Possible MAAST trp to Cozumel?

[matt]

I'm posting this to get a feel for how many members would be interested in taking a group trip to Cozumel, possibly in February 2005. Probably each person would find his/her own airtravel, and we'd be staying at the Village Tankah bed and breakfast. I'll be posting some photos and description on this thread soon. This place only has 8 rooms, so we could basically fill the place and have it to ourselves. I just got back from staying 5 nights at Village Tankah and I loved it. The dive op, directly across the street, is Roberta's Eco-Dive Cozumel, also known as Scuba Shack. It's a GREAT dive op; small 6 person boats, lots of personal attention, run be very high quality people. I'm not sure of the price yet, but I'm certain it would be very reasonable and less expensive than the large hotel/dive packages.

For those who would really prefer a full service hotel, there's the Casa Del Mar immediately next door, which we could have some rooms in as well. The owner of the dive op and bed and breakfast sometimes works with this hotel for larger groups.

For anyone who knows a bit about Cozumel, the B&B and dive op are located a couple hundred yards north of La Ceiba. So, shore dives are in La Ceiba which is one of the best shore dive spots. Downtown is about 3 miles north.

[R_S_C]

i would be interested, depending on cost of course.

[360Reef]

The only problem I see is that Febuary is the high season in Cozumel, so it is going to be more expensive then say the summer time.

-Greg

[Ram_Puppy]

Matt, do you know if this dive op can complete open water certification? I am trying to land my hands on some scuba books for me and my wife so we can read up, take a few classes and start down our road to certification.

I think we would be interested as well, but feb may be too soon.

[brewercm]

Man, I'd love to go but I'll be starting a fairly new job at that point, and don't know if I could pull my wife away from the baby that long. I'll keep an eye on things as they start to develope.

[ziggyrocket]

I would be interested....cost would be a factor ;-)

[prof]

I am in. Let me know details. Of course pending cost and date...

[z28pwr]

I would be interested, but I like to go to Cozumel in June/July I seem to get better deals and good service in that time of year.

As far as Dive Operators I really like Mantaraya www.mantaraya.com I've been using them for 2 years now and they've been excellent, I was referred to them by Sherri Ancira which has been diving with them for longer then that and I know another dozen of people from San Antonio that use him aswell with excellent comments. If we have 6-8 divers we could rent out the boat and he would pick us up at the dock of our hotels even if we are in diferent hotels.


Just giving some ideas.

[matt]

Matt, do you know if this dive op can complete open water certification? I am trying to land my hands on some scuba books for me and my wife so we can read up, take a few classes and start down our road to certification.

I think we would be interested as well, but feb may be too soon.

Yes, they are a PADI facility. I was considering taking my AOW; the additional cost on my package would have been $100, and it would have been a private class. I ended up opting out this time because I just wanted to dive. Here's a link to the dive op website:

http://www.scubashackcozumel.com/

Remember that the prices listed on the site are for walk up; as a group booking a several day trip, we'd get a much better deal. For those interested in taking certification, I'm sure we could work out something where you do the class and pool work here and the open water dives down there.

As far as prices go, I paid about $110/day, staying alone in a single room, for both lodging and 2 tank dive. (Typical price for a 2 tank dive with any of the more popular dive ops is around $65) Those sharing a room will pay quite a bit less, and I'm certain the group rate we would get would be substantially lower as well. Shore dives are free, and at La Ceiba they're nice. I dove 4 tanks everyday, paying a little extra for some extra boat dives and doing a few shore dives.

Regarding the dates, initially the owner, Roberta, and I were thinking about the long weekend around Feb 12; I think that's president's day or something like that. I was thinking of a 4 night/3 day package, arriving Friday night, returning Tuesday. Dives would be Sat-Mon. Depending on when your flight returned on Tuesday, you could dive as late as Monday afternoon. Since it's a long weekend, those of us with jobs would only miss one day of work. (I think that's how it works...)

Since this is just in the beginning stages, any and all input is really welcome!

[alexwolf]

My wife wants to get cert, but doesnt want to do it in the lakes. Maybe this would be a good idea......

[Ram_Puppy]

anyone have some good books on scuba that would help towards getting a cert? any reccomendations? I am afast book learner on stuff like this, and would like to cut the expensive classes down to a minimum.

[z28pwr]

anyone have some good books on scuba that would help towards getting a cert? any reccomendations? I am afast book learner on stuff like this, and would like to cut the expensive classes down to a minimum.

You can borrow my PADI course book, but I need it back when you're finished.