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Dive Review of Tortuga Carey/Casa Colonial in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Cozumel

Tortuga Carey/Casa Colonial: "The Diving & Fun You Expect with a More Intimate & Mexican Feel", Oct, 2016,

by Bill Goodwin, CO, US ( 2 reports). Report 9208.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations N/A Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude N/A Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 2 stars
Snorkeling 3 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments We've been to Cozumel many times for the clear water, fun and likeable people, great reefs, extremely satisfying food and tropical everything.

We've done all our boat dives with Wilberth, Carlos (Charlie) and Anahid of Tortuga Carey Divers over the course of five months spread over years. They provide a fast boat and personal friendly attention with experienced, thoughtful, fun DMs and boat captain. They have a brand new shop that just opened in the new marina next to the old Caleta. The most divers we've ever seen on the boat has been 6, but it's usually just four of us. For larger groups, owner Wilberth Novelo arranges for his close associates in the loose federation of small operators to provide additional boats and service. The primary boat is a fast two-engine panga style with awning. It has safety equipment incl. O2 & Nitrox and over-size tanks are available. Wilberth and Charlie know the reefs from Punta Sur to Barracuda's, and they know how to match reef and the conditions. They are photographers and know how to slow down if you're one, but there are no dedicated facilities for your equipment - and that's never stopped us because the boat is uncrowded and the trips seem fast due to the boat's speed. Once they know you, they just let you stream along with your own speed and tacks in the current and then collect everyone at the end. Diving with these good people, we've seen so many big groupers, nurse sharks and big turtles (Tortuga Carey) that we lost count - even a hammerhead shark! And they've taken us to the biggest stand of healthy elkhorn coral anywhere on the island. They all speak fluent English. The artistically-presented fruit helps make the off-gas break unforgettable. Anahid can create an excellent custom video of your dives if you so desire. A+++

We spent two months this year in our favorite "small Mexican place" - Casa Colonial back in the neighborhoods on 35th. Their website photos will show you why divers and everyone else love the place.
Websites Tortuga Carey   Casa Colonial

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Fiji, Lembeh Strait, Maui, Monterey (CA), Channel Islands (CA), Southern CA Coast, Cabo, Gulf of Calif, Alabama, South Florida, Costa Rica, San Blas Is (Panama), Bonaire, Cayman Brac, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Grenada, Carriacou, Bequia, Roatan, Cozumel, Aquarius Undersea Lab (FL Keys), Denver Aquarium
Closest Airport Cozumel Getting There Fly direct or fly to Cancun with one of many airlines and taxi to Playa del Carmen and take modern ferry to Cozumel.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, currents
Water Temp 83-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 1
Water Visibility 50-120 Ft/ 15-37 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Once they know you, you can go to 130fsw but there's no need to. Possess and know how to use surface signaling buoy.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars 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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