Has anyone been diving in Cozumel lately?

[Lolly1]

Hi everyone!
My husband, parents, and I have a dive trip planned to Cozumel for next month. We know that there has been a lot of damage due to the hurricanes. I was just wondering if anyone has seen first hand what kind of reef damage there is and what the diving is like. We are planning to do about 14 dives including some deep and night dives. Any input is appreciated.

 

[MonaLisa]

No, I haven't been there lately, but I'm planning on going in March for a week of diving. Maybe we'll see you there :beer:

Lisa

 

[gdm42001]

Check out this thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=679119&highlight=Cozumel

There has been some damage and the hotels are not looking so hot

 

[gitsumpottery]

hi,
i've done some of the recent reports on that thread about cozumel. i went the second week of january and loved it. sure there is some damage to the reef and town, but the locals are working hard to bring back the hotels, etc. the diving was still very good, and i thoroughly enjoyed it.

in fact: i am going back there on the 19 of Feb. for a week! so i can give another report after that.

Zac

 

[gitsumpottery]

the night dives would still be very fun. we saw a lot of fish, sharks, rays, octopus, etc... they are all still there.

the shallower reefs are the ones that got sand blown over them, but it's not like they are gone. 90-95% of the shallow reefs are still there. Palancar Gardens was still awesome, Delilas Reef and Paradise are still very good shallow dives.

Zac

 

[Lolly1]

That is great to hear. Thanks for the info. After the storms we had contimplated going somewhere else, but we all love it there so much and we figured they needed our tourist money the most. I'm anxious to hear updates after your trip. Have a great time!

 

[gitsumpottery]

i'm sure we will have tons of fun!

yeah, in january, it was a family trip with mom, dad, the brothers and wives/girlfriends... but this trip is just me and my dad. We are staying in one of Papa Hogs' rooms with 5 days of diving with them included. flights right now are super cheap.

Who do you dive with down there?

Zac

 

[Lolly1]

Last time we were there we dove with a different shop (I can't remember the name of it). This time we are staying at and diving with Aqua Safari. They are located right downtown San Miguel and have rooms right above the shop. From what I understand there is nothing fancy about the rooms, but they are clean and air conditioned...perfect for a dive trip. They also have lockers there to keep your gear in.

 

[gitsumpottery]

Yeah that's the same with Papa Hogs. Actually we just left our stuff with them when we stayed at a condo too. They would just have it ready on the boat in the morning for us to put on! But this time we are staying in one of their rooms right by the shop. Free breakfast in the morning too!

My dad's been going down there for years, and he really likes diving with Papa Hogs.

Zac

 

[yamaha racer]

ya its fine

 

[aurorafish]

I was there 2 weeks ago, the waves were really rough. So, we went freshwater diving in Cenote Dos Ojos and had a great time. Its cavern diving in an underground river system. I did not plan on it before we went to Mexico, but will be planning at least a day there again next time we go down.

 

[gitsumpottery]

The cavern diving is in Cozumel? Or did you go to the mainland?

Zac

 

[aurorafish]

No its on the mainland take the ferry to Playa de Carma and its about 45 minutes south.

 

[sean48183]

Just got back from Cancun and thought the reefs looked pretty good considering. The only reef I thought looked really rough was the punta nizuc reef right off the shore at the south end of cancun. Looked to be a combination of hurricane damage and pollution. Hair algae everywhere. Looked like my tank about 6 months ago.

 

[gitsumpottery]

yeah there was a lot of hair algae in cozumel too. next time you're in cancun, you should try visiting cozumel for an afternoon of dives. it's well worth it!

Zac

 

[fishykeeper]

I am planning a trip to either cozumel or playa del carmen. I have been to cozumel a couple of times but never to playa. Is there any good diving in playa or do you just go to Cozumel sites? The other couples I am going with aren't interested in doing much diving and want a newer all inclusive resort. Any suggestions?

 

[gitsumpottery]

From what i've heard, you're better off going to cozumel to dive. I've never dove on the Playa side, but I've talked to several people that liked Cozumel way better.

Zac

 

[irishpete]

I am going in May, does anyone have recent underwater photos of Cozumel reefs?

 

[gitsumpottery]

yes.... let me find them.

 

[Wryknow]

Playa is good diving: lots of soft corrals and fish but the reefs are much better in Cozumel. Also, the main Cozumel reefs have the advantage of being on the lee side of the island so the waves and consequent silt were pretty tame there for the most part. About half the days I was in Tulum/Playa in February 2005 the waves were too high for good diving.