Cozumel scuba diving conditions? We (spouse and two adult kids) are planning a scuba vacation March 2008.?
We have been to Cancun and the Grand Caymans. Will Cozumel be good? I read that the hurricanes have really messed up the reefs and diving is not enjoyable. True?
You will have a great time diving in Cozumel. I was in Cozumel in April and then back in late August. The shallow reefs that are used for snorkeling mostly are a bit messed up, but the deeper reefs are just fine. The main problem we had in August was visibility, but our trip was scheduled a week after the hurricane hit Costa Maya and the water was still churned up. After the first 3 days the vis was back to normal. I’m form Houston and the airplane trip is only about two hours, so my wife and I frequently take trips to Cozumel to dive. I highly recommend you dive a Cenote while your in the area, as well.
You will have a great time diving in Cozumel. I was in Cozumel in April and then back in late August. The shallow reefs that are used for snorkeling mostly are a bit messed up, but the deeper reefs are just fine. The main problem we had in August was visibility, but our trip was scheduled a week after the hurricane hit Costa Maya and the water was still churned up. After the first 3 days the vis was back to normal. I’m form Houston and the airplane trip is only about two hours, so my wife and I frequently take trips to Cozumel to dive. I highly recommend you dive a Cenote while your in the area, as well.
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Scuba diver, been to Yucatan area 8 times in the last 4 years. Feel free to pick my brain about Cozumel. Dive shop, restuarants, Playa Del Carmen, things to see on the Cozumel? scubadaddy32@yahoo
Nope, diving is still amazing in Cozumel. Only the west side of the island has reef action but it is beautiful all the same. I recommend Deep Exposure if your looking for an excursion. They came to us highly recommended and I agree.
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The diving at Cozumel is most the most beautiful reef system in the world according to Jacques Cousteau (the late) and me. The scuba diving didn’t get hurt. The snorkeling in shallow corals has seen some damage, but awesome to see the delineation from natural damage after a powerful hurricane. You may, or may not, see this delineation at all. If you do, it will be relatively shallow somewhere in the first atmosphere of your dives. The Palencar reef (and Santa Rosa reef) are two of the most beautiful, bio-diverse and healthy systems in the Caribbean. They are on the leeward side that did not get the direct hit from the last few hurricanes… they are between Cozumel and the mainland, directly across from Playa del Carmen. The sponge formations are unique and full of the most vivid colors I have seen anywhere including the South Pacific.. Enjoy!.
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I speak from experience: I have been there a dozen times since1977 to the present, twice within weeks after hurricanes (Hugo: it was a direct hit and even bigger than the last two.) I am a Marine Biologist and have both recreated and researched there and many other places around the world.
I went to Cozumel in July…so i don’t know how the hurricane affected the reef…
But I stayed at Scuba Club Cozumel. It’s a resort especially made for scuba divers. I’m pretty sure your bill includes all meals and unlimited shore diving. Shore diving is easy there because there’s no actual "shore"…there’s a set of stairs that lead right to the water. The people who work there are SO friendly, they knew my name by the second day…
Cozumel was by far the best trip i have ever taken.
**I recommend also visiting Dolphin Discovery and doing the Royal Dive. It’s very expensive, but you have not lived unless you’ve tried this…
If you decide to go, tell Alonso, Francisco, and Carlos i said hi! hehe.
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Went last July, going next July =D
http://www.scubaclubcozumel.com/
You have picked a great scuba place. The hurricanes did damage all over the Caribbean but it’s all coming back.
I love Cozumel and the people are so very nice.
Don’t worry, you will have a great scuba trip. The locals know the best spots and the best marine life.
Enjoy and good luck)
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We went to Coz in November a couple years ago, not long after the hurricane. There was a lot of sand down to about 30 feet, and many of the fan corals were gone. But deeper down it was great.
We stayed at Scuba Club Cozumel. Very nice facility, secure, good boats, good crews. The restaraunt was good. And, it’s a reasonable walk into San Miguel.
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