First Diving Trip

[wwdiver]

My first trip to Cozumel was about a week after getting certified. Don't know how smart it was but we took a bit of a different approach. While always respecting the things we had learned in certification class we approached the dives as more of an amusement park thrill ride experience. For instance, while diving Cedral Pass the current was kicking along pretty "sporty" (real hard I know now). My buddy and I were upside down and backwards, splayed out with all four limbs and grinning like nuts the whole time; had the times of our lives. Burned through all of our air in like 20 minutes and didn't know why everyone else was still under water while we were sitting on the boat. The point is, it didn't matter. Have fun, remember the skills you know from certification, be safe and enjoy the ride.

[magilla]

I used to dive with Aqua Safari but they don't have the small boats as one person said do the small boats they usually have 6 divers onboard and they get you to the dive sites faster. I have dove with Paradise the last few times in Cozumel. Apple runs a good shop they treat you nice. We are getting to Cozumel on the 17th for two weeks. I think I am going to try Dive Martin one of my wife's clients recommended them, they have the fast boats and don't charge extra to go to some of the farther away sites like Punta Sur. Have a great time this will be our 8th trip, Cozumel is addicting. We were in Freeport last fall and all we kept saying is we should have gone to Cozumel.

[awap]

Do you think you are ready for 80 ft dives on a wall that may not have a hard bottom without going quite a bit deeper?? That is what most Cozumel dive ops do for a first dive each day and that is what most diver on the boat will expect. A few ops like Dive Palancar do 4 single tank dives a day which would allow you to just do the shallow (20 to 60 ft) dives. Or you could hire your own DM and stay on the shallow side of the reefs until you are ready for deeper dives. Make sure you work this out with you dive op so you or others on the boat will not be disappointed.

[firstdive2005]

>

Originally Posted by awap

Do you think you are ready for 80 ft dives on a wall that may not have a hard bottom without going quite a bit deeper?? <

Thats a good question a new diver should ask themself.

.
>That is what most Cozumel dive ops do for a first dive each day and that is what most diver on the boat will expect.<

Not sure why you would say this as it is not true. Most ops will make sure you can handle the deep dive. If you want under 60fsw then they will do that.

<A few ops like Dive Palancar do 4 single tank dives a day which would allow you to just do the shallow (20 to 60 ft) dives.>

Not sure how you do your diving pal but this is an erroneous statement also as far as having to stay shallow. Also nearly every op can take you out in the afternoon if you want.


<Or you could hire your own DM and stay on the shallow side of the reefs until you are ready for deeper dives.>

Doing an AOW would certainly be a good idea if you want to go deeper.


<Make sure you work this out with you dive op so you or others on the boat will not be disappointed.

>

I'm pretty sure most ops do ask these questions about your skill level. Also on the boat trip to the site the dms generally do a dive profile with everyone to make sure all is good. kev

[chace_nicole]

On most dives in Cozumel, you can avoid the wall with no visible bottom with the exception of a couple sites. There are many sites that you can swim out over the edge, but you don't have to.

I did my first dive in Coz on Palancar Caves. The name had me intimidated, they were more like swim throughs than caves. Just be honest about your experience and comfort level like most have said. I was given the option to stay more shallow than 80ft and whether or not to do the swim throughs. You can just drift over them if you choose not to do them. I was glad I did the swim throughs, they were beautiful!

Aqua Safari does have a small boat, the Belinda...just book in advance as she fills up quickly. Scuba Mau has great service & DMs, Opal is a gem. I can also recommend Scuba with Alison, she fills up quickly too.

Have fun & be sure and let us know how it went!

[scubastud]

Well I read so much about Cozumel I guess we will just have to look into booking a trip.
Hope you have time to write a dive report when you return. Have fun!

[mcr0112]

My brother & I dove with Dove Paradise and had no problems with staying shallower or not going thourgh the swim thourghs. I enjoyed swimming above the other divers and seeing the bubbles come up thourgh the reef. You could follow thier progress. Do let you DM what you want. Or as an option hire your own DM and dive your profile. Coz was great.

[Nuts4koi]

I too am a new diver. Probably a silly question, but is there any problem with booking with a dive op as a solo?

[DevilDiver]

Originally Posted by Nuts4koi

I too am a new diver. Probably a silly question, but is there any problem with booking with a dive op as a solo?

No, just tell them up front and they will either find you a instabuddy or you will dive with the DM.

[Travelnsj]

Originally Posted by Nuts4koi

I too am a new diver. Probably a silly question, but is there any problem with booking with a dive op as a solo?

I travel solo all the time....never a worry usually someone needs a dive buddy or dive with the DM