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

Aldora Divers/Villa Aldora: "New experience", Feb, 2015,

by John E. Keith, UT, US (Top Contributor Top Contributor 32 reports with 9 Helpful votes). Report 8180 has 2 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments I have written about Aldora Divers and Villa Aldora several times; we have stayed/dived with them every year for the past 5 years and a few times before that, so I don't want to rehash. However, this trip was a little different. We asked to go north since the eagle rays were in, and Aldora Divers took us (along with three other divers). We encountered very strong currents on at least one dive (Barracuda Shallows), and our DM Liang decided to surface on one dive because the group was dispersing rapidly (my wife and I are really slow). The next day, we started at Tormentos, then went north again to see Eagle rays. On this dive, we hit a vortex that sucked us down from 20 feet (where my wife was taking a picture of me) to 105 feet in a few seconds as we swam in toward the reef. I looked around and my wife was nowhere to be seen, nor were the other three divers. Liang recognized the situation, got me paired up with another diver (certified instructor) and went north to get my wife. We surfaced safely after about 5 minutes, but two divers were about 200 yards south and my wife and Liang were 200 years north of us. It was an eye-opening experience, and I am thankful for Liang's quick thinking and response. Another indication that Aldora Divers are exceptional. The rest of the week was uneventful (except for great diving and good food), and we did see a couple of Eagle rays (but not the hordes we were hopeing for). The stay at the Villa was - as usual - wonderful, with Brent and Debbie always ready to help.
Websites Aldora Divers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Mexico, Red Sea, Australia, Caribbean, California, Florida
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, rainy Seas choppy
Water Temp 77-79°F / 25-26°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 50-75 Ft/ 15-23 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions descend/ascend together
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments No rinse buckegs on the small boats.
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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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