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Dive Review of Pro Dive/Occidental Grand in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Cozumel

Pro Dive/Occidental Grand , Jun, 2014,

by Karen Card, CA, US (Contributor Contributor 14 reports with 9 Helpful votes). Report 7655.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 2 stars
Dive Operation 2 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 2 stars
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments We expected drift diving and experienced it the last two days within normal range. However, our first four days were in such strong current there wasn't much you could do to slow and see anything, unless in a protected swim-through. Feeling like superman flying over the reef was fun for a while, but I cut my hand trying to hold onto something I should NOT have, in order to stop and see what the DM was trying to show me. We called it Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Dive Tours.

Packed like sardines on the boats, there was not enough room to move around nor seats for everyone a few times. Bad O-rings were replaced right and left. One day we were sent out on a fishing boat with a deck hand who had no idea what to do with divers. I slipped upon re-entry with nothing to hold onto...and no assistance.
One diver was lost and found surfaced 200 yards away. His wife was hysterical. Another couple told us of being caught in a downwards whirlpool during their safety stop and dropped to 100' before they knew what was happening. DM caught them.

All divers we were with had the same reaction. My partner has been diving since 1972, been in Coz before, and was blown away by conditions. Honestly you can't really get left behind since you can see shore and there are lots of dive boats all around, but it was all a little unnerving.

The DM's were all safety conscious, tried to keep the group together, and we all surfaced together (you had to due to the currents) All but one DM were foreign and some did not speak much English. Some were familiar with the area and fish life others were brand new to the area. We DID see plenty of turtles, nurse sharks, and typical tropical fish including a nice spotted drum. The reef was in good condition. Nice swim-throughs on a number of the reefs.

One dive the drop off was so far from the reef, and the current so strong, we used up nearly 1000 psi just swimming to the reef. That was a short dive!

On shore was super crowded, with plastic bins provided to place equipment after dives and then locked up at night. Inadequate facilities. I would use an independent shop in the future who will pick you up at the dock.
Websites Pro Dive   Occidental Grand

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Grand Turk, Little Cayman, Roatan, Cabo Pulmo, California coast and Channel Islands
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas choppy, currents
Water Temp 82-°F / 28-°C Wetsuit Thickness 4
Water Visibility 50-200 Ft/ 15-61 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Stay behind and follow Dive Master at all times
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 1 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 2 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments some boats had no camera tanks and divers used the camera tank on shore for their regs, masks etc.
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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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