This trip was booked through Apple Vacations. Accommodations were at Hotel Cozumel. Dive Operator - Dive Paradise
Dive Paradise has at least three dive operations that we would stop at. One was up just south of town, Another was at our hotel Cozumel and another further south just north of the International Pier. We were on their slow boats. Renegado Day 1, Calypso Day 2 and Tonga Day 3. The quality of the boats increased each day with Tonga being the nicest and fastest of the 3. Day 1 we had 7 divers with two dive masters, one who was a private DM for a junior diver. Day 2 had 8 divers on board with a single diver master. Day 3 we had 14 divers with three dive masters and an instructor. One was again the private DM for the junior diver (who also had a private videographer too). The instructor had two divers working on their Advanced Open Water. Then the rest of us were split into two groups. At Hotel Cozumel, they had lockers just off the pier, with fresh water rinse tanks. Had to get the key at the front desk.
Day 1 of diving. This day we picked up a couple of cruise ship divers up at the Hotel Barracuda just south of Punta LaCosta. And we did the same dive sites that I did the first time I dove in Cozumel off a cruise ship through Dive House. Dive Master was Louis on the Renagado
Dive 1 Paseo De Cedral
Swim through Saw large moray eel
Dive 2 Tormentos
Saw more marine life in general on this dive than remembered a year ago. Of course, that was my 8th dive, this was my 60th so I think in general as a diver I spend more time seeing stuff and having to worry about my dive skills. One big nurse shark (8-9') sleeping. One big hermit crab (12"?)
Day 2 of diving - Dive Master was Gabi on the Calypso, and we had a videographer that taped our dives. Ended up purchasing the video for $85. He charges $120 for a private video session.
The group wanted to see lots of marine life and we were rewarded
Dive 1 Dalila
Saw a large trunkfish as we descended. Two sharks, One swimming, one under rock. Saw a large grouper, trumpet and drumfish.
Dive 2 Yucab Wall
Saw Turtles, grouper, Octopus, lobsters, cleaner shrimp.
Day 3
Dive master Victor
Dive 1 - Palancar Gardens
Dive started at 80' and worked our way up the reef until we ascended at 20'. Saw an Eagle Ray, barracuda and large turtle along the side of the reef wall.
Dive 2 - Cedral Wall
Saw a scorpion fish for the first time. Victor was great on this dive as we darted around the reef to see turtles and sharks as well as some large groupers
As far as Hotel Cozumel - room was large, clean and had a safe that was free of charge. With the AI, the food was good, buffet style. Large pool in the middle. The only negative was as an interior room we could always hear the PA whether it was the games during the day, or the shows from 8-10pm nightly. It’s a relatively short walk to downtown.
We did have dinner twice in town, Casa Denis, which was a good restaurant having local fare. I had the Mayan Chicken and the shrimp cerviche. The other night was La Conchita De La Caribe, which had a variety of seafood options. One of us had the garlic conch, another breaded octopus and shrimp Diablo. All the meals were excellent.
All in all, six great dives, beautiful weather and good food made for a nice break from the Colorado Winter. Look forward to my next return!
