Dive Review of divewithcristina in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan

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divewithcristina: "Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro", Jan, 2021, by Glen Madsen, UT, US ( Sr. Reviewer 9 reports with 7 Helpful votes). Report 11507 has 1 Helpful vote.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	A marvelous experience covering 4 distinct areas. We began in Cozumel and dove with divewithcristina.com We have been using them for many trips and I can’t say enough about how much we love them! Their boat “The Nena” is large, but slow, which we enjoy as it is so comfortable. They lay out a lunch spread that is amazing and plenty of places to lounge. The divemaster’s are top notch and have great briefings. We bring new divers each time and they have a dedicated divemaster that goes over skills, and really takes good care of them. The diving is Cozumel was a little less than normal as we were having the northeasters that caused the port to be closed a couple days and the visibility was only around 80’ to 100’. The sea was a bit choppy but the Nena crew handled everything, so it was a non-event. Stayed at Costa del Sol which is 12km south of town with their own pier that we are picked up from daily. Very nice. We then crossed to the mainland and dove with the bull sharks at Playa del Carmen. There were multiple sharks, and they would come in very close. There were loads of remora’s hanging around and bumping into us. The viz was low from the northeasters but we managed a great dive with the bull sharks. We then went down to a cenote Dos Ojos near Tulum. Crystal clear fresh water, but regardless of what they tell you, this was a cave dive, not a cavern dive. There were many places that we were in a total overhead enclosed environment. They did have two dive masters for 5 people with full cave gear, but if you think you might panic in a cave, don’t go on this dive. That said, it was absolutely spectacular! They took great care of us and we had a great time. I will say, that for me, a cenote is a one and done. Very cool but I would not need to do it again. From there we traveled down to Mahahual and hooked up with Mahahual Dive Centre and owner Jorge. Jorge is a top shelf owner/divemaster and concierge is his middle name. We stayed in the penthouse apartment directly above the dive shop so that was convenient and right on the beach. The diving in Mahahual was only ok due to the recent storms. Their port had been closed the 5 days prior to our arrival so we were fortunate to dive at all. Jorge’s boat, gear, and crew were all very good! He runs an admirable business. While in Mahahual don’t miss eating at 40 cannons on the water front! Jorge took us down the Xcalak for a day of diving with XTC Dive Center. They have a very tight operation with loads of people to help. I believe XTC is a school for divemasters and instructors, so we had plenty of quality help. Divemasters from Mexico, Holland, Finland, and California. There is a lot of tongue and groove and as we went up a groove, we happened upon a sleeping manatee! It was enormous and as we approached from the rear, we were able to get very close before he lumbered off. He was sleeping amongst a school of huge tarpon, so that was a double whammy for coolness! The next day Jorge arranged for our bucket list trip out to Banco Chinchorro! Because of the storms, the water was still a bit rough so the 1.75 hour trip was pretty jarring and wet, but as soon as you come into the atoll area, the seas calmed and turned to that magical turquoise! We hit the water and were met with everything we hoped for! Lost of pillars to swim around and absolutely tons of fish. The coral was vibrant with color and very healthy. The macro life was amazing. We did three dives out there and they were spectacular. We even spent our lunchtime surface interval at the boat captains cabin built on stilts about 3 feet above the water and fed the lionfish we speared to the crocodiles. There were about 8 cabins on stilts that the local fisherman come and stay in for 4 to 5 weeks while collecting lobsters. Very remote! The boat ride back was with the wind so very nice. What a fabulous day!
Websites	divewithcristina
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Cozumel, Bahamas, Hawaii, Roatan, BVI, USVI
Closest Airport	Cozumel	Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy	Seas	choppy
Water Temp	80-83°F / 27-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility	80-100 Ft/ 24-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	[Unspecified]
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	[None]

Report currently has 1 Helpful vote

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Dive Review of divewithcristina in Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan

divewithcristina: "Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro", Jan, 2021,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of divewithcristina in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan