COZUMEL
November 19-25, 2006
Hotel Cozumel ... Just got back this past Sunday and already I wish I were back diving! The week began with winds preventing us from diving the first few days on the Leeward side of Cozumel. The Harbormaster closed the port to boats and swimmers/divers Monday-Wednesday, but much gratitude to Walter at Deep South Scuba and his continuing extensive research into diving options at different destinations, we were able to get some dives in on the Windward side (when the Leeward side is rough, it is calm on the Windward side!).
We contacted "Aldora Divers", a small dive operation with two small boats, who worked with us to get a few dives in Tuesday and Wednesday. They normally deal with no more than 3-4 divers, but our THANKS to them in working with our large group of 25+! They could only take 10-11 divers out at a time; we alternated between diving and surface intervals on beach to get everyone in the water. The water was clear and we all got wet!
One of the dive sites was the remains of a Spanish Galleon that was uncovered by recent storms, with 17 canons and two anchors. Another very interesting dive site was the unique and spectacular micro atolls (mushroom-like reef formations) fringing Hanan Beach, Tortuga and Ventanas Reef to the south, and El Castillo in the far north. A very nice service of "Aldora Divers" was a warm hooded parker to warm you up between dives (we all needed it too!).
It would benefit you to check them out next time you go to Cozumel, you won't go wrong ... ask for "Memo"! The staff, captain and divemasters were great and we would not hesitate to dive with them again!
Thursday, we were able to ride to the marina and made four dives with "Dive Paradise" ... awesome dives of course ... spotted eagle rays, turtles, eels, seahorses ... more splendid toadfishes than I have ever seen!
Friday, back on course with pickup at hotel and four more great dives! Since we were not flying out until Sunday afternoon, we managed two more dives Saturday morning. All in all, it was a great trip despite weather and what a great group to dive with!!!
S. Scott