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Dive Review of Aldora Divers in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Cozumel

Aldora Divers, May, 2013,

by BRADLEY CONDO, CO, US (Reviewer Reviewer 4 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 7384 has 1 Helpful vote.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments From the moment we arrived Brent and Debbie – mangers of Villa Aldora and retired Air Force officers – gave us a warm welcome. Our luggage was whisked to our room while we were given a tour of the property. After we settled in Brent chauffeured us to and from the Mega for groceries and libations for the efficiency kitchen. They were available throughout the week and went well beyond the call of duty to make our stay enjoyable.

Our room was four steps to the sand area overlooking the ocean. We had a great view of the downtown piers, the lights across the channel and the comings and goings from the marina to the north. It was quiet and very peaceful. The deck has a covered patio – providing much appreciated shade – and easy access to the float anchored off the deck. A salt water pool provided for a quick cool off.

We chose a room with a king bed, comfortable couch, table and chairs and a small efficiency kitchen. Other rooms had full kitchens, but all we needed for the two of us was the coffee maker and the small frig. The bed linens were first class, the mattress good and the pillows numerous and comfortable. Security was excellent – the front gate was locked at night. Our room was cleaned spotless by the time we returned from the morning dives. We had no problem leaving valuables in open view.

There was easy shore diving and snorkeling in front of the villa – access was by steps and a dive flag was on hand. The current was minimal and snorkelers had no problem venturing either direction and returning without fighting the current. There were tanks a plenty and the shore dives were a lot of fun.

I would estimate that the Villa is located about a mile north of the town square. We sometimes rode the bicycles provided into town for lunch. For dinner we went into town – Brent called a cab and made sure that the fare was correct before we left the villa. Often the driver asked us if he could wait and take us home. Several times we walked to the street and hailed a cab with a max wait of five minutes.

The best parts? Well the Aldora fast boats picked up any downtown guests at the pier and then picked us up at the villa. We could sit on our deck and watch the boat arrive or join the other divers under the shaded area. The other best part – well that would be enjoying a cold refreshment in the shade watching the sun set across the channel.

Julio and Steve were our dive masters for the week. We were fortunate to be paired with experienced divers – they had multiple boats with abilities separated – and dove from the far south to the far north. Aldora has excellent 3rd dive of the day in front of their villa – deep wall and a shallow grass plain are both excellent. But they go where you want to go – far south for the afternoon dive was cheerfully accommodated.

The 120 steel tanks allowed for multi-level dives that averaged 70+ minutes, with a maximum dive of 94 minutes. All but one day was on the small fast boats – we usually arrived at the far south reef sections with little company from other ops. We had the opportunity to venture north of the “established” dive sites on what they are calling the Polar Express.

Everyone dove nitrox - 32 for the first dive and 36 for the second. Aldora owns their own fill plant and we had the opportunity to tour it following dinner one evening. The facility was spotless and looked to be professionally run. Tanks were marked to the 10 of a percent and analyzed to less than +/-.01. I checked CO and found none.

The valet gear service was excellent – they take care of everything but your wetsuit – and staying at the Villa all we had to do was take a few steps to dunk/rise/hang after returning. Entry was back roll and exit was had up gear and up the latter. The small boats had dual 130hp Yamaha engines - speedy.

The marine life? The reef is well protected and healthy. The usual suspects and a couple of sharks in the blue below our depth. Huge groupers.

The Villa was perfect for us. We were able to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the location and the trip to town was inexpensive and easy. Our fellow guests - divers - were good company.

What could they do better – cancel our return flight and have us stay another week – Aldora Villa exceeded all of our expectations.
Websites Aldora Divers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving South Pacific, Hawaii, Florida, So Cal
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, currents
Water Temp 82-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-80 Ft/ 15-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Drift diving
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

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