First Diving Trip

[mollymae006]

My husband and I are going to Cozumel July 11-18; we are newly certified divers and this will be our first dive except for the training dives of course. I had a pretty hard time at first as I was scared to death; but I ended up enjoying diving during certification.

My question is do any of you have suggestions for us as newbies such as which dive shop to use, where to go, etc. My main concern is that we dive with someone that has a lot of patience and repects our newbie status.

Any other advice is welcome.


Thank you,
Tracy

[Foo2]

Hi Tracy!
Welcome to ST and the most excellent world of diving!!! While you are searching for a dive op, I would recommend that you go on a smaller boat. They usually hold about 6 divers. They are typically more expensive, but it might suite you better being a newbie. Be sure to tell the company when you are booking and then tell the DM again when you get there that this is your first dive. The only dive op I've ever used in Coz is Blue XT Sea They only have small boats and a great staff. There are many others and you will get tons of referrals here. Take your time and read everything on their websites. Have fun!!!

[MSilvia]

I dove with Xtabay divers, and had a fantastic experience with them. One of the divers in our group was worse than new... she had been certified years ago, and hadn't been in the water since. The DM couldn't have been more attentive, and made sure everyone had a great time.

[DevilDiver]

Where are you staying?

There are a lot of great operators on Cozumel and you will get a lot of opinions. Truth is you will be fine with almost any of them, just explain to the shop and DM's that you are a newer diver and want to stay within your comfort zone.

If you are staying at a location where shore dives are possible you could get in your first there just to get used to it, check your gear and weight before you get on a boat.

It is very easy diving for the most part and you will have a blast...........

[rayaa3]

for first time trip/new divers - I liked Dive House, out of fiesta americana hotel/resort...next trip - Papa Hogs.

PH is great, but with only one DM per boat - it feels a little hard to ask questions, or get personal attention some times.

ray

[Smoochy]

I too use BlueXTsea while in Cozumel. I would definitely recommend them. Christi runs a great operation, and will have her boats pick you up *almost* anywhere. Another thing she will do is require you to use a private Dive Master since these are some of your first dives. The cost is $55 for the day, and I HIGHLY suggest doing this even if you don't use her operation.

I was certified last May. In preperation for our upcoming Cozumel trip, I went on 2 rig trips out to the Gulf... it turns out I was a decent diver, better than our "DM" that was provided on one of the boats (although that's a different story) So when I heard from Christi that she was going to require me to have a private DM, I was a little taken back. I had 15 dives, 4 of which were in the ocean, and I thought I was damn good... well now I REALLY thank her for having that policy. On my first dive there, I was underweighted (weighted for gulf ocean diving, and apparently not Cozumel salt water) and I couldn't hold my safety stop. I just got an uneasy feeling, and that DM was able to keep me calm and hold me at my safety stop. Without him, I could have, and probably would have had a bad experience.

Now that I have rambled on.... lol the point is that a private dive master is a relatively cheap way to ensure that you will have a great first few dives ever, and introduction to Cozumel drift diving.

Have fun! I will be there the week before!

[mcr0112]

We used Dive Paradise and had a private DM the first day ($35.00) as it had been a while since diving and never dove where there were strong currents. It helped out. Would highly recommend the private DM for atleast a day or two.

[firstdive2005]

Hi Give Opal an email at Scubamaucozumel.com she wont charge for the extra dm thing. She usually just tells the dm to look after you a little more. She can make sure your boat is balanced and you wont have to worry at all. Just do a shore dive first to give your self some confidence if you need that. Dont get all worried about diving there, you will be weighted properly and the guys that dive with you are amazing. Opal is so attentive for your needs. The plus is they are so much fun. I will be there July 19th diving with them. I hope you have the time of your life. I know you will.

[firstdive2005]

[quote=Smoochy;308289]
On my first dive there, I was underweighted (weighted for gulf ocean diving, and apparently not Cozumel salt water) and I couldn't hold my safety stop. I just got an uneasy feeling, and that DM was able to keep me calm and hold me at my safety stop. Without him, I could have, and probably would have had a bad experience.quote]

Although I dont doubt you had a great time with your extra help and it does help. I would bet large that your anxiety at the new dive site played a huge roll in your under weight issue. When we are newer divers our bouyancy can change alot with nerves being on edge. I have been to both places and my weight does not change. Was there any deviation in your kit that you used at Coz? Maybe Im wrong. Did you shed any weight as your dives progressed? did you even try to take less weight. All that being said it's better to be a little overweighted than under isnt it. Your report sounds like you had a lot of fun, thats great. I'm not trying to be negative with your abilities, I hope that did not seem that way. My hope is to help. I think you will find as your dives build and your skills become really muscle memory for you, your fun will go through the roof. My mentors where great at reigning me in as I was always so wanting to be like them in their confidence and skill, all it took was diving. Go figure. seeya kev

[mr_tabasco]

I would recommend Papa Hogs and just tell them you want a private DM for you and your husband. We were in the exact same situation when we went last October and that is what we did. We went out most days with me, my wife and a DM. [FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Rosendo was our DM the entire week and he is wonderful for new divers. You should probably call Margaret and see if Rosendo is back since he was getting his instructors certificate when we were there earlier this month. The best advice I can't give as a newbie is to speak up and let the DM and Dive Op know what you are comfortable with and what you aren't. If you tell them they can deal with it. I woudl also recomend a shore dive with a private DM just to check out your gear and weighting. Most of all have fun, relax and enjoy![/font]


Oh one other thing, my wife was very tense during the classes but once we got in the ocean and saw all of the marine life she forgot all about being nervous. I guess she just need some scenery to take her mind off of things.