Scuba Diving in Playa Del Carmen

goosehunter75 · 11-09-2005

Hello,
I'm going to be visiting Playa Del Carmen Dec 17-23rd. I'm thinking about getting my scuba diving certification before I travel there. Will the waters be suitable for scuba diving by then? Just curious what effects Emily and Wilma had on the ocean waters. Thanks.

UGAplaya · 11-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by goosehunter75

Hello,
I'm going to be visiting Playa Del Carmen Dec 17-23rd. I'm thinking about getting my scuba diving certification before I travel there. Will the waters be suitable for scuba diving by then? Just curious what effects Emily and Wilma had on the ocean waters. Thanks.

Yes..it will be fine. I'm going down in 3 weeks and I've already talked to the guys at DiveMike and they say that there's more fish than usual in the area.

Joana · 11-09-2005

A quite similar question (regarding the visibility) has been asked on the main board.

Most of the peeps who answered (as I) agreed that vis should be back to normal soon after the hurricane. It usually is good- remember though that any stormy night can change that, not only in Playa but all over the world.
Regarding the state of the reefs I read somewhere (can't remember where, sorry) that some of the reefs have been a bit damaged.
But- I'm positive the fish will be there.......
I have read no reports of total devastation under water.

Two things:
- if you are a complete newbie with diving, you will be quite busy with buoancy etc. on the first dives anyhow. In my time of working down there I've seen that most only spend so much attention on the reefs during their first dives- but quite some attention to their gear. Which is normal.
So even if the reefs are slightly damaged you might not see it- also because you haven't seen them before.
- what you might want to do is email a dive-shop down there with your question (like the Abyss or Tank-Ha for example). They have been in the water and can give you first hand info.

Have fun with the bubbles!!

krazy4playa · 11-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by goosehunter75

Hello,
I'm going to be visiting Playa Del Carmen Dec 17-23rd. I'm thinking about getting my scuba diving certification before I travel there. Will the waters be suitable for scuba diving by then? Just curious what effects Emily and Wilma had on the ocean waters. Thanks.

Diving should be fine. I've heard peopls are already going out. The nice thing with Playa is the sand is made of coarl and because it is heavier so it settles quickly. Unlike say where I grew up Gulf Shores, AL where where the sand is as white a sugar but also as fine as sugar so the water is always much cloudier.

We did our open water dives in Cozumel with Dive Paradice. Very reputable place and came with many recommendations. In case you are looking for a place.

http://www.diveparadise.com/

**james** · 11-09-2005

reports are that the return visitor or local will notice that the larger barrel sponges on, say, Tortuga, are less formed. They got damaged in the surge. It will take several years for them to come back up to full size again.

Everyone is reporting lots of fish. I haven't dived post Wilma but I plan to in the next couple days and I can give my first-hand opinion.

I think that currently local guides outnumber the tourists.

bigdave · 11-09-2005

diving in playa is usually done from small boats. but dont forget the cenote diving.
there are tons of things to see. december usually brings quite a bit of youth to the reef. enjoy your diving. david tomlinson runs a good dive shop called the abyss.
it is located between the ****** and el pirata.

11-09-2005	#1 (permalink)
goosehunter75 sandflea Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1	Scuba Diving in Playa Del Carmen Hello, I'm going to be visiting Playa Del Carmen Dec 17-23rd. I'm thinking about getting my scuba diving certification before I travel there. Will the waters be suitable for scuba diving by then? Just curious what effects Emily and Wilma had on the ocean waters. Thanks.

11-09-2005	#5 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,596	reports are that the return visitor or local will notice that the larger barrel sponges on, say, Tortuga, are less formed. They got damaged in the surge. It will take several years for them to come back up to full size again. Everyone is reporting lots of fish. I haven't dived post Wilma but I plan to in the next couple days and I can give my first-hand opinion. I think that currently local guides outnumber the tourists. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

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11-09-2005	#3 (permalink)
Joana Niiiice!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The House of God Posts: 4,891	A quite similar question (regarding the visibility) has been asked on the main board. Most of the peeps who answered (as I) agreed that vis should be back to normal soon after the hurricane. It usually is good- remember though that any stormy night can change that, not only in Playa but all over the world. Regarding the state of the reefs I read somewhere (can't remember where, sorry) that some of the reefs have been a bit damaged. But- I'm positive the fish will be there....... I have read no reports of total devastation under water. Two things: - if you are a complete newbie with diving, you will be quite busy with buoancy etc. on the first dives anyhow. In my time of working down there I've seen that most only spend so much attention on the reefs during their first dives- but quite some attention to their gear. Which is normal. So even if the reefs are slightly damaged you might not see it- also because you haven't seen them before. - what you might want to do is email a dive-shop down there with your question (like the Abyss or Tank-Ha for example). They have been in the water and can give you first hand info. Have fun with the bubbles!!

11-09-2005	#6 (permalink)
bigdave añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: short plane ride away from heaven on earth Posts: 2,673	diving in playa is usually done from small boats. but dont forget the cenote diving. there are tons of things to see. december usually brings quite a bit of youth to the reef. enjoy your diving. david tomlinson runs a good dive shop called the abyss. it is located between the ****** and el pirata.

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