8 Spots Left! (11 women 5 men) August 16-23 2007 WHALESHARKS!!! Yep Holbox & Cozy & Cenotes!

Document Update:

1. Don aka Dandy Don got your survey...but no waiver...how did you send the waiver???

Waiver? Guess I missed it, for Jer and for both of my trips. Will get on it - sorry.

Don't see the Waiver link? Can you link me to it here?

And idea? Color your needed links to Survey, Waivers, etc in bold red maybe when you post a trip...?

Edited by DandyDon, 07 March 2007 - 07:59 PM.

Waiver? Guess I missed it, for Jer and for both of my trips. Will get on it - sorry.

Don't see the Waiver link? Can you link me to it here?

And idea? Color your needed links to Survey, Waivers, etc in bold red maybe when you post a trip...?

Okay, never mind - dug around, found it. http://www.singlediv...a...ost&id=3468

It might be easier on new folks singing up to put that link in the first post.

Usually the trip mods email it to the members...but it seems we missed ya! Sorry...good suggestion. Will try to retrofit the existing threads and put it in the new ones! -ww

Okay, it's a long time until August, but then I know you like to try to get things organized well in advance so you don't have 20 people coming at you at the last minute with new ideas - so here are a few additional plans I'd like to include for Cozumel, since we're only going to be there for 3 days...

Day 1: I'd really like to add a 2 tank boat trip in the afternoon, with 1 Nitrox tank for dive #3 of the day. I've done this on air and it really crowds the Ndls! Diving 4 times the first day is not difficult, since the hotel, meals, dock and all are so close. What do you need to organize another boat that afternoon, and how much of course - on the extra trip and the Nitrox...?

Day 2: I'll be ready for a break that afternoon, but - even though the days are long in August, I'd like to do a Twilight dive trip. I haven't seen a Splendid Toad or even a local Octopus in too long. Could that be done, and of course - how much?

Day 3: That afternoon, I think I want to rent a car, drive around the sound end and back side, then stop in on the Temple ruins for the tour. I'll bring that up again later on, tho.

The Cenote dives were the highlight of my last trip, looking forward to those again. I had problems with a fogging lens, but I'll see if I can load some pics from that day. It's really awesome...!

Thanks Don...great ideas...


So who is up for extra dives on day one? I know we need a minimum of 5 divers...I'll verify the add-on pricing.

Same for a boat night dive...5 divers...however to do a shore night dive is no additional charge!

Sightseeing the island is VERY FUN! If you have not seen much of Cozumel you are in for treat. If you have nto seen much of her since the storms...you'll be bewildered and simultaneously amazed! ideas Don!

Here are a few pics from our previous trip to the mainland Cenotes. Hope this lays out ok on your monitor; looks ok on my laptop with full screen open...

How some locals carry luggage to ferry vs us using local porters & their tricycles....

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Gearing up at the cavern. Ladder back out - always know your exit....

Couple of last looks before the stride.....

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Stay close to your bud. Darker than any night dive....

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Really mystical swimming between cave features.....

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On one hand, it's a wonderful experience with an adventurous feeling. I've toured tourist caves with improved walkways & lighting, and I've crawled through some with just our flashlights, but swimming thru with dive lights was even more breathtaking. Literally, as I had to calm myself down at first - pretty exciting, and as long as WW had known me, I don't think she's ever seen me excited. Doesn't happen often.

On the other hand, it's quite safe - even safer than diving the Coz channel. The paths you follow along the staked lines are thru single file passages, but the lines are redundant to the guide each group of four follows as they know the ways ever well, and you're really never cramped for room. In the unlikely event of an air problem - a possibility every diver wants to always be prepared for, just grab your bud's fin or turn around, as there is plenty of room. There was a feeling for real cave diving, but not so at all - as there is air overhead almost all the time with but some swim thrus. It looked like the water went to the roof, until I'd look closer and see that it was actually a reflection I was seeing.

Anyone else in the group ever dived the Cenotes? I had some camera housing lens fogging problems, but do have more pics that came out okay if y'all'd like to see some more.

Edited by DandyDon, 11 April 2007 - 12:10 PM.

I dove Dos Ojos with WW, Gar aka BluBlood and Michael aka Neptuner 2 years ago this past January...I agree - it's breath taking!

The water is so clear and the diving is so different than anything else I'd done before. It really made me think about getting a cave cert, if for no other reason than just getting to explore more than I got to at the time.

WOW Don!!! When you said you wanted to post a few pictures I had no idea you were going to post such a great story line!

This is a great way to help people understand what to expect!

Booked my plane ticket, but this time called to ask the Continental agent if there were any cheaper fare codes that could be opened up at a later date if the Powers decided to do so. Wish I'd thot to ask that on my Houston ticket.

Thur - Aug 16: Arrive IAH on Cont Air at 6:47 am; depart Cont Air #CO1696 at 9:15am to arrive CZM at 11:38am.

I guess this will be a common flight for some. If anyone is not air travel savy, has never been to Cozumel before, or for any other reason I might be of some assistance - do let me know.

Thur - Aug 23: Depart CUN on Cont Air #CO465 at 1:55pm Will send remaining paperwork with next payment. Passport & Trip Ins OK.

It's gonna be good to get back to Coz again, do the Cenotes again, and then - the Whaleshark dives I've never done before.

Single file thru the Cenote Dive, staying close...

Swimming between cave features illuminated with your dive light....

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Edited by DandyDon, 11 April 2007 - 12:09 PM.

It's still almost five months away...! Well, I have a couple of other trips between now and then, but still - this one looks so great, I can hardly wait.

I'm incorrigible about my long range thinking & planning, but I get a lot out of a trip that way. For the days on Coz Is, and based on my experiences there before, I'm thinking along these lines...

Day 1: Arrive on time I hope, do the airport shuffle, get to the Casa for lunch & meeting the others in the group "Howdy, relaxing.* I have to leave my house at 3am so I usually sleep on the planes but still need an afternoon siesta.

Day 2: Nice breakfast on the way to the dock, 2 tank trip,*2 light lunch, maybe an afternoon shore dive - perhaps down the beach a little ways, or back up the beach, as there are areas both directions where the snorkelers go.

Day 3: Same start, but add an afternoon boat trip*3 and one tank of Nitrox.*4

Day 4: Last full day on island - breakfast, 2 tank trip, lunch, then drive around the south end on the island and back up the east side stopping perhaps at El Cedral, Paradise beach club at Punta Sur, Coconuts, Natural Pool, then on the way back to town - San Gervasio archaeological site.*5

* Question for WW: I'll need my pony filled on arrival. Del Mar did have their own compressor - unusual for the island, but only ran it once or twice a day. Do you know if they have it back, and about getting that filled first day? I've never been charged for this anywhere.

*2 Need to line up one of Del Mar's 100 cf tanks. Do you want to deal with them on that, or should I? They didn't charge me last time.

*3 Do you want to deal with them on that extra trip, or should I? Got a cost?

*4 I guess you'll need Nitrox requests the day before, and I guess the costs are on page 1 here?

*5 I have rented and driven on Coz before, but hate to - as it's costly, full insurance is virtually required, and they have zero tolerance for drinking even one beer and driving. One buddy mentioned recently...

On one Coz trip a year or so ago, six of us hired a van taxi to take us around the island for $75. Our driver stopped everywhere we wanted him to (Mescalito's, Coconuts, Playa Bonita, El Mirador, Bob's Marley Bar...) and waited while we drank, ate, and played in the surf. He picked us up at the hotel at about 1 PM after our morning dives and got us back by about 6:30 or so. It was great.

Comments, anyone...??

Update:

1. I will have an update on the price of extra dives in Cozy, the price of nitrox, if the compressor is working and the any upcharge for the 100cf tanks shortly.

2. Anything else anyone wants to know?

3. Is there anyone NOT planning on doing the cenotes? I've had one person interested in the trip who is not interested and is curious what her options are if she passes on them. I am looking at the logistics but since we set it up to go from the Cozumel ferry directly to the Cenotes and then from the Cenotes to Holbox it will not be possible I think to dive in Cozy an extra day and then meet us. I am checking to see if there is anything else to do around the area.

Who else is not planning on doing the cenotes?

Note: The question has arisen as to what level of skill you need? Yes you need some diving under your belt, preferably AOW or equivelent but you will be escorted by a guide (1 to every 4 divers) however this is not for everyone. Ans while they have an excellent safety record...it will be an overhead environment for many parts of the dive, not very deep and there is a turn around point if you are low on air or are not comfortable.

4. Don's plan looks very reasonable...anyone else for something similar?

Is there anyone NOT planning on doing the cenotes? I've had one person interested in the trip who is not interested and is curious what her options are if she passes on them. I am looking at the logistics but since we set it up to go from the Cozumel ferry directly to the Cenotes and then from the Cenotes to Holbox it will not be possible I think to dive in Cozy an extra day and then meet us. I am checking to see if there is anything else to do around the area.

Who else is not planning on doing the cenotes?

I can see where the Cenotes could be a little intimidating to some maybe, and it was exciting to me - but beyond being breath taking, they are an amazing experience.

Depending on which entrance we use, we may scuba over to another - my group started as Dos Ojos and did a surface at Bat Cave where we saw snorkelers. I guess one could dive or even snorkel the mouth of any Cenote if they did not feel comfortable with the swim thrus.

But keep in mind that we will be escorted by very experienced local guides with a 4 to 1 ration - half of that in the Coz park, as well as some very accomplished divers in our own group. Buddy with WW, as she's a total mother hen as well as anaerobic diver who always has half a tank left over. Or buddy with me; I'm not so accomplished, but I do carry a pony bottle and like to help.

Let me know if I can help...??

Edited by DandyDon, 30 March 2007 - 12:32 PM.

While I would encourage everyone to do the Cenotes dives, I appreciate it just may not be for everyone.

There are a lot of other possibilities in that area, so if needed - perhaps WW could arrange for an alternate tour as needed for that day, to scuba nearby by coastal sites or tour nearby ruins, then hook up with the bus as we leave the Cenotes.

The logistics would be a bit challenged, as cell phone communication is not what it is in the states - I don't even turn mine own for fear of ungodly roaming charges, and I really hate to see the group split up on transit day, but - as mentioned on other threads. SD does accommodate the needs.

My $500 payment going out today. Should be there by due date.

Thank you Don for your payment and for the ideas. He sent me some suggestions so will work on them to see how they look!