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Dive Review of Paradise Divers/Hotel Cozumel and Resort in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Cozumel

Paradise Divers/Hotel Cozumel and Resort, Sep, 2007,

by Michael J. Millet, CA, USA (Top Contributor Top Contributor 92 reports with 58 Helpful votes). Report 3683.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 2 stars Food 1 stars
Service and Attitude 2 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments This was my sixth dive trip to Cozumel but first since Hurricane Wilma. Many reefs are not only still covered with sand; the sand is actually imbedded into the coral. The currents seem to be running a bit stronger this trip. All very manageable but made it a bit tough for photography. Lots of eels, turtles, and reef fish.

The service, facilities and food at the Hotel Cozumel has definitely declined since 2004. The rooms need to be re-up'd and the food lacks variety and quality. The operation seems generally disorganized and mismanaged. We did not have phone service for the entire 10 days of our stay. The hotel blamed it on an electrical storm. I don't think so. It took 2 days to get another chair for our room (the room was initially short some furniture).

The Dive Paradise operation is also a bit disorganized. Since it relies on the telephone service of Hotel Cozumel it too did not have any phone service for our entire stay. Thus it could not take any credit cards for dive expenses. Had to walk about 10 minutes to the operation's main office to use a credit card. Paid for several Nitrox tanks but did not get to use them all because on a couple of dives the operation forget to load the Nitrox on the dive boat. On another dive, 36% was loaded instead of 32%. It was for a shallow dive so it worked out but it's still an indication of the overall unreliability of the operation. Had to constantly ask about the Nitrox to be sure it was on the boat.

The regular dive package includes the SLOOOWWWW so-called Caribbean Boats. We booked the fast boats which are a better deal. Dive Paradise does not offer a one-tank PM fast boat trip--only the slow boats in the PM for one tank. It should really consider offering the former.

In conclusion, it's doubtful that I will stay at Hotel Cozumel for my next trip to the island. It's too bad because it used to be a great deal for great service at a pretty good place.
I may use Paradise Divers again but will definitely check out other diving options.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving All over the Caribbean and many locations in the South Pacific
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas currents
Water Temp 82-85°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 75-100 Ft/ 23-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions All dives are guided drift dives so divers must stay with group. Divers on NItrox with good air consumption were allowed to have extended dives.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments Dive boats had camera buckets.
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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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