steve2281
July 27th, 2008, 10:13 PM
We made it home from Coz despite Delta airlines trying to screw us around. This was our 5th trip to Coz with the last visit being in 2003. Since many Coz dives are similar, I won't give a play by play report, but write a few rambling observations.
We made 14 dives visiting most the usual sites. The reefs looked healthy and marine life plentiful. Vis was as good as ever; we saw more nurse sharks, turtles, and rays than on any previous trip.
Dive Paradise: As on all our previous trips, our group used DP as our operator. Although DP is usually known for catering to large groups and new divers, they were fine for our group. Their big boats are very slow, but we really weren't in a big hurry. All dives were in the 45-60 min range; I can live with that too. The Bay Adventures packages are a pretty good value IMHO.
Hotel Cozumel: Again, our 5th time at Hotel Cozumel; just like home away from home. The hotel was busy but seems to be attracting more non-diving families than in previous years. Americans (US) are now a minority at the hotel; there were many Mexican and central American guests. Service was fine; the staff seemed eager to please. A problem with the AC in our room was quickly solved. We got the all inclusive package, although we ate in town most evenings.
Tropical Storm Dolly: Dolly blew thru during our second night on the island. After making two morning dives, we headed into the harbor to get more tanks. Before changing out the tanks, the crew told us they had just been informed that the harbor was closing and there would be no more diving that day; they took us back to the hotel. Back at the hotel, we were informed that Dolly was coming, the island was on a 7pm curfew, and no alcohol was being served anywhere on the island. Long night.
Dolly turned out to be a non-event with a little rain and wind. The harbor reopened at 11am the next morning and we went diving a couple hours late.
Dining: We ate at Quido's, Pepe's, Prima, Prima 2, and La Choza. Prices have gone up: $50-$100 for 2 people to eat at most the restaurants. (makes a guy want to stay at the hotel and eat the free food)
Cave diving with German: Probably the highlight of my trip; I arranged to spend my free day on the island cave diving. German promptly answered all my e-mails (weeks before the trip); he was on time to pick me up at the hotel, provided double Al80's, was a great guide, and was amazing running the reels.
We dived Aerolito; it was definately more challenging than I expected. After an easy entry, we went thru some large rooms for a couple hundred feet. We jumped right at the second marked jump and dropped thru a crack to reveal a vertical fissure-type tunnel with stalactites and stalagmites. This tunnel was narrow, most could be considered a restriction, and continued a couple hundred feet before ascending and opening back up. The cave was silty with dark walls. As we continued, German jumped again and marked a couple of T's. I turned the dive at 43 min 100 psi short of thirds in the 80's. I exited at a sight-seeing pace taking 46 min as we dived 89 min total. We passed thru areas of halocline at least a dozen times; you see the blurry water coming, then your mask just seems to go out of focus even though the water is still clear; makes a guy want to stay close to the line.
I wore a 4/3mm full suit and was planning to wear my shortie over it. German recommended I leave the shortie behind. I was expecting 78* water; my computer showed 80-81 degrees, yes, 81 degrees in a cave. I was comfortable in the 4/3 suit with a hood and was able to dive the Al 80's without added weight.
A second dive was hard to resist, but I had already promised to spend the aft with my wife.
Overall, a great trip; hope it's not 4-5 years before we can do it again.
We made 14 dives visiting most the usual sites. The reefs looked healthy and marine life plentiful. Vis was as good as ever; we saw more nurse sharks, turtles, and rays than on any previous trip.
Dive Paradise: As on all our previous trips, our group used DP as our operator. Although DP is usually known for catering to large groups and new divers, they were fine for our group. Their big boats are very slow, but we really weren't in a big hurry. All dives were in the 45-60 min range; I can live with that too. The Bay Adventures packages are a pretty good value IMHO.
Hotel Cozumel: Again, our 5th time at Hotel Cozumel; just like home away from home. The hotel was busy but seems to be attracting more non-diving families than in previous years. Americans (US) are now a minority at the hotel; there were many Mexican and central American guests. Service was fine; the staff seemed eager to please. A problem with the AC in our room was quickly solved. We got the all inclusive package, although we ate in town most evenings.
Tropical Storm Dolly: Dolly blew thru during our second night on the island. After making two morning dives, we headed into the harbor to get more tanks. Before changing out the tanks, the crew told us they had just been informed that the harbor was closing and there would be no more diving that day; they took us back to the hotel. Back at the hotel, we were informed that Dolly was coming, the island was on a 7pm curfew, and no alcohol was being served anywhere on the island. Long night.
Dolly turned out to be a non-event with a little rain and wind. The harbor reopened at 11am the next morning and we went diving a couple hours late.
Dining: We ate at Quido's, Pepe's, Prima, Prima 2, and La Choza. Prices have gone up: $50-$100 for 2 people to eat at most the restaurants. (makes a guy want to stay at the hotel and eat the free food)
Cave diving with German: Probably the highlight of my trip; I arranged to spend my free day on the island cave diving. German promptly answered all my e-mails (weeks before the trip); he was on time to pick me up at the hotel, provided double Al80's, was a great guide, and was amazing running the reels.
We dived Aerolito; it was definately more challenging than I expected. After an easy entry, we went thru some large rooms for a couple hundred feet. We jumped right at the second marked jump and dropped thru a crack to reveal a vertical fissure-type tunnel with stalactites and stalagmites. This tunnel was narrow, most could be considered a restriction, and continued a couple hundred feet before ascending and opening back up. The cave was silty with dark walls. As we continued, German jumped again and marked a couple of T's. I turned the dive at 43 min 100 psi short of thirds in the 80's. I exited at a sight-seeing pace taking 46 min as we dived 89 min total. We passed thru areas of halocline at least a dozen times; you see the blurry water coming, then your mask just seems to go out of focus even though the water is still clear; makes a guy want to stay close to the line.
I wore a 4/3mm full suit and was planning to wear my shortie over it. German recommended I leave the shortie behind. I was expecting 78* water; my computer showed 80-81 degrees, yes, 81 degrees in a cave. I was comfortable in the 4/3 suit with a hood and was able to dive the Al 80's without added weight.
A second dive was hard to resist, but I had already promised to spend the aft with my wife.
Overall, a great trip; hope it's not 4-5 years before we can do it again.