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Dive Review of Bahia Divers/Bahia Principe in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Mayan Riviera

Bahia Divers/Bahia Principe, Jan, 2008,

by Mark Hillier, AB, Canada ( 2 reports). Report 3830.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Bahia Divers (not to be confused with the opertaion at the resort (Bahia Dive Center) -although it turns out there is a relation) is located about a 10 min drive up the coast at Xpu-Ha Beach. Well known owners Stefano and Clare Pedroni have recently sold the operation to a group of 3 Spanish divers headed by one Daniel Astuy. Nice people and very helpful. While their english is far better than my spanish, some explanations were lacking for want of linguistic skills (the whole staff are taking english classes). I did an ocean dive with Daniel and his divemaster-in-training, Luis, on a local reef (Meros)that was unremarkable with the reef showing regular dead patches from various storms. Some nice sponges and corals but nothing special. 2 green turtles made this dive. A gentle and measured approach got us to within a few feet of them while feeding.

We surfaced to no dive boat and 10 foot swells. The boat was visible in the distance but it could not see us. After about 20 minutes of bobbing around, blowing whistles and waving signal tubes, we flagged a passing catermaran and they notified the boat to our location. Boat is nothing special and the motor didn't give me lots of confidence but dive sites are close by and never far from shore. Entry is by back roll, there are no ladders and you board the boatthrough the surf.

A few hiccups but these are solid people starting a new business and a few bumps are to be expected. They specialize in small, personal groups (4 divers max) -a pleasant reprieve from the cattle boats that run from the resort.

I did 2 Cenote dives at Dos Ojos with Stefano and two other divers. Stefano was very professional and has years of experience in the Cenotes. He gave succinct and informative briefings and made sure everyone was comfortable. His preference is to get an early start (8am pickup) to be the first in the Cenote and judging from the number of divers there by the time we surfaced from the first dive, it is a good idea. Dos Ojos offers great vis of well over 100' and is an amazing experience. One of our group felt a little uncomfortable with the overhead environment so it may not be for everyone. You are always withing sight of daylight and Stefano can have you out in less than a minute from anywhere within the caverns. There are only a few very small fish and some fresh water shrimp but the Cenote is all about the view and not the critters. You should be comfortable with your buoyancy for the Cenote as striking stalagtites often breaks them.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 0-25 dives
Where else diving Mexico, Victoria (Canada)
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy, noCurrents
Water Temp 24-26°C / 75-79°F Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 80-90 Ft/ 24-27 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile ?
Enforced diving restrictions As I was the ony customer on this dive, this wasn't an issue. We surfaced with about 600 psi so they did not rush anyone or push an agenda.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 2 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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

Subject Matter 2 stars Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 2 stars Shore Facilities 1 stars
UW Photo Comments No separate tanks for rinsing on the boat or at the shop. No good setup area.
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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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