Dive Tips
Diving in Cozumel is an unforgettable experience, but being prepared makes it even better! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, these tips will help you stay safe, enjoy your dives, and make the most of your time underwater.
Before you go on the boat make shure you check your buoyancy from the beach.
Always maintain neutral buoyancy while diving.
Follow the divemaster, boat crew follows the bubbles from the surface.
If you want to see small marine life, face against the current and kick lightly to remain in the area.
Start your ascent to the safety stop with 700 lbs of air. Do not run out of air.
Always do a SAFE (slowly ascend from every dive) ascent. Remember to release some air from your BCD while ascending, at the surface, inflate your BCD and remain calm while the boat pick you up.
Stay close to the Divemaster, there are always more boats in the area.
At the surface maintain positive buoyancy and remain calm while the boat picks you up.
COZUMEL is a NATIONAL PARK, it is forbidden by law to pick up shells or anything else even if it is dead. You can only take memories and pictures.
Make sure you are diving within your limits.
Look at your depth gauge or computer. Because the water is so clear it is easy to go deeper than your plan.
Look at your pressure gauge. Deep dives consume more air.
Don´t exceed your computer limits, come to a shallower depth when your computer shows 5 minutes remaining time.
Plan multilevel dives, Cozumel walls are ideal for that.
If you experience nitrogen narcosis, ascend to a shallower depth, wait for the symptoms to disappear before continue diving.
All dives are drift dives.
Descend and ascend as a group.
All dives are computer dives in order to maximize bottom time according to the topography of the reefs.
Deep dive first followed by shallower dives.
No decompression dives allowed.
If you wish to dive with nitrox , it must be request it in advanced, and it bears an additional cost. Mixtures 32% or 36%.
Upon reaching 1000 psia begin your ascent to the safety stop. Avoid finishing your dive with less than 500 psia.
Is normally a wall dive to a depth of 80 ft to 100 ft, You will swim through big coral formations coming from deep to shallow reefs. We may choose to saty in one area of the wall to concentrate on the reef arquitecture or look for bigger animals; turtles, groupers, schooling jacks, nurse or reef sharks or prehaps eagle rays. The possibilities are endless.
Is a depth ranging between 40 and 70 ft. These dive sites usually have more current than the first dive. Here we will see more fish, small marine life, green eels, sleeping sharks, the famous Cozumel toad fish and many more wonderful creatures waiting for you.
We all start to descend together from the surface to the sandy bottom. If you experience difficulties with your ears, let the Instructor know. Work your way down slowly. Fine tune your buoyancy and continue your dive following the leader and checking with your buddy. Remember “Plan the Dive and Dive the Plan”. When your pressure gauge reaches 1000 psi., let the Instructor know and begin your ascent to the safety stop.The best use of the dive computer is not to dive to the limit. Stay within 5 minutes of your remaining time for the first dive. For the second dive and subsequent dives stay within 10 minutes. “Decompression dives are not allowed”.
Safety stops are mandatory for a safe ascent and are performed at 15–20 feet (5–6 meters) for a minimum of 3 minutes. This allows excess nitrogen to safely leave your body and reduces the risk of decompression sickness.
Your dive leader will deploy a surface marker buoy (SMB) during the safety stop to alert your boat and other vessels that divers are ascending. Please maintain neutral buoyancy and stay close to your group during this time.
Between dives, we take a well-deserved break to allow for proper nitrogen off-gassing and to recharge for the next adventure. Whenever possible, we’ll head to a nearby beach close to the second dive site, giving you a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery.
For those seeking a bit more challenge, Cozumel offers special dive sites suited for intermediate and advanced divers. These dives require a minimum of four divers and must be planned at least one day in advance. Weather conditions and approval from the Harbor Master determine whether we can explore these sites, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. If you’re looking for deep walls, strong currents, or breathtaking underwater formations, these dives are worth planning ahead for.
Diving after sunset is an experience like no other. As daylight fades, Cozumel’s reefs come to life in a completely different way, with octopuses, lobsters, and bioluminescent creatures taking center stage. Our night dives take place on shallow reefs and require at least six divers, with arrangements made at least a day in advance. A good dive light is essential, and moving slowly will allow you to fully appreciate the wonders of the ocean at night.
