Scuba questions

Mrs.G 2B · 06-10-2005

All right, here goes... (I did some search, but still like to have more info

)
Me and my husband 2B are Padi OWDs, so can't do very deep dives yet, officially max 18 m. Are there good divesites for us, who have some experiens but not lot and what sites do you recommend? We'll be staying in Playa Maya, which shops are near and reliable (all I guess

)? Any recommendations?
As we are coming from Finland we'll probably bring only snorkeling gear with us. So how are the rental gear in Playa? Are gauge meters showing bars or psis?

I think the visibility will be one of the most amacing experiences for us, here in Finland it's about 10 meters at its best

, and it's not that good very often. and of course corals and turttles and fish and... And not forgetting the water temperature, my avatar picture was taken after a dive in water that was only 3 degrees... Speek about frozen smile

.

**TeeZet** · 06-10-2005

You WILL be amazed, that's for sure!

I just started diving (got certified) last January when I stayed at IB* Tucan (AI). Dressel Divers had a shop on the Tucan grounds, so that was pretty convenient. I would recommend them but I doubt whether you'll make use of them. There are more diveshops closer to the Playa Maya.
You might consider to get a Playa Deal Card, so you can get a discount on one of the diveshops listed in the PlayaInfo Directory
Plenty of good divesites around.
I've been to three of them, but can't really recall their names (don't have my book with me...).
I'm sure you'll get some more reponse here.
Being a novice I wouldn't judge quality of equipment, but I never had any problems with the gear I had. I saw both bar and psi gauges.

JulieB · 06-10-2005

Tank Ha is right on 5th Ave - great location and an excellent dive shop. I've been diving with them on 5 visits to PDC over the past 2 years and have been very satisfied. The staff is professional, friendly, safety-conscious and enjoyable to dive with. The best ocean dives are at Cozumel - Tank Ha usually goes direct from Playa once a week on Mondays for a 2-tank trip, but check with them on the schedule if interested. The ocean dives along Riviera Maya are also good - just not quite a spectacular as Cozumel. Depending on your skills and comfort level, the cenotes are another option for something very unique. The cenote dives with Tank Ha include transportation (with a/c), cold drinks and sandwiches and are an incredible experience. I can highly recomment Tank Ha.
Have a great time and enjoy the diving !

**james** · 06-10-2005

Keep in mind that our dives here are drift dives, so you'll want to focus in on your buoyancy, relaxation, and breathing to just float along with the current. Tortuga reef has a very large population of sea turtles and tarpon. It is quite impressive and is less than 18m deep.

You'll find rental gear readily available and of varying quality. Many shops have both bar and psi SPGs.

If you get a chance to dive Cozumel, you should. It has a higher "wow" factor with larger, better protected coral and greater vis.

**TeeZet** · 06-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by james

...If you get a chance to dive Cozumel, you should. It has a higher "wow" factor with larger, better protected coral and greater vis.

I was just wondering whether to go back there, but now I HAVE to go back there!
I'll take your word for it, James!

Since I wasn't planning to go diving while there (only snorkeling) I didn't do any research on diving beforehand. I only found out later that Cozumel is high in the world's top ten diving sites...

MO Diver · 06-10-2005

I and three of my friends are very new to scuba diving. I am the only one that has done an actual dive, outside of our certification dives in a local lake. We have done some research on places to dive in that area. We have booked a two-tank dive on Cozumel with "Scuba with Alison" (www.scubawithalison.com). We are wanting to go on another dive, but haven't decided if we want to go back to Cozumel or go somewhere else like Tortuga. I am definitely hooked on diving and can't wait to dive in Mexico.

**TeeZet** · 06-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO Diver

I and three of my friends are very new to scuba diving. I am the only one that has done an actual dive, outside of our certification dives in a local lake. We have done some research on places to dive in that area. We have booked a two-tank dive on Cozumel with "Scuba with Alison" (www.scubawithalison.com). We are wanting to go on another dive, but haven't decided if we want to go back to Cozumel or go somewhere else like Tortuga. I am definitely hooked on diving and can't wait to dive in Mexico.

Welcome to this forum MO Diver!
It IS addictive, I can tell!
And I'm almost envious... you guys are about to have a great time diving there, I'm sure!
When are you going b.t.w?

popeye · 06-10-2005

Hey ya fellow MO diver. Cozumel diving is better! James is right though about the drift dives and the equipmnt. Try Luis Perez 10 Av.South 115 967-2-214-49 on Coz. IMHO~the best! Enjoy!

MO Diver · 06-10-2005

TeeZet, we will arrive on the 25th and we are diving on the 27th. Hoping to get another dive in on that Wednesday. We are staying at the El Dorado Seaside Suites. We thought that an all-inclusive would be the way to go on our first trip, but after reading everything on this forum, I kinda wish we were winging it in PDC. Maybe next time.

popeye, thanks for the info. We will look into it. If I have my way, we will be coming back for more in the future. It gives me something to look forward to.

**TeeZet** · 06-10-2005

Just be sure to share your experiences!

Nerak936 · 06-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeZet

I was just wondering whether to go back there, but now I HAVE to go back there!
I'll take your word for it, James!

Since I wasn't planning to go diving while there (only snorkeling) I didn't do any research on diving beforehand. I only found out later that Cozumel is high in the world's top ten diving sites...

My brother and now sister-in-law got certified in scuba shortly before their wedding in 1988. Their planned honeymoon: Cozumel. Right before the wedding, Hurricane Gilbert hit, and they were forced to move their honeymoon locale to Acapulco (which does NOT have good diving). As my bro put it, "The hotel we have reservations at has 10' waves in the lobby." I don't think they've ever had the chance to dive, and when they heard that David and I had planned our first vacation together for Cozumel (2000), they were positively green with envy.

An excerpt taken from the web:

"Cozumel is the ideal place to practice the sport of scuba diving... Back in the early 60s, the famed oceanographer, Jacque Cousteau "discovered" or rather informed the world of, what is now known as the second largest barrier reef system in the world. The Great Mayan Reef as it is now called, starts at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsular just north of Cancun and extends into the Honduras basin in the south Caribbean sea, hugging the coastline of the Mexican State of Q. Roo and the east coast of the country of Belize. Off the south west side of the island of Cozumel is the largest concentration of this reef system thus offering scuba divers at least forty different diving sites..Cozumel is world known for it's crystal clear waters, easy "drift" diving and wonderful underwater life..."

When you go back, TeeZet, ya GOTTA dive at Coz!! Although David and I do not scuba, we love to snorkel and have a tradition established of heading straight to Dzul-Ha to do so. Saw absolutely awesome fish last month!

**TeeZet** · 06-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerak936

Saw absolutely awesome fish last month!

Yeah, Karen, just rub it in...

Nerak936 · 06-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeZet

Yeah, Karen, just rub it in...

Just gettin' ya pumped up for next year, Tony!!

**TeeZet** · 06-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerak936

Just gettin' ya pumped up for next year, Tony!!

No need, but thanks anyway!

(Now where did grandma hide that ol' sock with her savings...

)

**Jesus** · 06-10-2005

I second James commentary: if you are used to cold water diving with THICK wetsuits (or drysuits) you need to make bouyancy adjustments on the first day, you won't need that much lead in your weight belt and will experience the freedom of a shortie.
If you are not claustrophobic I recomend a cenote dive. Great visibility, incredible experience, just need the OW certification and is usually done in less than 20 meters deep. Unfortunately no fish or coral, but the stalagtites and stalagmites are amazing.

If you have problem choosing between PdC or Cozumel, don't worry both are great options. Just one is better than the other, but anyway you gain a lot just by diving the Caribean instead of the Baltic sea. You won't regreat it.

06-10-2005	#1 (permalink)
Mrs.G 2B sandflea Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 4	Scuba questions All right, here goes... (I did some search, but still like to have more info ) Me and my husband 2B are Padi OWDs, so can't do very deep dives yet, officially max 18 m. Are there good divesites for us, who have some experiens but not lot and what sites do you recommend? We'll be staying in Playa Maya, which shops are near and reliable (all I guess )? Any recommendations? As we are coming from Finland we'll probably bring only snorkeling gear with us. So how are the rental gear in Playa? Are gauge meters showing bars or psis? I think the visibility will be one of the most amacing experiences for us, here in Finland it's about 10 meters at its best , and it's not that good very often. and of course corals and turttles and fish and... And not forgetting the water temperature, my avatar picture was taken after a dive in water that was only 3 degrees... Speek about frozen smile .

06-10-2005	#3 (permalink)
JulieB very sparkly Join Date: May 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 35	Tank Ha is right on 5th Ave - great location and an excellent dive shop. I've been diving with them on 5 visits to PDC over the past 2 years and have been very satisfied. The staff is professional, friendly, safety-conscious and enjoyable to dive with. The best ocean dives are at Cozumel - Tank Ha usually goes direct from Playa once a week on Mondays for a 2-tank trip, but check with them on the schedule if interested. The ocean dives along Riviera Maya are also good - just not quite a spectacular as Cozumel. Depending on your skills and comfort level, the cenotes are another option for something very unique. The cenote dives with Tank Ha include transportation (with a/c), cold drinks and sandwiches and are an incredible experience. I can highly recomment Tank Ha. Have a great time and enjoy the diving ! Last edited by JulieB; 06-10-2005 at 10:17 AM.

06-10-2005	#4 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,758	Keep in mind that our dives here are drift dives, so you'll want to focus in on your buoyancy, relaxation, and breathing to just float along with the current. Tortuga reef has a very large population of sea turtles and tarpon. It is quite impressive and is less than 18m deep. You'll find rental gear readily available and of varying quality. Many shops have both bar and psi SPGs. If you get a chance to dive Cozumel, you should. It has a higher "wow" factor with larger, better protected coral and greater vis. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image!

06-10-2005	#2 (permalink)
TeeZet Non-aggressive Dutch dude Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Uithoorn, The Netherlands Posts: 7,713	You WILL be amazed, that's for sure! I just started diving (got certified) last January when I stayed at IB* Tucan (AI). Dressel Divers had a shop on the Tucan grounds, so that was pretty convenient. I would recommend them but I doubt whether you'll make use of them. There are more diveshops closer to the Playa Maya. You might consider to get a Playa Deal Card, so you can get a discount on one of the diveshops listed in the PlayaInfo Directory Plenty of good divesites around. I've been to three of them, but can't really recall their names (don't have my book with me...). I'm sure you'll get some more reponse here. Being a novice I wouldn't judge quality of equipment, but I never had any problems with the gear I had. I saw both bar and psi gauges.

06-10-2005	#6 (permalink)
MO Diver Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 4	I and three of my friends are very new to scuba diving. I am the only one that has done an actual dive, outside of our certification dives in a local lake. We have done some research on places to dive in that area. We have booked a two-tank dive on Cozumel with "Scuba with Alison" (www.scubawithalison.com). We are wanting to go on another dive, but haven't decided if we want to go back to Cozumel or go somewhere else like Tortuga. I am definitely hooked on diving and can't wait to dive in Mexico.

06-10-2005	#8 (permalink)
popeye life=playa Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 788	Hey ya fellow MO diver. Cozumel diving is better! James is right though about the drift dives and the equipmnt. Try Luis Perez 10 Av.South 115 967-2-214-49 on Coz. IMHO~the best! Enjoy!

06-10-2005	#9 (permalink)
MO Diver Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 4	TeeZet, we will arrive on the 25th and we are diving on the 27th. Hoping to get another dive in on that Wednesday. We are staying at the El Dorado Seaside Suites. We thought that an all-inclusive would be the way to go on our first trip, but after reading everything on this forum, I kinda wish we were winging it in PDC. Maybe next time. popeye, thanks for the info. We will look into it. If I have my way, we will be coming back for more in the future. It gives me something to look forward to.

06-10-2005	#10 (permalink)
TeeZet Non-aggressive Dutch dude Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Uithoorn, The Netherlands Posts: 7,713	Just be sure to share your experiences!

06-10-2005	#15 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 4,785	I second James commentary: if you are used to cold water diving with THICK wetsuits (or drysuits) you need to make bouyancy adjustments on the first day, you won't need that much lead in your weight belt and will experience the freedom of a shortie. If you are not claustrophobic I recomend a cenote dive. Great visibility, incredible experience, just need the OW certification and is usually done in less than 20 meters deep. Unfortunately no fish or coral, but the stalagtites and stalagmites are amazing. If you have problem choosing between PdC or Cozumel, don't worry both are great options. Just one is better than the other, but anyway you gain a lot just by diving the Caribean instead of the Baltic sea. You won't regreat it.

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