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

SeaScuba/Hotel Cozumel and Resort, Jan, 2008,

by Nick McGregor, MN, USA ( 2 reports). Report 3838.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 1 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Hotel Cozumel and resort is located about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the South of the central part of downtown San Miguel. Our stay included an all-inclusive option. The food was on par with most any other all-inclusives. Nothing spectacular as it was buffet food, but not bad. Our room overlooked the central swimming pool area, and it was very clean and basic. When I read reviews, it appears people expect 5-star hotels for 2-star prices. I felt this was a very good Hotel for the price. Access to the ocean was gained from crossing through a tunnel underneath the main road leading to a restaurant and bar which served a very nice lunch and food throughout the afternoon. There was a dining area that could be used for small receptions or meetings. A small sandy beach area provided for great sun tanning and relaxation. Stairs led to the water for those that wanted to snorkel or shore dive. There was a large hot tub which at one time probably was heated, but now was ambient but provided a nice place to rinse off after snorkeling around the dock area. The dock area was very nice and all dive operations could come and pick up guests from this area. Dive Paradise operated from this area and tanks for shore diving could be had for $6.00.

The group of 10 divers I traveled with had made reservations to dive with a company named Sea Scuba. I had dived with them four years ago, and their service was adequate at that time. Checking in at the dive shop, most members of the group pre-paid for 5 days of two tank diving, and one night dive. The fee was reasonable because many of the group were returning customers - $305 for that package, about $55.50 per two tank dive. I knew I would only be with SeaScuba for 2 days, so my fee was higher, $62/ 2 tank dive. We had arrived on Friday, January 25 and were going to begin diving on Saturday, January 26. We requested the boat to be at the hotel at 8 o'clock, and it showed up around 8:30 a.m. The dive master, Luis, apologized stating they had some problems with one of the motors. We loaded the boat and went for our first dive to the shipwreck Filipe Xicotenantl. A very good dive, minimal current. A short surface interval, and back into the water for a 2nd dive. On the way back to the hotel, one engine failed and the other was running poorly. We were promised it would be repaired before the next morning.

On Sunday, the boat was again late about 20 minutes. We attempted to head to the southern reefs, but motor trouble again was apparent. We made a dive near Chankanaab, and then headed to the commercial marina to swap out tanks (the boat was running so poorly that they did not bring extra tanks for our 2nd dive because the boat motors could not handle the weight). Our surface interval was at the marina rather than a nice beach area. Our 2nd dive was near the first, same critters and coral. An assurance was made that the motors would be repaired by Monday. Really? On a Sunday night with Carnival in full swing? Doubtful. I advised them that I would not be diving with them any more and signed up with Aldora. My friends chose to stay with SeaScuba since they had prepaid and they endured increasing frustration from SeaScuba for 2 more days until they were almost left stranded because of engine failure. It took them 2 hrs. to return from Columbia reef to the commercial terminal on Tuesday Jan. 29 because one engine completely failed and the other was coughing! So much for the claim “small, fast boats.” They joined me with Aldora on Wed., and had the best dives of the trip.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Keys, multiple Carribean, Cocos, Galapagos, Gulf of Thailand, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan wrecks
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 75-79°F / 24-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions recreational standards - although we never went past 90 ft
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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