Cozumel Dive Trip Report

[lars2923]

I'll be your first post. Since I just returned from a trip to Cozumel.
Dive House has been a favorite of mind for many years.
The staff are very friendly, experienced and accomodating.
They cater to almost any of your needs. Once they see you're diving
experience and feel confident with your abilities, the DM's will be very
generous with letting you dive deep for longer and maybe even a little deco.
(A little because they know they have to spend a longer surface interval and
that means other will have to wait. They are trying to be curtious to all.
Just let them know you went into deco. They would rather know than not)

I recommend renting the 100's for your deeper dives at the south end of the island.
Like Punta Sur (Devils Throat) which is probably one of my favorite sites.
Come out of the first hole at about 125, swim away from the coral, turn around
and enjoy the awesome view. Spectacular, breath taking.. Look back at it
and imagine how small you compare to the coral head.. It's like a flat mountain which you just popped out of one of its holes..
Other sites I enjoy and recommend you to dive are:
Santa Rosa: This is a nice wall dive, very colorful, swim throughs and lots of life..
Columbia Deep: Nice massive formations and swim throughs, colorful.. an impressive site.
Palacar Gardens: I like this one for its swim throughs.. nice...
San Francisco: Look to a large cavern, which leads to a very long passageway. Lots of fun, like imagining walking through a long hallway.. I did this alone.. peeking through cracks to see the others once in awhile.. They didn't know what they were missing. I was blessed.
Palancar Caves: Here I love the swim throughs, the valleys, cracks, lots of small life.. Look around, it's there...
There are many other sites to visit. Far sounth of the island is where it's the deepest. Sharks may be found here. The North side of the island has strong current. Experienced divers only here.. Don't push it.
There are a number of places to eat too. Get out of the main square, go back off the beaten path, where all the tourist go and you'll find some small mom and pop restaurants.. WOW... I love Mexico...

[Bubble Maker]

Thanks for the Great Detailed Dive Report !!
I enjoyed those dives in Coz myself. while you where there did you hear of some old anchors that where uncovered by the recent huricanes ?

Mike

[lars2923]

Yes,

Without my dive log in front of me, the I cannot recall the site.
I will look in my log book and follow-up, if someone doesn't beat me to it.

There are two of them, relatively close to each other.
One is leaning against the coral, the other is still 1/2 burried in the sand.
I would put them at maybe 18+ feet long. They appear like the anchor you
would find on Popeyes arm.. Long and slender.. Not like what we would make
today.

The dive site is a great dive and the anchors are seen near the end of the dive.
One of my favorites out of the many favorites I have in Cozumel.

Cheers,

[lars2923]

The site: Columbia Deep.

I found the note in my 2005 trip...
I wrote one of my most favorite sites. Massive Coral heads
Wall, valleys, tunnels, etc...

Enjoy...Cozumel..
Also visit: Palmera Restaurant. Right near the ferries.
Ceviche is awesome.. And the drinks will knock you off your feet.

Cheers,

[CaptainBing]

Interesting report which contradicts everything I know of Dive House policies and procedures. They are well known to be a safety conscious and conservative resort operation with rigid dive plans and do not typically offer the more remote sites. You must be special.

Palmeras restaurant is one of the biggest tourist traps on the island also notorious for padding the tab and overcharging.

[lars2923]

I have been going to Dive house for over 10 years. I know the staff, at least
who's left of the originals and the newer ones are getting to know me. They
are good people and do an excellent job. Well organized and timely, safety conscious, as you mentioned and flexible on the locations to dive. My last visit, we dove every site I mentioned (about 16) over 4 days of diving.
Perhaps it is because I've been diving with them so long that they know me
and my diving abilities and I know the good sites and they are happy to take newbies to those good sites.

As for Palmeras, I mentioned them for their ceveche' and the margaritas..
Powerful stuff. I believe Palmeras has become a tradition. LIke the place you have to visit at least once on every trip kind of thing. I also mentioned moving off the beaten path to locations away from where the tourist visit. I guess here again I am lucky when friends who live on the island take me to places to eat and party.
I am sure everyone has their pet places to dive through, ive sites to visit and
places to go and things to see. Each their own. I offer my opinions from my view and experiences of Cuzumel. I love Cozumel for it's people and culture and of course the diving.

Enjoy Cozumel for what is has to offer, there is a lot for everyone to see and do.

Cheers,