Scuba Club Cozumel

Hi all,

I have read a lot on Wetpixel about this destination, and I now have decided I want to go there.

A couple of questions for those who have been...

Q1. What is like for non-divers? Myself and my buddy are both U/W photographers, both wives are non divers. Are there any discount for non divers?

Q2. Does anyone know how to book from the UK? I may be being a bit stupid, but I an having a hard time finding an operator in the UK.

We intend to go end May/start June.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Non-divers get a slight discount, but I would recommend paying the "diver" rate. If they are "non-divers," they are charged if they opt to join you on any of the dive boats. As "divers," they can choose to snorkle or bubble watch on your boats. The difference is small.

SCC is within walking distance of town. There are, however, no TVs in the rooms. They have a small pool, hammocks, lots of sunshine... I guess it depends on what your non-diving spouses want to do while you are u/w.

Our friend from England who joined us at SCC used our US agent to book her vacation (debbie@maduro.com).

Your ladies will find lots to do in Coz if they like to shop. Cozumel is a major cruise ship destination with 12 to 15 stopping in every week. So they have all the shops bars and restaruants that go all with having all those people descend on the island. The last time we were there some of the non-divers took the ferry over to Playa Del Carmen on the mainland for more shopping. There are small ancient Mayan ruins on the island that are well worth visiting. Lots of things to do that will keep everyone happy while your diving Palancar.

Have fun!

Steve

Q1. What is like for non-divers? Myself and my buddy are both U/W photographers, both wives are non divers. Are there any discount for non divers?

Ditto on what Jim & Steve said. I often meet non-diving spouses, family members, partners, etc. at SCC. The boats are very comfortable and the ladies might like to hang out on the boat, snorkel, sunbath, nap in the shade, etc. I think you can also pay for that per day if you wanted to, but I don't know the cost. Their boats are not the small six-pack boats you see buzzing around all the dive sites. They are large, roomy and comfortable and they all have a head. There's easy access snorkeling right in front of the resort too. Any chance they might want to try Discover Scuba? They could do that right at SCC too. There's also a small swimming pool and plenty of beach palapas and hammocks to hang out in the sun or shade.

Other things they might choose to do depends their desired activity level. There are some great things to see on a trip around the island. Some involve lots of eating and drinking, some involve water sports, some involve hiking & sightseeing and of course there's lots of shopping. There's a spa within walking distance of SCC where they can get massages and facials. Just down the street you can sit outside at Jeannie's Waffle House, sip cocktails, and watch the cruise ship tourists do SNUBA. Bring your cameras. Its hysterical entertainment!

I've done the "Wild Tours" jeep trip to the Mayan ruins on the northeast side of the island. It sounded kind of touristy at first, but we had a blast! You can also go to the many beach parks on the island, but they usually fill up with cruise ship tourists during the day. There you can rent jet skis, hobie cats, etc. You can also try parasailing. Chankanaab Park is nice if they wanted to hang out for the day or swim with the dolphins (a better deal than at the Dolphin place closer to town). There are a couple of places where they can rent horses, but I've never done that so I don't know how good that is.

Shopping in town can be just plain obnoxious if you have to fight the cruise ship crowds. I recommend going there on Sunday evening when its a family event at the square and all the local folks bring their kids out all dressed up in their Sunday clothes.

They can always go to a timeshare presentation (be sure to give them your credit card). That's not what I consider fun, but someone else might.

Q2. Does anyone know how to book from the UK? I may be being a bit stupid, but I an having a hard time finding an operator in the UK.

Another option would be to book direct through the Scuba Club Cozumel website. This will go to their office in Texas and they'll take care of the reservations there.

OK, enough ranting. Obvious we all love the place! Can I come?

Your best bet on booking is one of two things. Either book it yourself through Houston International or see if you can find a hotel plus air deal at Applevacations.com or funjet.com ... either one specializes in the Mexican Riviera. Also, not to be missed are the Cenotes on the mainland and I'm sure the SCC will have a day planned for those.

WOW, thanks all for the replies, especially underwatercolours, for the "in depth" info.

I am going to look at all options for getting there from the UK, but I wonder if any Brits have been there? My guess is yes, so if there any reading this, please let me know how you booked it. I would be most grateful.

Also, which is the closest airport? Maybe I could book the resort direct, and sort out my own flights. What about transfers etc?

One final question, what are conditions like during end May/ beginning june? That is when I think we may be going. (So we would be there for my wife's birthday)

Thanks again for the advice so far.

Also, which is the closest airport?

The closest airport is, not surprisingly, Cozumel [CZM]. That is the most convenient airport to use. From the airport, it's easy and inexpensive (less than $10) to get to Scuba Club Cozumel. Some folks, on the other hand, fly into Cancun on the mainland. The downside of this is that they have to take a bus to Playa Del Carmen where they catch a ferry to Cozumel. See the following link for more information on getting to Cozumel from Cancun:

Ferry from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel

I've been to Cozumel four times. I just returned a few weeks ago from spending one week at Scuba Club Cozumel and I did the same last August. For all four of my trips to Coz, I've always flown directly into Cozumel and have never had to take the ferry from the mainland.

What about transfers etc?

These may be included in your package but I'm not certain about this.

If you're able to go in February or August instead of May/June, I highly recommend doing Bonnie's Underwater Digital Photography Workshop. I've been to this workshop twice (August 2007 and August 2008) and have greatly enjoyed both trips. There is no extra charge for the workshop to guests at Scuba Club Cozumel. Bonnie is Underwatercolours who responded to your post. Bonnie has a unique way of combining Fun and serious learning to make for a most memorable vacation.

I've only been to Cozumel once in May/June so I'll leave it for others to comment on the weather during that time.

Hope that helps. Feel free to post or send a PM if you have other questions.

Ellen

Some folks, on the other hand, fly into Cancun on the mainland. The downside of this is that they have to take a bus to Playa Del Carmen where they catch a ferry to Cozumel.

did this once and I won't do it again. The closest the taxi can get you to the dock is about 200yds of cobblestone streets. Additionally you won't save any money going into Cancun.

June is spectacular. Both my trips, one early and one late, were perfect. Whale Sharks trips start in June to the upper Yucatan.

Thanks Ellen! Yes, I'd love to have GHP join us, but June is also one of the BEST times to go to Cozumel. I'll elaborate, since I know he will want to go back again once he gets a taste of Cozumel.

March, April, May, June is usually drop dead gorgeous. July and August is hotter and humid, and the skies are usually blue. September and October is the time you might be most affected by hurricanes, but if there are none lined up, the weather is some of the best I've ever experienced. November gets colder because the "Nortes" can kick up. This is cold wind that blows down from Canada. Of all the times I've been there, I've experienced the most port closures (meaning NO DIVING) during this time. This typically lasts a couple of days. Scuba Club has big boats which is an advantage. When the harbor master closes the port because of weather, its closed to the small boats first, allowing big boats to go out. On a morning when the port is closed, the port typically opens to big boats first, then small boats later in the day. Also, the big boats offer a lot more protection from the wind. I usually suggest people bring a warm wind or windbreaker for the surface interval and ride home either way. December, January and February can be cool and sometimes windy too, but usually the conditions are very pleasant. Again, this is from my experience there and with weather, anything can change overnight. Weather doesn't affect the underwater conditions all that much. Visibility is almost always over 100' in Cozumel, so if the port is open, I dive.

Also, transfers are not included in the SCC packages. The airport is just a couple miles away from the resort and like Ellen said, the cost is $10pp. On the way back you can grab a cab for the same price.

I've also flown into Cancun, took the bus ride down to Playa and the ferry across. I got lucky twice, but one missed connection and I would have been screwed. Not worth the couple of bucks I saved, but might be worth it if anyone did come out with a really good airfare into CUN. Flights to CZM have been running several hundred dollars higher this year than in past years, but still worth every penny. Eventually, I'm just going to stay there and not have to worry about airfares and then you can all come and visit me.

Bonnie

Hi all,

I have read a lot on Wetpixel about this destination, and I now have decided I want to go there.

A couple of questions for those who have been...

 

Q1. What is like for non-divers? Myself and my buddy are both U/W photographers, both wives are non divers. Are there any discount for non divers?

 

Q2. Does anyone know how to book from the UK? I may be being a bit stupid, but I an having a hard time finding an operator in the UK.

 

We intend to go end May/start June.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi - sorry for the delay in replying, I've just got home from 2 weeks non-diving holiday. I won't bother answering about activities for non-divers, you've got loads of replies already!

However, I'm from Stourbridge, near Birmingham in the UK, and I spent 2 weeks in Cozumel in August (with a group of friends from LA). As Jim Lyle told you earlier, I booked the resort through their agent, debbie@maduro.com. I booked my own flights direct with Air Canada - www.aircanada.com - seemed like the most efficient compromise between travelling time and cost. I flew from Heathrow to Toronto and then directly to Cozumel (or I would have done if it had all worked out but that's another story!). I was comfortable on the long flights, and at the time I booked the baggage allowance (economy class) was on a piece basis i.e. 2 pieces of up to 32 kg each, wow! They may have changed that by now. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 weeks, almost limitless very good diving, comfortable accomodation, and plenty of excellent food. What more could you ask?

Hope you enjoy your trip if you go ahead with it.