Cozumel in March!

[Diver Kat]

Originally Posted by SteveR

I am going to be in Coz on my own trip with DW (non-diver) March 4-10. Still looking for a dive op to book a few days of diving with. No dive buddy.

We're there the 7th - 16th ... check out Scuba with Alison. She runs a great op, has a comfy boat, and is always a ton of fun!

[SteveR]

Originally Posted by Diver Kat

We're there the 7th - 16th ... check out Scuba with Alison. She runs a great op, has a comfy boat, and is always a ton of fun!

I did. She will not pick up at my hotel pier so I ruled her out. There are many other dive ops that will pick me up at the pier so I see no reason to have to deal with taxi cab rides early in the morning if I don't have to.

My list so far is:
Aqua Safari
Dive with Martin
Aldora
Blue Angel
Blue XT
and maybe Papa Hogs

[azdiver]

Originally Posted by SteveR

I did. She will not pick up at my hotel pier so I ruled her out. There are many other dive ops that will pick me up at the pier so I see no reason to have to deal with taxi cab rides early in the morning if I don't have to.

My list so far is:
Aqua Safari
Dive with Martin
Aldora
Blue Angel
Blue XT
and maybe Papa Hogs

Have heard good things about blue xt.

[georoc01]

Originally Posted by SteveR

I did. She will not pick up at my hotel pier so I ruled her out. There are many other dive ops that will pick me up at the pier so I see no reason to have to deal with taxi cab rides early in the morning if I don't have to.

My list so far is:
Aqua Safari
Dive with Martin
Aldora
Blue Angel
Blue XT
and maybe Papa Hogs

All are good dive ops, the question then becomes what are you looking for in a dive op. You have low cost dive ops, some that use small fast boats, some that use larger, slower boats, and some boutique shops that provide a higher level of service like maintaining and cleaning your gear for you for a premium.

[rednose83]

Originally Posted by SteveR

I did. She will not pick up at my hotel pier so I ruled her out. There are many other dive ops that will pick me up at the pier so I see no reason to have to deal with taxi cab rides early in the morning if I don't have to.

My list so far is:
Aqua Safari
Dive with Martin
Aldora
Blue Angel
Blue XT
and maybe Papa Hogs

I've heard good things about Dive with Martin and Papa Hogs but i've nver used either.

[Diver Kat]

Originally Posted by SteveR

I did. She will not pick up at my hotel pier so I ruled her out. There are many other dive ops that will pick me up at the pier so I see no reason to have to deal with taxi cab rides early in the morning if I don't have to.

My list so far is:
Aqua Safari
Dive with Martin
Aldora
Blue Angel
Blue XT
and maybe Papa Hogs

Yes, it's a drawback that she doesn't pick up too far north, since her boat is in the south marina. For us it was always worth it - it's a comfort level thing for me.

We've also used Papa Hogs and Blue Angel in the past, both run good, fast six pack boats. Have never had the opportunity to use Blue XTsea, but she has a very loyal fan club that raves about her service.

[WaScubaDude]

Dove blue angel
and DWM and both were fine.
At DWM our favorite DM, Pablo, went out on his own. He can be found at SCUBA PABLO - TWO TANKS ONLY 70 USD !!!
Great guy who loves diving and has lived in Coz his entire life. Usually less then 4 on his boat and several dives were just me, my wife and pablo. Quite reasonable prices as well.

[rayaa3]

I've used Pappa Hogs a few times, and enjoy them. They are relatively low cost/low frills. However, they offer all the services I care about.

Let me explain what you get:

Small fast 6 diver boats, with 1 captain, 1 DM, that's it. There are no heads on the boat. However, We would get a pickup about 8:30 from the pier, and be back by 11:30...an hour or more before the big boats get back (hotel cozumel and resort). I don't think they'll clean or stow your gear (never asked them to), the DM and Captains are great, and it's nice being in small groups (especially for night dives). They seem to group by experience level when they can.

For SI they pass out bottled water, and head for the beach. No fruit or sodas, but hey, that's not what I want in a dive op, that's what I want for lunch.

I want my dive op to pick me up/leave on time (check, every time)
Get me to the water fast and safe (check)
Let me dive my air/computer no deco limits (usually they cap you at an hour, maybe 10 minutes beyond that...no matter what, so they aren't late on the afternoon schedule) I'll give them a 95% check on that last one.

The big boats are nice and roomy, but sometimes get back as late as 2:30, hell, I'm ready to do a shore tank by then, or alternatively pass out in front of the pool.

If there was a downside to small boats they can feel cramped compared to the big 40 footers, but being faster and more nimble....you don't spend as much time on them. Technically they are less stable on the water than some of the big boats, but this isn't a concern in Cozumel, as you dive the protected side of the island, and it's like diving in a lake most day (CALM).

anyways, just thought I'de throw another hat in the ring for pappa hogs, no matter what, you'll love cozumel. Have a good time.