Mexican Riviera Diving in the Spring

[Rudebob]

Just booked a spring break cruise to the Mexican Riviera because the price was too good to pass up. Far from my favorite itinerary but it is still a cruising vacation and does not require airfare to get to Long Beach.

 

Since the last time I did this cruise I have started scuba diving so I was hoping to get in a couple of tanks in at least one, if not two ports. I have no huge expectations about the quality of diving on the Pacific as compared with other caribbean dives we have done, but I am from AZ and it is still getting wet in the ocean for a change.

 

I am looking for feedback from anyone on the best ports and charters to book our dives through. Also, if I were to end up only diving in one port which would you choose considering cabo may be quite a bit colder than Puerto Vallarta this time of year.

 

Thanks,

 

‘bob

[xSandman3`]

I have no huge expectations about the quality of diving on the Pacific as compared with other caribbean dives we have done, but I am from AZ and it is still getting wet in the ocean for a change.

I have been diving all over the world, and my favorite dive spot anywhere is Catalina Island. Comparing the Caribbean to the Pacific is apples and oranges.

 

That said, Cabo is very nice diving, as is PV. Mazatlan is not made for diving. Yes, it's colder than the Caribbean, but that's why they make wetsuits and drysuits. Contact dive operators in the ports you want to dive and make arrangements.

[Middleager]

xSandman3`, can you please elaborate on the Catalina island diving. I'm also considering this itinery (with wife and friends, they can snorkel or just enjoy beaches), which starts from Long Beach for Carnival. If it's good diving in Catalina, then I'd go there a couple of days before for some dives before cruising.

 

Is it usually done as a day trip with ferry? Or it is better to stay there for 1-2 nights?

 

Thanks.

[xSandman3`]

xSandman3`, can you please elaborate on the Catalina island diving. I'm also considering this itinery (with wife and friends, they can snorkel or just enjoy beaches), which starts from Long Beach for Carnival. If it's good diving in Catalina, then I'd go there a couple of days before for some dives before cruising.

 

Is it usually done as a day trip with ferry? Or it is better to stay there for 1-2 nights?

 

Thanks.

 

Either way works. I do day trips at least once a month to certify students. The easiest place to dive is the Avalon Dive Park at Casino Point. If you go on a weekend, there is a sea-van with a compressor open right there for easy fills. The park has concrete steps built right into the water. This time of year you can count on lots of kelp, 100' vis, cold water (54 or so), and all the animals you care to see. There is also a dive boat that can take you out, but it's not worth it. I take the Catalina Express from Long Beach. It's @$65 round trip, and a short walk to Casino Point. Your family can snorkel there also...tons to see.

 

Dale

PADI OWSI

[Rudebob]

I have been diving all over the world, and my favorite dive spot anywhere is Catalina Island. Comparing the Caribbean to the Pacific is apples and oranges.

 

That said, Cabo is very nice diving, as is PV. Mazatlan is not made for diving. Yes, it's colder than the Caribbean, but that's why they make wetsuits and drysuits. Contact dive operators in the ports you want to dive and make arrangements.

 

Funny you should mention Catalina as I just got in last night from diving two days there on the Sand Dollar liveaboard. Diving, as always,was great. The diversity of marine life and kelp forrests are something every diver should experience at least once. However, it is cold water diving (for most at least a 7mil), regardless the time of year.

 

I too have been to Avalon to dive the park at Casino Point a few times-both for a day trip and spent a few nights there. The park provides plenty of great diving and diversity for several dives. However, if I stay on the island for more than a day I enjoy going out the King Neptune for a few boat dives. Several hotels have packages that include the ferry ride, shuttle to hotel, hotel stay, unlimited tank and weight rentals and a day on one of the local dive boats. You can get some decent deals if you avoid the high season times of year. If you go to the SoCal Kelp divers section on http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/ and check out the Cataline sticky thread you can get all the info you will ever need.

 

As far a diving the Riviera goes, I definately plan to dive. I am just looking for recommendations for booking my own trips and feedback as to first and second choices of destinations based on the time of year. I am not a big fan of renting wetsuits (as you know what most people do in them). I don't mind packing a shorty but I just as soon leave my 7 mil at home.

 

 

'bob

[Middleager]

Thanks Dale and Bob. It'll be the end of Aug. if we go this year. So it'll be cold water with 7mm. Hmm, don't know if my wife would enjoy it then. It's also not cheap, $65 ferry ride, plus the diving. Oh well, diving isn't cheap anyway.

 

Thanks for the reference to Scubaboard. I'm on the board too, just didn't get there to look up the details yet.

 

Thanks for the great info.

[xSandman3`]

I don't mind packing a shorty but I just as soon leave my 7 mil at home.

 

 

'bob

 

A shorty won't be enough. At best, it'll be 70 at the surface. If we dive Cabo in March, I'll probably take a 7 or a 3 with a core warmer, or maybe even the drysuit, which is easier to pack anyway.

[Scubabum]

I recommend diving Cabo as the dive sites are within 5 minutes of the cruise ship pier. The dive sites in PV are at least a half hour (LosArcos) and 1 and a half hours (Las Marietas) from the cruise ship pier.

 

I just got back from diving Cabo, the water was 72 degrees. I dove with a 3mm, a 3mm shotie(rental) and a hood. I was nice and warm, the DM wore just a 3mm and froze. The sea lions came out to play and that was awesome.

[jandjboo]

We were in Puerto Vallarta for a week early last May and went snorkeling at Los Arcos. The water was as clear as split pea soup, no joke... was even green! We couldn't see anything while in the water. We could barely see the angelfish from the surface when they came up in a feeding frenzy for the bread the guides threw in. There was a lot of foam on the water near the beaches, so it may have been some temporary condition.