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Dive Review of Xcaret/Occidental Grand Flemenco Xcaret in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Mayan Riviera

Xcaret/Occidental Grand Flemenco Xcaret, Nov, 2003,

by KIM S. DEVOE, Colorado, USA . Report 841.

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 N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments The diving is average. The coral reef structure is no where near as developed as it is in Cozumel. The currents are extremely strong: about 4 knots at times. The seas can be very rough on this the widward side of the strait with Cozumel.
Xcaret dive operation is pretty loose. When I told them I was an Assistant Instructor they never even checked my C card. They also were not very alert to inexperienced divers. After dropping us off in blue water that had waves running about 5 ft., in a wind of 20 knots, they took us down to 130+ ft., which really freaked out one diver that had not been diving in a while. He kept depressing his BCD deflator button insted of the power inflator as he headed for the bottom at 150 ft.. I was about to go after him when he swam up using considerable effort with a completely deflated BCD. Then this diver quickly depleted his air supply and headed for the surface without a 3 minute safety stop. Then he went back down after he realized what he had done. This dive master was not in control of his divers.
The following day we had a more experienced or carefull dive master, and had some great dives. I have never seen so many turtles in one dive as at the dive site called appropriately, Tortugas. I think we saw 8 turtles.
Next time I will dive the Cenotes instead. My son, a friend, and I snorkeled Heavens Door and Nohoch Cenote, which was awesome! A spectacular flooded cavern full of Stalactites and Stalagmites.
The Flemenco Xcaret hotel had excellent rooms, food, grounds and service. There is no beach, except a nice sandy inlet, which is great for the kids. And 2 very nice pools. Kids activities and facilities could be better though. We will probably stay there again when I go back to dive the Cenotes.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Australia, HAwaii, Caymans, Cozumel, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Anguilla, US Vigin ISlands, SAba, St. Marten, St. Kitts, Statia, Provedencials, Grand Turk, Florida Keys, Bonaire,
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy, surge, currents
Water Temp 85-86°F / 29-30°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 50-80 Ft/ 15-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 130 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 3 stars Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 2 stars Shore Facilities 1 stars
UW Photo Comments The currents were so strong that macro was very difficult. You had to shoot as you were zooming by.
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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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