Dive Operators:

We have been diving with Careyitos Advanced Divers for over eight years and have gotten to where we simply will not dive with anyone else.  We love diving with these guys!

Founded in 1982 Careyitos Advanced Divers has always been committed to Cozumel’s coral reefs and its marine life. The team’s proactive and service oriented attitude makes for a comfortable dive experience on the boat and underwater, setting the dive boat service standards in Cozumel.

If you would like to dive with them too, please contact us to set up your diving.  They have given us special pricing and we would like to pass those savings on to you.

 

Favorite Dive Spots:

My wife and I have dived all over the Carribean and our favorite dive destination in this part of the world, by far, is Cozumel!  The gorgeous blue waters of the Mayan Riviera are warm and stunningly clear, the sea life diverse and fascinating.

We are frequently asked about our favorite dive spots.  It is difficult to go wrong with any dive in Cozumel, but here are some guidelines to assist you in determining where which spots you might like.

• Anything with “Palancar” in the name is spectacular
• Anything with “Columbia” in the name will surely please
• All of the wall dives are incredible
• Felipe Xicotencatl C-53 Ship Wreck

One of the things Cozumel diving is famous for are the “swim throughs”.  You may be wondering what that is.  Basically, it is a tunnel in the coral reef that is large enough to “swim through”.  Sometimes, as you are exiting one of these you will notice a beautiful deep blue glow.  Other times you exit on a wall. Either way, that is going to be a pretty spectacular dive.

Here is a list of some of our favorite dive sites:

• Palancar
  • Palancar Caves
  • Palancar Gardens
  • Palancar Bricks
  • Palancar Horseshoe
• Columbia
  • Columbia Wall
  • Columbia Deep (Advanced Dive)
  • Columbia Shallows
  • Columbia Pinnacles

• Santa Rosa Wall

• Paradise
• Punta Tunich

 

Advanced Dive Sites:

Cozumel also has many dive sites that are considered advanced dives.  What makes a dive an advanced dive?  There are several factors that make a site an advanced dive.  These include the depth of the dive, the strength of the current, and the potential presence of  up/down drafts.

These sites require you to be a good diver with excellent air consumption and buoyancy skills.  You also need to be comfortable in strong currents and know what to do if caught in an up draft or down draft.  Bottom times are going to be limited, therefore the risk of going into deco is greatly increased.

Do an honest assessment of yourself before going on one of these dives.  If you are still uncertain, ask your dive master to honestly evaluate your skills to see if you are ready to take on one of these dives.  If you’re not ready, keep diving! That is how you will build the necessary skills.

If you are ready, then prepare yourself for some phenomenal diving on clear days.  Stay out of these sites on bad days!

Here is a list of some of our favorite advanced dive sites:

• Punta Sur
  • Devils Throat
  • Maracaibo
• Barracuda
• Columbia Deep

Columbia Deep starts around 90 feet. Normally lots of big fish, turtles, lobsters and crabs hang out on these walls.

Devil’s Throat is a swim through that you enter at around 80 feet. It is an overhead environment with a couple relatively tight spots and can be dark in some areas as well. As you are exiting you will frequently notice that blue glow mentioned before. It can be quite mesmerizing. Take your time and enjoy it; it can be over too fast if you don’t. Pay very close attention to your buoyancy and your depth as you exit. You exit the swim through around 115-120 feet and if you are not careful the current can take you to well over 130 feet very quickly.

Maracaibo frequently has very strong currents as well as up drafts and down drafts.  So, pay attention. The current is sometimes so strong, you can do Maracaibo and Devil’s Throat on the same dive. Of course, you have to be exceptional on air consumption. Expect to see some massive awe inspiring formations. One worth noting is called “Cathedral”.

Barracuda also frequently has very strong currents as well as up drafts and down drafts.  Again, pay attention! (I am starting to feel like a broken record.)  I have been on some dives here that were incredible. We have spotted massive Eagle Rays and turtles on this reef. We have also experienced the scariest dives we have ever encountered on this reef. The conditions can make the most seasoned divers gasp.