Cozemel or Hawaii

[heydn62]

If its an all-expense paid trip, I'd choose Hawaii, simply because I know I'm much less likely to get the chance to dive there. If I'm footing the bill myself, I'll settle for Cozumel. (Yeah, right, settle for Cozumel - life is tough).

For the poll - I'm going to Hawaii.

[Defman]

Never been to HI, but I do know it's very expensive. CZM has a very good history and is consistently voted as a top dive destination, HI isn't usually on that list...

[Suther2136]

Been to both and Cozumel is by far cheaper. Hawaii has some unique critters and seascape, but overall Cozumel is better.

[bottomdweller]

I have been to both Hawaii & Cozumel & as stated before I could spend 2 weeks in Cozumel for the price of 1 week in Hawaii.
If you have never been to Hawaii It is a great place, but once I visited each I would rather go back to Cozumel.
8-1/2 hour flight to Hawaii or 3-1/2 flight to Cozumel, more diving & drinking time in Cozumel.

[scubAfr33k]

Never been to Hawaii, but Cozumel was amazing: great vis, abundant wildlife, healthy coral...can't recommend it enough.

[Coaster]

Maui diving was great from shore and boat. Best Western was priced very affordable. We ate where the locals eat, and at a reasonable price.

[LCF]

They are, quite simply, different, and a lot depends on HOW you want to dive, and whether you want to do anything else.

Maui has a lot of lodging, and occupancy rates are down and deals can be had, particularly if you book airfare, car rental and lodging as a package. Maui has a LOT of very good shore diving, and the costs for doing that are minimal -- You pick up the "Maui Shore Dives" book, rent some tanks, and you're off. My husband and I have almost completely given up charter boats there, because the shore diving is easy, and you see the same animals on your own schedule and without a lot of other divers. That said, one day out on the boats is fun, too. Food can be quite reasonable if you stay out of the tourist restaurants (we love Maui Tacos). There is a lot of other stuff to do on Maui, if you have not been there before -- whale watching, Haleakala Crater, driving around the south end, visiting the Protea farms . . .

Cozumel is a diving destination. Other than shopping or the spas in the resorts, there isn't much else there. You don't need a car. Essentially ALL the diving is off boats, in part because the reefs aren't close inshore and in part because it's all drift diving, so if you swim very far out, you may not be able to get back to where you started. The visibility is better than Maui, and the reef structure is more dramatic, although there isn't a lot of soft stuff there, either. There is more color. Night diving off Cozumel is amazing, and you can always take a day trip to the mainland to dive the cenotes, if that appeals to you. There are some very nice and reasonable restaurants, if you get off the cruise ship row along the seawall. On the flip side, my husband has gotten sick there every trip, but never in Maui!

At any rate, I'm not so sure the equation is as one-sided as the prior posts would have it. Maui can be affordable and has some advantages (American money, American water systems, readily available shore diving).

[b1draper]

Well Cozumel is closer than Hawaii and the travel to Cozumel is a LOT cheaper. Plus you can usually barter in Mexico and save a tun.

[DevilDiver]

Given the choice not considering $$.. Hawaii. Have been to Hawaii twice (Maui, Kauai) the diving can be great depending on the island and locations and should be done at least once in your life.

Depending on your location I am not sure Coz is always the cheapest air fair. If your from the west coast Hawaii could be a great deal while the central and east coast states could be quite more expensive.

Personally being from TX air fair to Coz is very seasonal. Through fall and summer when the charter flights stop running air alone can run $600-1100 RT/PP while during the summer you can get a charter for $99-200 RT/PP.

From my stand point it is about air fair. I believe you can find a pretty good deal for lodging/diving at either location (Hawaii is more $$- good deal is relative to location).

Bottom line here is both locations are great, if you have a really good deal to go for Hawaii you might want to jump at it, if not Cozumel...

** One difference with Hawaii is you can stay at some unbelievably nice locations ($$) where Coz there is not a huge difference in most of the big resorts.

[heydn62]

As far as what you would see while diving, what would you expect in Hawaii that you wouldn't find in Cozumel?