SCUBA Recommendations-Cozumel/G Caymans

[Dr. Dean]

We are cruising in January on F.O.S. and are looking for SCUBA Dive Shop recommendations for Cozumel and the Grand Caymans. Can anyone help?

 

Thanks...

[bruce-r]

Sure.

 

http://www.neptunesdivers.com for Grand Cayman

 

and for Cozumel there are a number of choices:

 

http://www.bluextseadiving.com My personal first choice.

http://www.scubatony.com

http://www.scubawithalison.com

http://www.divewithmarting.com (especially if you have a group of 4 and want a private charter)

http://www.eagleraydivers.com

http://www.liquidbluediving.com

http://www.blueangel-scuba.com

[Dr. Dean]

Thanks....

 

Happy Cruising

[sharod]

I am looking into using www.scubawithalison.com . She is in Cosumel. I have found many recommendations for her here on CC. I e-mailed her yesterday with questions and she was very prompt with getting back with me.

[bruce-r]

I am looking into using www.scubawithalison.com . She is in Cosumel. I have found many recommendations for her here on CC. I e-mailed her yesterday with questions and she was very prompt with getting back with me.

She's a sweetie too.

[KaC-Cruiser]

I am looking into using www.scubawithalison.com . She is in Cosumel. I have found many recommendations for her here on CC. I e-mailed her yesterday with questions and she was very prompt with getting back with me.

Yes, many of us love Alison!! She is great fun, and a great DM to boot!! We'll be diving with her again on 12/14 .... can't wait!!!:D

[echoesofspring]

Just joined this board and am reliving our trips to the Caymans from reading peoples posts - I am jonesing for those beautiful warm waters!

 

it's been a number of years, but we had a nice time diving in Cozumel with Dive with Martin, my very first dive trip.

 

For the Caymans, our family has been diving with Jason Washington of Ambassador Divers (ambassadordivers.com) since 2002, I'm sure he is largely responsible for our annual returns; we never really did family trips before and now it's yearly, if not more frequently if we can squeeze it in. It's almost always just our family of 5 on the boat (we tend to go in July, with is kind of off season), but even in the high season I don't think he takes more than 6-8 people at a time. He guides you on the deep dives, and it's just so reassuring to have someone that skilled in the water with you,especially if you're like me and don't get to dive but once or twice a year. He operates his boat off of 7MB so it's fairly easy to get to.

 

 

Have a wonderful time!

[bruce-r]

Just joined this board and am reliving our trips to the Caymans from reading peoples posts - I am jonesing for those beautiful warm waters!

 

it's been a number of years, but we had a nice time diving in Cozumel with Dive with Martin, my very first dive trip.

Then it might sadden you to know that Martin recently passed away, leaving two youngish children without parents. He was a great asset to the island of Cozumel and will be sorely missed.

[Lovin the Cruise]

Try www.ambassadordivers.com

 

Great staff and small numbers on the dive boat. We have also used these guys for a Stingray City snorkel snorkel charter.

[beetea3]

My husband and I were on Freedom last week and did dives in Cozumel and GC. Both were with small operations that were recommended to us by others. Had a great time with both.

 

In Cozumel it was with Troy Ruhr at Palegic and in GC with James of Ebanks Divers. I have contact info if you would like it. Both very hospitable, easy to find a nice to work with.

 

Betsy

[TexCruise371]

We just returned from our cruise on Rhapsody and dove with Seasports in Grand Cayman. They are one of the oldest dive operations on the island. Greg is great and they only take a max of 8 out. The other thing is that they leave from Seven Mile beach at 10 A.M. and you don't have to be in a break neck hurry to get off the ship. We were back on board Rhapsody by 1:30. Great dive! We have already talked to him about a return dive in October when we return on Liberty of the Seas.

 

www.bestdivingrandcayman.com

[coevan]

I could not open the link to the dive shop. Is that the correct address?

[KaC-Cruiser]

Yes, many of us love Alison!! She is great fun, and a great DM to boot!! We'll be diving with her again on 12/14 .... can't wait!!!:D

 

Just a quick update!!! Did three dives on 12-14 with 'Scuba with Alison' ..... not only was it the best dives of our trip, but on the last dive at San Francisco Wall we were surrounded by a pod of about 30 dolphins passing by us under water ..... it was amazing!!!!

[AlanFromFL]

For several years we have been diving with Careyitos Advanced Diving in Coz; I can't say enough about the service & crew. Ricardo & Tony are the greatest. Check out www.advanceddivers.com.

[Choozin Croozin]

Does anyone know if any of these dive shops mentioned in GC take snorkelers out too? Or is it too deep (and we're to novice :rolleyes: ) ?

[coevan]

Any more recommendations for diving in Cayman without the CCL shore excursion?

[deepstops]

I could not open the link to the dive shop. Is that the correct address?

 

Try this one: http://www.bestdivingingrandcayman.com/

 

I was there in 2004 (just after Ivan ripped through) and dove w/ Don Fosters. I greatly enjoyed the trip. Don Foster's is about 1/4 to a 1/2 mile to the right after you get off the tender. I walked it w/ all my gear so I know it's not too far.

[TexCruise371]

oopps, I left some out. Thanks deepstops!

[cruzegirl]

I was just on a cruise for the Caribbean itinerary that included Grand Cayman.... We used Divers Down via Shoretrips.net.... But you can book them through Shoretrips or privately.. They were very good.. And very safe.... I would dive with them again....

[coevan]

bad news for me, Alison and Bluextdivers are both booked on Jan 3 when the Miracle arrives in Cozumel. Does anyone know who CCL uses in Cozumel for their scuba shore excursion? They only charge $90 with equipment, not much more then the private companies.

[cozchristi]

bad news for me, Alison and Bluextdivers are both booked on Jan 3 when the Miracle arrives in Cozumel. Does anyone know who CCL uses in Cozumel for their scuba shore excursion? They only charge $90 with equipment, not much more then the private companies.

 

Try Eagle Ray Divers http://www.eagleraydivers.com

 

or Scuba Tony http://www.scubatony.com

 

or Raul at http://www.bottomtimedivers.com

 

Don't let price fool you. Even if you pay the same or more with a private company, you will have a completely different experience with any off the smaller private operators. The cruise sponsored operator is not bad, you just have to keep in mind that they are catering to the cruise ship masses, not you (and the other 5 or 6 divers) as an individual(s).

 

Your ship arrival schedule also plays a big part in whehter the private operators can accommodate you.

 

Some tips to cruisers who want to book their own diving in Cozumel:

1. If your ship arrives later than 8:00am, your choices become much more limited if there are less than four in your dive group. Whatever your ship arrival time is, plan on45 minutes to an hour before you can reasonable make it to the departure point.
   
2. If there are at least four of you, most operators can hold a boat aside to accommodate your group and schedule provided that they have a boat that is available and doesn't already have land based divers booked on it.
   
3. SOMETIMES, the operator can check with the land based divers who already have reservations if they object to a later departure time, but not always.
   
4. Afternoon dives are an option if you have a later morning arrival time, again as long as you have at least four divers. If your ship departs earlier than 5:00 or 6:00pm, the afternoon dive option is eliminated in most cases because it would be difficult to get you back to the ship on time.
   
5. It is very difficult for a dive operator to accommodate only one or two ship divers unless your ship arrives early enough to meet the normal departure schedule of the operator. This is not because they are not flexible, it is because they have the land based divers to consider and schedules to keep for staffing and logistical purposes.
   
6. If booking your own diving, be prepared to walk a few blocks or take a taxi to the meeting point designated by the dive operator. By law (local and federal) private dive boats/tour operators cannot pull up to the ship pier or to the ship. The only exception to ths is the ship sponsored operators. Dive operators are also not permitted by law to provide private transportation to their divers.
   
7. When inquiring about reservations with a dive operator, it is very important to provide your ship name, actual date in port, arrival and departure time, and number of divers in your party. Without this information, an operator cannot confirm availability.

If I think of any more, I'll add them :)

[Cozumel_Tom]

Christi in the house! 8 cruise ships in today girl, you have time to be on the boards? lol! Welcome to Cruise Critic!

[coevan]

Christi,

 

do you know which company CCL uses? how is Blue Angel divers?

Thanks for all the info, Evan

[jmps]

Christi's advice is SO right. Once you try a more personal six pack style operation you will never go back to a larger boat operation. Your first choices were excellent but do try the other operators that she lists. I have heard good things about Raul in particular.

 

Christi welcome to CC.

 

Try Eagle Ray Divers http://www.eagleraydivers.com

 

or Scuba Tony http://www.scubatony.com

 

or Raul at http://www.bottomtimedivers.com

 

Don't let price fool you. Even if you pay the same or more with a private company, you will have a completely different experience with any off the smaller private operators. The cruise sponsored operator is not bad, you just have to keep in mind that they are catering to the cruise ship masses, not you (and the other 5 or 6 divers) as an individual(s).

 

SNIP

 

[Damselfish]

Good advice