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Dive Review of Aldora Divers/Meson San Miguel Hotel in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan

Aldora Divers/Meson San Miguel Hotel, Feb, 2003,

by David P. Chappel, FL, USA . Report 355.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 1 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 1 stars
Comments 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.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 26-50 dives
Where else diving South Pacific, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Bahama, New England, Washington State (San Juan Islands)
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas currents
Water Temp 76-78°F / 24-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 75-125 Ft/ 23-38 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Profiles based on the least experienced diver(s) signed up for boat on that particular day.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

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]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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