531 replies to this topic

[DivingDeb]

Oh My Gosh its WhaleSharks in Holbox!!! Cozumel, Cenotes & Holbox, Mexico August 16-23, 2007




I'm in for this one. Check will go out on Monday.

I'd like D/O
No Nitrox needed
I'd like to do the 3rd tank all three days in Coz.

I'm going to attempt the cenotes. After reading more about them, it looks pretty cool. I get a little claustrophobic in those conditions, but I'll just talk myself out of it.

Can't wait to meet everyone,

Barb

Hi Barb, I wasn't sure about the Cenotes myself but DandyDon had some good info &pics & I checked other websites & decided I must experience it at least ONCE! Aside from it being a hot & remote (porta-potty if lucky) area it does look interesting& good for Happy HR chatter. In regards to your flights Spirit Air leaves from Orlando to CUN (I'm flying them on the 15h out of Ft Lauderdale) & if you don't mind them now charging for luggage & the bus/van/ferry to CZM that might work for you (the fares seem to go up&down daily) Continental is almost as cheap & that could be into CZM & out of CUN. Don't know what airport you use but check them out. See you there Deb

[DiverBabs]

Hi Barb, I wasn't sure about the Cenotes myself but DandyDon had some good info &pics & I checked other websites & decided I must experience it at least ONCE! Aside from it being a hot & remote (porta-potty if lucky) area it does look interesting& good for Happy HR chatter. In regards to your flights Spirit Air leaves from Orlando to CUN (I'm flying them on the 15h out of Ft Lauderdale) & if you don't mind them now charging for luggage & the bus/van/ferry to CZM that might work for you (the fares seem to go up&down daily) Continental is almost as cheap & that could be into CZM & out of CUN. Don't know what airport you use but check them out. See you there Deb

Hi Deb.

After checking out more info on the Cenotes, I felt like you... I at least have to try it.

I booked a flight on the 16th direct into Cozumel, then I fly out of Cancun on the 23th. $352

I thought that was pretty good. Though I'd rather fly out of Orlando (I'm in Vero), the direct flight and times out of Miami work pretty well.

I'm flying Spirit in July to Provo. I've flown them before, but it was prior to their current luggage restrictions. Hopefully we won't have any problems.

Thanks,
Barb

Edited by DiverBabs, 03 June 2007 - 04:15 PM.

[WreckWench]

We are VERY glad to have you both on the trip. I'll be in the small group with both of you if you like for added comfort but this is certainly a great experience! kamala

[DandyDon]

Hi Barb, I wasn't sure about the Cenotes myself but DandyDon had some good info &pics & I checked other websites & decided I must experience it at least ONCE! Aside from it being a hot & remote (porta-potty if lucky) area it does look interesting& good for Happy HR chatter. In regards to your flights Spirit Air leaves from Orlando to CUN (I'm flying them on the 15h out of Ft Lauderdale) & if you don't mind them now charging for luggage & the bus/van/ferry to CZM that might work for you (the fares seem to go up&down daily) Continental is almost as cheap & that could be into CZM & out of CUN. Don't know what airport you use but check them out. See you there Deb

Glad my info and pics were of some help. The Cenote dives are not not really overhead diving, more like night dive with several swim thrus as there is overhead air the vast majority of the time. There is an optical illusion involved in which you think you're seeing the roof on the water, but that's usually just the water-bottom reflection of the floor. That aspect was amazing to be, but confirmed.

I did get excited at first, as it can be breathtaking, so I think we can count on an adventure here - one way or the other. There are hundreds of divers doing the same dives every day out of Cancun and other mainland resorts, tho; again, the trails are well marked with permanent lines on the floor; all divers are well escorted by local DMs in groups of four; and WWench will be in your group. It'll work, work safely, and you'll have great memories. Then the next day - WHALESHARKS and other gentle giants. I am psyched, but I guess I have said that a few times already.

Wish I could get the great air fares y'all get out of the major cities like Dallas and Orlando, but living in the West Texas Outback has its challenges. I guess it'd time for me to mail my final check - will get it out today.

[WreckWench]

Payment Update:

1. Barbara aka DiverBabs - (pd) D/O; no nitrox + 3rd tank w/lunch all 3 days $90 (pd)

[Travelgal]

Hi Deb.

After checking out more info on the Cenotes, I felt like you... I at least have to try it.

I booked a flight on the 16th direct into Cozumel, then I fly out of Cancun on the 23th. $352

I thought that was pretty good. Though I'd rather fly out of Orlando (I'm in Vero), the direct flight and times out of Miami work pretty well.



WHICH AIRLINE DID YOU BOOK THE FLIGHT TO COZUMEL AND RETURN FROM CANCUN>?

[DandyDon]

Now, I like women - a lot actually, altho I try to always be a gentleman - but am I the only guy on this trip so far...?!

Uh, guys - Hellllooooo....?

This is an awesome trip, with a great crowd - when are you men singing up...??

[bpro]

Now, I like women - a lot actually, altho I try to always be a gentleman - but am I the only guy on this trip so far...?!

Uh, guys - Hellllooooo....?

This is an awesome trip, with a great crowd - when are you men singing up...??

I'm still seeing if I can get off work!!

[DiverBabs]

Hi Deb.

After checking out more info on the Cenotes, I felt like you... I at least have to try it.

I booked a flight on the 16th direct into Cozumel, then I fly out of Cancun on the 23th. $352

I thought that was pretty good. Though I'd rather fly out of Orlando (I'm in Vero), the direct flight and times out of Miami work pretty well.



WHICH AIRLINE DID YOU BOOK THE FLIGHT TO COZUMEL AND RETURN FROM CANCUN>?

American Air


American Airlines 4947 MIAMI INTERNTNL THU 16AUG
12:55 PM COZUMEL 2:20 PM N
OPERATED BY AMERICAN EAGLE/EXECUTIVE


American Airlines 8191 CANCUN THU 23AUG
1:45 PM MIAMI INTERNTNL 4:20 PM N
OPERATED BY MEXICANA DE AVIACION


$352.40


Let me know if you decide on the same flights. Maybe we can hook up and ride down together???

[DandyDon]

I'm still seeing if I can get off work!!

Hope you can. This would be a great trip for a newish diver, even tho you'll notice that we have several seasoned divers going - good time for you get great experiences with the real show in less challenging conditions than you may encounter at some other destinations, as well as a lot of fun. Got a passport....?!

Looks like flight info is not being logged on the group roster? Say, WWench & Accs: How about putting arrival and departure flight info on post #1 for each so we can coordinate meeting each other in airports, seating, etc...? thanks!

Aug 16, I arrive at IAH Houston at 6:42am, do a two hour sit at the President's Club closest to CO1696 - Terminal E, I think - and I am allowed to take guests. Freebies there include breakfast snacks & beverages, and I'm not much of a drinker but do enjoy a little Kahlua in my morning coffee when I'm not driving or diving - they never bat an eye above serving that 7am. I leave on 1696 at 9:10am to arrive CZM at 11:33am, and altho I sleep well on planes, I'll pack a Subway Sandwich in my personal bag for a snack. I get forward seating privilege and can move traveling companions forward for fastest deplaning in CZM, escort you on for pre-boarding.

Aug 23: I leave CUN for IAH at 1:55pm on CO465. No club room there, but I can again arrange forward seating and pre-boarding for companions. I won't be in IAH long enough for a club visit after doing the Immigrations & Customs shuffle. All flight times and numbers subject to change, of course.

Ok, food & beverages are included at the Cozumel hotel, then we'll have lunch provided at the Cenote site and stop for dinner on the way to Holbox - right? Lunches are provided on the snorkel boat if I remember correctly, but what are the facilities for provisions on this island? I'm thinking it'll be a nice experience with less touristy cafes, but that's just a guess.

I always travel with a disposable 12 cup coffee maker and two 1-qt stainless steel insulated beverage containers. Don't weigh much, make nice gifts at end of trip. Hehe, I remember the very first SD.com trip some years back, to the same Coz hotel - but it was in January. I strongly suggested SS insulated beverage containers to others, along with coats and caps for the dive boat. My suggestions were well ignored, had to share with the smarter divers who were shivering on the boat after late afternoon dives - lost some items. Now required deposits on equipment loaned. We won't need coats in August, but solid caps and beverage containers are very good ideas.

My preferences, subject to adjustments to fit others' - are still:

>2 boat dives morning of 17th, one 100 cf tank - then an after lunch shore dive before my nap;
>2 - 2 dive trips on the 18th, morning and afternoon, one 100 cf tank morning, one Nitrox 36% afternoon;
>2 boat dives morning of the 19th, hiring a cab for a 'round-the-island tour with stops at archaeological sites.

Looking forward...!!

[Travelgal]

Hi Deb.

After checking out more info on the Cenotes, I felt like you... I at least have to try it.

I booked a flight on the 16th direct into Cozumel, then I fly out of Cancun on the 23th. $352

I thought that was pretty good. Though I'd rather fly out of Orlando (I'm in Vero), the direct flight and times out of Miami work pretty well.



WHICH AIRLINE DID YOU BOOK THE FLIGHT TO COZUMEL AND RETURN FROM CANCUN>?

American Air


American Airlines 4947 MIAMI INTERNTNL THU 16AUG
12:55 PM COZUMEL 2:20 PM N
OPERATED BY AMERICAN EAGLE/EXECUTIVE


American Airlines 8191 CANCUN THU 23AUG
1:45 PM MIAMI INTERNTNL 4:20 PM N
OPERATED BY MEXICANA DE AVIACION


$352.40


Let me know if you decide on the same flights. Maybe we can hook up and ride down together???

I will probably be going a week earlier but will get back to you when I book my flight! Leaving for Grenada today so will have to do it when I return!!!!!!

[DiverBabs]

I will probably be going a week earlier but will get back to you when I book my flight! Leaving for Grenada today so will have to do it when I return!!!!!!

Ok, have a great trip!

Edited by DiverBabs, 08 June 2007 - 06:40 AM.

[DandyDon]

This is an awesome trip, with a great crowd - when are you men singing up...??

Or signing up either...?

Now that passports are not required - only proof that you have applied for one, trips will be easier to sign up for - but planes will be filling faster, too.

[ScubaDrew]

Is this trip still available? If so I am seriously interested. I need to secure the vacation time but otherwise I am a go. Just a few questions,

Is any of the listed diving not included? I thought I saw Cenotes as an additional 150$?

Can we bring cameras in the water in Holbox?

Unlimited shore diving in Coz is free?

Thanks, and if the itinerary is different than Aug 16-23 let me know?

Thanks, Drew

[AirHead]

Hey Drew,

I was on this SD trip last year and can answer one of your questions.

Cameras are allowed in the water in Holbox but no flash photography is allowed. The number of whalesharks you will see is amazing.

Buz