Diving in Cozumel and Belize

[Privateer]

Taking a late November cruise (Enchantment) and am looking to book some dive trips in Cozumel and Belize, has anyone had experience with:

Booking through RCL?

Dive operators used (such as Aldora Divers in Cozumel)?

I will be brining my gear (as will DW) – are the tanks Yoke or DIN?

Any other information or stories ….

Thanks,

Privateer “aka – Mike”

[Driftwoodgal]

We don't dive, but did use Eagle Ray Diving Company for a snorkle trip and they were terrific. They have a great website and the research that I did on them had tons of positive things about them. They are located in Cozumel.

[elitegoodguy]

While I haven't been on a cruise before (Leaving on my first in 6 days YAY!!!) I've dived with ScubaDu out of Cozumel. They were the best.

 

http://www.scubadu.com/

[Privateer]

Thanks - anyone else. Especialy about the tanks, need to know if I will need DIN addapters.

[cruiseguy1016]

We dove in March in Cozumel. We used the ship's excursion. It was a fantastic trip!

A lot of people won't agree with this but here's what I do about gear. I bring my mask and snorkel only!! Why haul all that gear around with you? Through airports and onto the ship? I used to bring my own gear. I would never check it, it was always a carry-on so I knew where it was at all times. What a pain carrying that stuff around all the time. AND.... when you get done diving, you have to carry it back to your cabin, rinse it all and try to find a place to dry it all in those puny bathrooms. People always want to question the quality of the gear you get from guides. Think about it...if you owned a business where people's lives are in your hands, would you use sub-par equipment? NO!! The gear they have may not be as "pretty" as yours but it all works and does what you need it to do. I have been renting gear from vendors for 20 years and have never had a problem with a piece of rented equipment.

Just my thoughts on bringing gear. Give it some thought.

[sweeties_mom@yahoo.com]

Taking a late November cruise (Enchantment) and am looking to book some dive trips in Cozumel and Belize, has anyone had experience with:

 

Booking through RCL? Yes. 2x in Cozumel (sailed on Mariner)

Dive operators used (such as Aldora Divers in Cozumel)? RCCL used Sand Dollar Sports in Cozumel both times (LOVE THEM!!)

I will be bringing my gear (as will DW) – are the tanks Yoke or DIN? tanks were Yoke, brought out our regs, mask & snorkle - used their gear for everything else, it was in great shape when we were last there. A friend actually was at the resort where they are based (Reef Club) recently and said they had a great time with them too so I am sure they are the same quality as when we were there last.

Any other information or stories …. It was incredible! I can't wait to get back. We actually spent the extra $$ for the DVD from our last trip and have already started watching it again to get excited for the next trip!

Please update us when you get back. We are doing this trip 2/08 and would love to hear what you thought of diving in Belize.

[capnlars]

Ditto on accolades for eagleray divers. If you email them, they will tell you about the tanks.

[wolfcathorse]

Consider Belize also. Adam from our CC group on Legend in February said his snorkeling there was tops, the best he's ever experienced. Lots of colorful and HUGE fish and coral formations. Try searching for Belize excursions thru shoretrips dot com, grandcaymancruiseexcursions dot com, or nativewaywatersports dot com.

[johnsontrio]

My DH has used Dive Paradise in Cozumel several times. They work out of Hotel Blanco. You just zip down there in a cab and they take it from there. He prearrranges it all by email. If the ship doesn't stop, you don't pay. All his dive experiences there have been great and it's usually just 2-4 people other than the dive guys. He takes all his own stuff, just uses their tanks and weights.

 

Can't help with Belize. We did cave tubing and the zip lines at the Jaguar something?, which was fabulous. The next time, my DD and DH did snuba since DD was just getting ready to start her diving certification. HTH.

[Privateer]

Thanks to all.

 

Gear - Still picky about my gear (and my DW's gear is all new so .....), It's worth it for me to deal with the minor issues. Both our BC's and Regs total less than 14 lbs and pack into 1 medium Akona bag with everything else.

 

Shops & operators - looks good. In Belize I would book with the ship as it is tendered and the dive boat picks you up while on the hook.

 

If anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them.