Cozumel Dive Operators
From the smallest glass bottom boat with room for just four divers to converted barges that regularly take 20 or more per trip, you can find all shapes and sizes of vessels and dive operators in Cozumel. And since they’re all taking you to the same reef, matching your desires up to the right dive operator can make or break your trip. Like with much in life, the trick to getting the best dive experience in Cozumel is not only knowing what you want but in how well you communicate your desires.
For the sake of this discussion, we’ve gone into more detail regarding the standard program for one company: Dive Paradise. That’s largely because over the years, we have a lot of experience in going out with them and can write from personal experience. We don’t dive exclusively with them but in general, we like diving with Dive Paradise and are comfortable in recommending them to other divers. But it is our strong opinion that Dive Paradise is not the only good dive shop in Cozumel. It is simply a good dive shop in Cozumel that we have a lot of experience with.
When reading the discussion about the mechanics of diving with Dive Paradise, keep in mind that most operators in Cozumel offer similar packages and If you are traveling in a group of four to six divers of similar skills, most are willing to try to accommodate any reasonable request.
In reality, it is our opinion that the specific dive master that you go out with is a whole lot more important that the dive operator.
The list of dive shops in the discussion section below does not include every operation in Cozumel. But it does cover many of the better-known operators and a few very good smaller operations that you may not be familiar with.
Dive Paradise is one of the largest dive companies in Cozumel and offers a wide variety of packages. You may have seen Dive Paradise magazine ads promoting three-tank boat dives. For this you get a two-tank dive, including tanks and weights, departing the pier at the Barracuda Hotel around 8:15 am, soft drinks and a boxed snack on a large slow boat with no more than 16 divers and two dive masters. The boat returns to the dock around 2:00 pm and then heads back out around 3:30 pm for a third dive of 60 feet or less. Not everyone on your morning trip will go for the third dive and you may pick up divers from other boats. The two-tank slow boat dives go for $58 so if you’re looking for a bargain, $10 for the third dive is hard to beat.
The slow boats are fine if you want a nice leisurely sun filled day. If you’re a part of a large group that wants to dive and socialize together, it’s a great choice. But be warned that you will tend to spend more time on top of the water than in it. And if you are alone or in a small group, you will find that the more divers on a boat the more likely that some are going to be novices or (even worse) just plain jerks that might limit or compromise your experience.
If you want to get to the reef quickly and dive in a smaller group, opt for the "fast" boat trips. They will cost $4 per day more but you will find yourself with a shorter boat ride and in a group of four to seven divers. Since Dive Paradise allows (with some limitations) the divers on board each boat to select dive sites, a group of four divers on a fast boat can usually dictate the reefs they want to see. The fast boats also allow easier access to some of the more interesting distant dive sites that prove difficult to reach on the slow boats.
Even though they are serving a large number of divers, a proficient diver looking for a unique experience can find happiness at Dive Paradise. On your first visit to the dive shop, tell the desk clerk that you are interested in EDP (Experienced Diver Program) computer dives. You will still need to have a dive master affirm your skills the first day. But once done, Dive Paradise will try to match you up with other experienced divers and allow you to go to advanced dive sites like Punta Sur and Maracaibo, base bottom times on your computer and generally give you the freedom and flexibility you’re probably looking for. EDP dives will cost $69 or $7 more than a standard fast boat.
The price of the packages that Dive Paradise sells through magazine ads or tour operators almost always are based on the slow boats. If you want the fast boat trips it will cost you slightly more than the advertised price. If you reserve fast boats as a part of a package before you come down, make sure you get this confirmed in writing and take the confirmation with you to the dive shop on your first visit. If you find you’ve reserved slow boats and would prefer the fast, you can upgrade your package at the dive shop. It will cost a little more but if it’s what you want, the small extra cost is worth it. Even if you haven’t pre-booked a dive package, you should be able to negotiate a discount of 10-15% if you’re willing to book 3 or more dives when you arrive at the shop.
Night dives are available most evenings at $33 for a single tank on a slow boat, usually to Paradise or Chankanaab.
Snorkelers or non-divers over age 12 can accompany any two-tank dive for $30. A full range of dive course instruction including resort course, full certification, checkout dives and advanced specialty courses are offered at Dive Paradise.
By and large, the staff members at Dive Paradise are genuinely nice people who are not out to take advantage of tourist. If there is some confusion on your reservation or something doesn’t go just like you wanted it to, keep this in mind and you will probably find them most accommodating to any reasonable request. Dive Paradise is on Rafael Melgar near the Naval station and the Rock ‘N Java restaurant. The local telephone number is 87 21007 and the Fax is 87 21061.
There are hundreds of dive operations in Cozumel. There is no attempt to make the following list complete but it does offer some information including web site links where available on a few. You’ll probably be able to guess which ones this writer ends up going out with when he dives in Cozumel.
Along with Dive Paradise Aqua Safari is one of the larger operations in Cozumel. It’s primary location and main pier are at the Plaza Las Glorias hotel. Aqua Safari runs two very nice boats with group sizes of 10 or more and recently has added some smaller fast boats. This operator is very safety conscious to the point that some more advanced divers may feel restricted. Telephone 87 23362 or 87 20101.
We used to enjoy going out with Cinpatica Charters. Owner/dive master Felipe Quinones was the first person to take us over to the "other side" for diving. However, we have heard rumors that Cinpatica may not be offering dives at this time. If you want to try though, the telephone number used to be: 87 21817.
One of the legendary dive masters on the island is Ricardo Madrigal of Careyitos Advanced Divers. Los Careyitos specializes in advanced, multi-level computer diving and is a good choice for divers wanting to go to the deeper and more challenging dive sites. When you dive with Los Careyitos, it is assumed that you are an experienced, self-sufficient diver. Los Careyitos has a nice boat that is suitable for reaching any dive site. Telephone 87 21578.
One of the smaller dive shops is Black Shark Dive Shop. Prices will tend to be a little cheaper than at some of the larger operators. Black Shark is on Ave 5 between A.R. Salas and Calle 3. Telephone 87 20396.
Papa Hogs Scuba Emporium of Cozumelis owned and operated by Mike and Margaret Gerus, originally from Ontario, Canada. It is located on the beach in front of Villa Blanca Hotel.
Antoinio and
Chellie Castellanos of Eagle Ray Divers offer a wide range of options on dive and snorkel trips. We’ve been out with them on occasion and find Eagle Ray to be a very reliable dive operator. Telephone: 87 25735.
Blue Bubble Divers is a friendly operation primarily using fast boats and known to be very safety conscious. For a slightly higher fee than their typical resort dives, Blue Bubble offers trips to San Juan, Barracuda, Maraciabo and Islote. Its office is at the corner of Ave 5 & Calle 3 Sur. Telephone 87 21865.
Juan Leca of Dive House has a reputation of being one of the most ecologically sensitive operators on the island with a keen knowledge of the reefs. However, we have noticed that when the Dive House boats pass by, they seem to carry lots of tanks (and people to use them). Phone 87 21953, Fax 87 23068.
Del Mar Aquaticshas locations in both the Casa del Mar Hotel and on the La Ceiba Hotel beach. This is a decent operation but one that doesn’t stand out from the crowd. Telephone 87 21900, 87 20812 or 87 21833.
Aldora Divers has a very good reputation based on good service, nice boats and being one of the few dive shops in town that uses 120cf high capacity steel tanks. Prices here are among the highest in Cozumel but many of Aldora’s clients will tell you the extra service is worth it. Telephone 87 23397.
In addition to the dive shops, there are even more independent dive masters that might have worked for one or more of the larger operators in the past and occasionally still fill in on a free-lance basis but also offer their own dive trips. The advantage of using such a dive master is they are going to take you to the same dive sites as the other operators but will tend to provide a more casual and personalized service.
One such dive master is Ventura Nay of Buena Ventura Diving. Ventura is an outstanding dive master who seems to have a knack for finding large critters. He also seems to be able to find good sites that are close to more frequented spots but just far enough away to avoid the crowds. Phone at 87 26014 or Fax 87 21774.
Another good independent is Martin Aguilar who will take experienced divers to some of the more advanced dive sites. Telephone 87 22610, Fax 87 22736.
In an on again/off again saga, we’re sorry to report that Paul Padilla has once again closed Paul’s Personal Dive Service. This time, we think it’s for good. For those who know Paul, he and wife Kit have moved to a small fishing village near Progresso on the Gulf.
Our Favorite Cozumel Dive Operators
As noted in the beginning of this section, there are a lot of good dive operations in Cozumel. You may already have a favorite that we haven’t even discussed. That’s fine with us. You won’t hurt our feelings at all if you decide to dive with someone else.
To be perfectly honest, we get more than a little frustrated when we hear anyone say something like “Dream Dives” is THE BEST in the world! How could anyone know that unless they’ve been diving with every dive shop in the world? And BEST for who? It is entirely possible that what is best for one type of diver is not best for another. The very thing that might make one dive shop a thrilling choice for an advanced diver might lead to a white knuckle experience for a beginner.
With that said, we present the following as Our Favorites in Cozumel:
Our Favorite Large Dive Shop
Surprise, surprise – It’s Dive Paradise. They offer lots of options and packages. In general, it is a well-run shop with a good overall safety record staffed with genuinely nice people. .
Our Favorite Small Dive Operation
Buena Ventura Diving. As noted above, Ventura is an outstanding dive master who offers a very personalized service. He has a knack for finding large critters and sites that are close to more frequented spots but just far enough away to avoid the crowds. He’s been the dive master of 3 of what we consider our 5 best dives (out of hundreds) we’ve made in Cozumel. And he’s a really nice guy.
