To dive Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel, or Both?

[rbraatz]

We're going to be in Playa Del Carmen over the labor day weekend and if I only had 2 day available for diving would it be best to take the ferry to Cozumel and dive there from both days or dive the Playa Del Carmen side one day and Cozumel another?

Cozumel being a prime diving location I'm tempted to dive Cozumel the entire time, but since I'm not staying there it's not as convenient.

Oh also.. are the morning dives or afternoon dives better?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Randy

[snagel]

My opinion is that Coz has better diving, but PDC isn't bad either. If you are staying in PDC, I would dive one day there and then a day in Coz via the ferry. My only reasoning is that the hassle of taking the ferry on two days isn't worth a 2nd day in Coz (my opinion).

I'm not sure I have an opinion on morning or afternoon dives - they both are good. I'm sure if you book some dives that the operators are going to want to get an early start either way.

Snagel

[ParrotheadDiver]

Morning dives are better...the sunlight hits the reefs better and makes the colors pop....but I think it would be difficult to catch the ferry in the early morning to be over to catch your dive boat in Cozumel...check with your dive op to see when and where they leave from...if it is from the town pier you might be able to catch your dive boat before it leaves...since the ferry pier is pretty close...

[jbarben1]

Cozumel for sure one day - the other day I would suggest reef early am then cenotes in afternoon. Cenotes are underground and underwater caverns - kinda like carlsbad caverns but underwater - really cool

[Aquatrax]

Jason at Fantasea Dive in Playa can hook you up for both. He is Playacountryboy here on the forum. Shoot him a PM

[firstdive2005]

Originally Posted by rbraatz

We're going to be in Playa Del Carmen over the labor day weekend and if I only had 2 day available for diving would it be best to take the ferry to Cozumel and dive there from both days or dive the Playa Del Carmen side one day and Cozumel another?

Cozumel being a prime diving location I'm tempted to dive Cozumel the entire time, but since I'm not staying there it's not as convenient.

Oh also.. are the morning dives or afternoon dives better?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Randy

Hi Randy! If I had only the 2 days to dive I would dive Coz one day and do a Cenote the next. The fresh water really cleans the gear well. However if your dive experience count is correct maybe just ocean dive for now unless your bouyancy is solid.
Catching the ferry in the morning is not a big deal really just catch the one that will get you there by 8am. You can leave your gear with the dive op and it wont be so labourous the next day. The issue you might run into is if you are flying out the next day do you have a place to dry your gear? Or are you renting a wetsuit? Nosy arent I. Just a thought if you wanted you could leave your gear to hang at the shop and rent car to tour the island for the rest of the day. Might be fun, no it would be. Lots of nooks and crannys to explore.
Also if I may, email Opal at Scubamaucozumel.com and she will look after you like a king. They are a wonderful dive op. She would give you lots to do as plan also when your done your dives. She would make sure your dives would be the best for your dive experience. Just tell her Kevin told you about her shop. I wish you well on your trip. O by the way if you elect to dive PDC for one day that wont ruin your trip, there are some cool things to see there also. Coz reefs are quite alot better though. kev

[rbraatz]

Thanks for the recommendations. Dive instructor with ST referred us to Luis Cabanas and we've booked our dives with him. His coordinator, Linda, has been extremely helpful and very nice. It looks like we will be doing a private dive (just us 2 and him) next Friday, which will be great. Our plan is to dive in Coz on Friday, and then plan to relax and chill at the all-inclusive hotel for the next 2 days.. unless of course, my girlfriend enjoyed it sooo much that she wants to dive again on Saturday. (I may decide to do that anyway). Depending on how Friday goes, we'll decide from there if a Cenote is best, just diving from PDC, or traveling back to Coz.

Weblink for Luis Cabanas:
Cozumel - Cozumel Diving / Cozumel Dive Shops / Adventure Discovery - Luis Cabañas

Oh.. yes, we have our own personal gear and 3mm shorties.

Thanks!
Randy