Dive Review of
Emerald Dolphin Dive Services/Hotel Cozumel -use to be Las Brisas in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan

Bahamas, Roatan, Belize, Palau, Fiji

Dive Conditions

Depth Limits, Time Limits, Air Consumption  

The Dive Operator was not set up nicely for Photographers.  One or two
buckets were available with fresh water at the beginning of the day, but
after the dive group would use this water for their mask cleanings, I chose
to keep my camera out of the nasty buckets, and brought along my own water
to rinse both of my cameras.  

Overall Rating

Cozumel is the type of trip to make to get in the blue water, care free
drift diving, and some land based activities to boot.  High Viz, and fun
were on my agenda for this return trip.  This was the first time I have
been back to Cozumel since my first trip as a new diver many years ago.  I
was quite disappointed to see how the island now caters to the Cruise
Operators, and have really ruined the great diver's destination that this
place use to be.  The locals are now realizing this, and are trying to
ensure that the divers stay happy, and come back.  The night life is there
if the cruise ships are in town on the strip. Carlos and Charlie’s has lost
most of its old fun feel.  The shops tend to focus around the port calls,
and it was hard to find many open once the ships pulled out.  Note: it is
easier to negotiate with the locals if they know you are a diver, and have
more than a few hours on the island to barter.  The Hotel Cozumel (use to
be Las Brisas) was clean, and the A/C worked great!!  The convenience to
downtown, and the spacious pool area make it a nice place to relax.  The
nightlife was horrible at this location, as was the food.  This is an
all-inclusive place, and your best bet is to go out and explore the local
establishments for meals other than breakfast. We had an incredible
experience eating at the Casa La Mission (not their location downtown, but
one that is about 8 blocks inland).  Great food, and service, along with a
nicely landscaped and interesting grounds to explore.  Go early, and sit
out under the trees by the fountain.  Wild animals are there for the
viewing, as well as the old history of the Mission.  The Dive Operators
broke our group onto two boats after the first day that was a positive. 
The owner Tony is very nice, and the divemaster on the second boat Carlos
was great.  They make fresh Guacamole on the trip out, and provide a simple
lunch, muffins, and plenty of drinks to quench your thirst.  The daily stop
to get additional tanks should be eliminated from the itinerary, and done
up front. These were larger boats that did increase the time to the dive
sites, but allowed our group to be social.  I wish we were able to do some
of the lower end sites, but Palancar's multiple sites and Yucab still have
plenty to swim through, and see fish wise.  The relatively new C-57 wreck
that had been sunk was fun, and had the most current.  It is laid out
nicely for divers to access, and was easy for even new divers in our group
to enjoy.  This is still a great quick getaway, and a good bang for the
buck for us Texas Divers. 

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