sadave

G'day, long time since I've been here... Hope all are well!

The wife and I are heading to Cozumel for 10 days, to celebrate our 3rd Wedding Anniversary.

It's not really a dive trip (the reason for the trip is her brother's wedding in NYC, this is just tacked on to the end of it), its more of a relax on the beach and chill out for a bit... but we'll probably do some diving, if we feel like it.

As such, we won't be bringing any gear.

Both experienced divers, I'm Cave qualified, as well as Dolphin and Kiss. Happy to dive OC though, rather than rental units. Ange was O/C instructor, but hasn't renewed in 5 years.

Anyway, main reason for the post, I know there are no caves on Cozumel, but is it possible to do a day trip or even an overnight trip for some basic cave / cavern diving? (Ange isn't cave qualified and I haven't been in a cave since 2008).

Sorry for the non-Rebreather post, but this is the only non-Australian forum I'm on,so figured someone on here would be able to help.

Cheers, Dave

(oh, and any diving in NYC? Will be there for about 7 days before the wedding)

CCR-Wrecker

When will you be in NY?

When I last dived Cozumel I did it thru "Dive Cozumel" the owners name was Rolle and he had trimix . The shop was right in the center of town just off the cruise ship dock.

Regards,
Andy

Dan Wright

When will you be in New York? Of course this is the coldest part of our winter now. Waters are generally in the upper thirties, the coldest is at the end of February. Most gear can be rented, but it's going to be expensive. Drysuit is mandatory. Also, there are limited dive vessels that go out now.
Check: NJ Scuba Divers Message Board.com for postings on who is going out and when. It's entirely weather driven on if and when we can get out.
A few hard core boats do go out. Better bet here is after April, more boats in the water and warming up a bit. Have a good trip to NYC regardless, there is Plenty to do. Mexico sounds a lot more attractive right now!
-Dan

diver1369

Matt at Pro Tech runs, hands down, the best cave diving operation in that area. His main shop is in Playa, just across the channel from Cozumel, but they have a shop on Coz also (Welcome to ProTec Dive Center Cozumel Mexico - Cozumel Diving), albeit with somewhat more limited capabilities. It is entirely feassible to do day trips to the mainland to dive the (shallow, low flow) caves, but there is also at least one cave worth diving on (under) Cozumel. There is also at least one cave dive (on the mainland) that local operators will take non Cave certified divers on, from Dos Ochos to the Bat Cave, they call it a cavern dive, but you are out of the light zone for a while. They do have several divemasters with extra tanks along. Took my (PADI only) wife on that dive several years ago. Shallow, highly decorated, gorgeous dive, but not much penetration. Your wife will love it.

Best, John

sadave

Thanks guys, good info so far. Appreciate it.

Suppose I should have specified dates... NYC from 13th to 22nd April, Cozumel from 22nd April to 2nd May.



Wasn't aware of the cave on Cozumel, might have to have another look at that.


Cheers, Dave

battles2a5

Look up German Yanez in Cozumel. I did my normoxic trimix and full cave with him awhile back. He is great to work with and there are some really cool caves on Coz, much different than the typical yucatan peninsula caves. He can also organize technical charters over there. We did a 2.5hr drift dive on my normoxic course that was in my top 10. He was one of the test divers for the Nautilus CCR, so he should at least have access to sorb and CCR tanks. Hope this helps, have a great trip.

Atitlanccr

There is one cave that I have been to in Cozumel. Contact Oliver at techsmexdivers.com
Great guide/instructor and him and his wife have a B&B on Cozumel.
He is rebreather friendly and can supply you with your rebreather needs including tanks.
Keith

fireman

In my opinion the best dive operation in Cozumel is Aldora divers, they also have a great hotel--top notch service, only 5 suites. The dive operation has large steel tanks (120's and 100's) nitrox, long bottom times, small fast boats and great staff. And they run great trips over to the Cenotes on the mainland.

Bienvenidos - Aldora Divers | Only the best of Cozumel

Mike Young

+1 German is one of the best people on this earth

wedivebc

Having just spent 2 weeks diving with Protec in Tulum and I just left Cozumel this morning after a week over there I can say with fair certainty, Protec does not have a shop or CCR support on Cozumel and there are a couple of caves on the Island.
Don Labruzzo owns a shop over there called Deep Exposure that has boosted O2 and trimix. He has a very comfortable boat that does nice long days with lunch included not cattle boat dives. We were doing 2 90 minute dives every day.
If you are going to dive caves on the mainland without a doubt Protec is the only way to go either in Playa or Tulum.

__________________
Cheers,

Dave....

www.wedivebc.com