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Topic: Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya (Read 11304 times)
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alcina
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Western Australia
Posts: 3753
Missing my Diva
  
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #15 on: November 16, 2004, 06:31:30 PM »
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Gosh, the more I read, the more positive I become about the whole thing! We only had one dive site where we had crashers...and our DM warned us in advance and said to just group up and let them pass. We did and then once again had the whole dive site to ourselves!
I wonder if this is one of the benefits of diving off smaller, faster boats...maybe they can access sites that they wouldn't be able to otherwise and then choose not to dive where everyone else is already (or is likely to be)? Not that we dived too much off the beaten path, but we didn't drop in where there were already people...
All in all, I'd say that we totally lucked out and had one of those (seemingly) rare "near perfect" Coz trips!!  
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Addict & Shopaholic
www.OceansByAnderson.com
Canon 40D, Canon 10-22, Canon 100 & 60 macros, Sigma 17-70, some other lenses; Woody's dioptre; Subal housing; Inon 220s + Inon 240 strobe
Subal housing for 20D - FOR SALE
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hark
Damsel Fish
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Collierville, TN
Posts: 130
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #18 on: November 18, 2004, 01:52:46 PM »
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For a small boat operator, try Liquid Blue Divers. They have a small 6 pack boat and use LP steel 90's and 120's for longer bottom times. Roberto and Michaela are the owners/operators.
Check them out at: http://www.liquidbluedivers.com/indexx.html
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Oly 5050 and PT-015, Ikelite one arm tray, deluxe arm and DS-125, INON UWL-100, 40G Image Tank(now using lap top), use of wife's Fuji 810, Fx 701
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bpzdiver
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Bonaire!!!
Posts: 1567
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #19 on: December 11, 2004, 11:04:01 AM »
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We're looking at going back to Coz, give it another shot. Already have noted the dive ops others have said were good on previous postings here. But I'd be curious to hear other people's recommendations of their favorite dive operation/hotel. As I've only been there once, and there are so many to choose from, I'm looking for a fast boat and staying near town or (if it makes more sense) recommendation about hotels/condos/homes for rent toward the south end where the ride isn't as long to the primary dive sites. A photo-friendly operation is a big plus (which probably excludes the fast boats?)
Also curious to hear if anyone has ever rented a condo/house for a week or more instead of staying at the hotels.
Thanks.
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Nikon D90, Nauticam Housing ("Ginger"), Magnifying Viewfinder, Dual Inon S-2000 strobes, ULCS arms, 60, 105VR, 10-17mm lenses. FIX LED500DX modeling light.
http://www.reefphoto.com Supporting your addiction since 2004.
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bpzdiver
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Bonaire!!!
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #21 on: December 12, 2004, 06:41:48 PM »
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M:
Form the caption on the picture, I take it the hotel is down by Paso del Cedral? That's a lot closer to the dive sites than a place by town, right? I think we dove a sight with that name, and I remember seeing it when we drove around the island.
Thanks.
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Nikon D90, Nauticam Housing ("Ginger"), Magnifying Viewfinder, Dual Inon S-2000 strobes, ULCS arms, 60, 105VR, 10-17mm lenses. FIX LED500DX modeling light.
http://www.reefphoto.com Supporting your addiction since 2004.
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jlyle
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Hermosa Beach, CA
Posts: 1239
Didn't I see you here six months ago?
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #22 on: December 12, 2004, 07:13:03 PM »
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We have stayed at Scuba Club Cozumel [ www.scubaclubcozumel.com ] twenty times. It's an all inclusive, the food is good, it's near to town, unlimited shore diving, and ambience. It's not your cookie cutter Holiday Inn clone, no phones, no TV (they do have hair dryers, clock radios in the rooms and wireless internet in the bar!). The boats are not "fast" but aren't that slow either. All boats have shade, camera rinse tanks, heads, radios, safety equipment. It takes about an hour to reach the farthest south reefs which is a rather pleasant time to enjoy being on the water, getting to know your fellow divers, etc. If you make your diving preferences known, the DMs will try and accommodate you as much as possible. The best way to go is with eight divers you know so that you form your own dive group. Or, you can hire your own DM for the two of you and go off and do what you want! My favorite DM is Jesus Zetina; we always dive the second boat dive with 36% EAN and I treat Jesus to a tank, too - our dives are typically more than anhour.
My webpage with reports and pictures:
http://chemistry.csudh.edu/faculty/jim/Jim'sWeb_Page.htm
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jim
Olympus E-330/Ikelite housing, dual DS-125 strobes, ulcs arms; Zuiko 14-54mm, Zuiko 7-14mm, Sigma 105mm.
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alcina
Great White
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Western Australia
Posts: 3753
Missing my Diva
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #23 on: December 13, 2004, 01:51:35 AM »
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We dive with Blue Angel and stay at the on site hotel La Reina. The hotel isn't El Presidente, but good digs for diving at a good price.
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Pretty sure that the hotel was called Caribe Blu in Sept/Oct when we were there? Seems like the same operation (Blue Angel) for diving and the hotel looks real similar? If so, here's my trip report...http://www.digitaldiver.net/trip_reports.php?reportID=128&PHPSESSID=4f28fb7c69aa16897f24d8bd9fd11f88
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Addict & Shopaholic
www.OceansByAnderson.com
Canon 40D, Canon 10-22, Canon 100 & 60 macros, Sigma 17-70, some other lenses; Woody's dioptre; Subal housing; Inon 220s + Inon 240 strobe
Subal housing for 20D - FOR SALE
| « Last Edit: December 13, 2004, 01:52:39 AM by alcina » |
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meister
Guest
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #24 on: December 13, 2004, 02:22:35 AM »
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M:
Form the caption on the picture, I take it the hotel is down by Paso del Cedral? That's a lot closer to the dive sites than a place by town, right? I think we dove a sight with that name, and I remember seeing it when we drove around the island.
Thanks.
That's probably the folder I put the picture into, it means nothing. La Reina (sp?) is much farther north toward town than Cedar Pass. The hotel is about five minute walk north of Papa Hogs and Hog Town Cafe. It's about fifteen minute walk south of town. Cab fare is about $3.50 each way, I give $5.
Certainly are varying thoughts regarding cattle boats and diving with larger groups, but something that merits thought. Do you want to get to dive site fast and dive with five other divers or spend considereable time getting to and from the dive sites and be in the water with dozen or more divers? Some people like the larger boats, some don't.
Also, unless you cherish time limits on your dives, you might want to do a little research on the Undercurrent site and get yourself an operator who gives you the bottom time you've paid for. 
La Reina (sp?) was Caribe Blue before that, The Lorena before that, and La Perla before that. 
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| « Last Edit: December 13, 2004, 02:36:42 AM by meister » |
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duncan
Heretic
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Boston, MA
Posts: 6409
Memories are made of bits
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #27 on: December 17, 2004, 05:07:05 PM »
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anyone know the Reef Club Cozumel (dive operator: Sand Dollar Sports) ?
opinions please, my wife just called and said she's willing to book a "last minute" getaway
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Duncan
C-5050Z (x2), PT-015 (x2), UCL-165 (x2), UWL-100, dome, D-180, ULCS tray & arms
all this gear and I still need warm water
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scottyb
Damsel Fish
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Spicewood (Austin), Texas
Posts: 145
I am a Digital Diver!
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #28 on: December 19, 2004, 11:49:00 AM »
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I have been to Cozumel for over a dozen trips. Since it is only a 2 1/2 hour flight for us, we have recently made it a 3 day trip each year. We now save the long trips for live-aboards and longer hauls. There are many small operatrors that you can use and develope a relationship with. The one I use is an owner/operator and only carries 6 divers. He will take you anywhere for as many dives as you wish, as long as it's unanimous on the boat. The last trip, my wife and I were on the boat alone with he and his friend. We were able to dive some areas that were not nearly as dramatic as the big name sites but yielded some nice macro shots. We seldom run into other groups but that's mainly because our dive guide tries to avoid them and because we dive at different times than the bulk of the operators. There are several owner/operators like him on the island.
While there is no denying that Cozumel has became very busy, it is still high on our list based on; distance, cost, diving, food, and culture. You can go there a inexpensively as you can stand or stay at some pretty nice places. You can even rent a villa or home for a larger group. I rented a 5 BR home on the south end for a company trip once, and it was fabulous. We love Cozumel and would feel very comfortable having a home of some sort there some day.
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Fuji S2 Pro, Aquatica Housing, 12-24, 60, 105, Dual SB-105's, TLC Arms
IHBA National Rescue Coordinator
http://www.team-rescue.com
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duncan
Heretic
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Boston, MA
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Memories are made of bits
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Re:Cozumel, Cancun & the Riviera Maya
« Reply #29 on: December 19, 2004, 04:33:13 PM »
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I have been to Cozumel for over a dozen trips ... [snip] ... The one I use is an owner/operator and only carries 6 divers ...
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... are you going to share his name & contact details? 
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Duncan
C-5050Z (x2), PT-015 (x2), UCL-165 (x2), UWL-100, dome, D-180, ULCS tray & arms
all this gear and I still need warm water
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...have to say I liked Caribe Blu better 
