Instant Reader Report on Diving
Aldora Divers/Meson San Miguel Hotel in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan in
2003/02

by
David P. Chappel, FL, USA
Report Number 030211122438171

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 South Pacific, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, St. Vincent & The
Grenadines, Bahama, New England, Washington State (San Juan Islands) 

Profiles based on the least experienced diver(s) signed up for boat on that
particular day.  

[None]  

Overall Rating

Aldora is a good operation if you are a beginner. The dive masters are very
professional and provide excellent briefings. This is not, however, an
outfit exclusively for intermediate level and above divers. The dives are
determined based on the skill level of the least experienced diver(s) on
the boat. During the week we were there, we made duplicate trips to the
same dive sites. Although we were using steel 100's and computers, they
were unnecessary given the type of diving we were doing (shallow &
bland). This is an expensive outfit. They charge $80 for a 2-tank dive. The
going rate on the island is about $60 for a 2-tank trip. They will tell you
that they charge extra because they are using steel (100) tanks and provide
a "superior" dive experience.  I do believe they are capable of
delivering a superior experience if you bring your own group - and your
abilities are reasonably close. Unfortunately, we had mixed groups (1/2
advanced, 1/2 beginner) each of the 5 days and ended up diving beginner
profiles for 4 of the 5 days. 

In my opinion, they are a high cost / no frills operation. For beverages,
expect warm water.  They are absolutely watching their profit margins
closely.  In all of my years of diving Cozumel, I guess I've become spoiled
by the $60.00 operations that take out 6 divers and provide ice cold soft
drinks, water and snacks.  These $60.00 operators will also take out 2 dive
masters to accomodate varying levels of experience.  Aldora does not
provide this type of experience.  I guess I'd rather go with aluminum 80's
and some high voltage diving for 35 minutes versus sucking on a steel 100
on a crowded shallow reef for 90 minutes. 

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