discover scuba review

hello, we are on the ncl Getaway in march 2017 and one of their excursions is the following listed below. my question is- have many people done this? is it safe? We love to snorkel and thought this looked like a good introductory way to check it out, just cant find reviews so not sure about it. There is also one offered in cozumel, another of our stops. Any advice would be appreciated! thanks in advance!

DISCOVER SCUBA

Costa Maya, Mexico

ADULT: C 224 20

CHILD: C 224 20

Discover Scuba

DETAILS

3.5 hrs Estimate Duration

First time divers can experience the wonders of scuba diving in one of the most beautiful destinations in the Caribbean. As you exit the pier, the dive team will meet you to assist with registration and provide recommendations on equipment to ensure a perfect fit. You’ll then be escorted to the dive center, a short 10 minute journey through the historical town of Mahahual. After a brief orientation, you’ll meet your instructors and be given a 45 minute briefing, while the team prepares your equipment. Then be escorted to your dive boat, which is custom built for diving on the reef with a maximum of 12 divers. Onboard you will be divided into groups, maximum 4 divers per instructor. You’ll be provided with your equipment here so that you can familiarize yourself with it, with the expertise of your instructor.

After a short boat ride, you’ll enter the water and be given an introductory skills lesson in shallow water, followed by an instructor guided dive of the spectacular Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The maximum depth of the dive will be 20 to 35 feet and up to 45 minutes in length. This breathtaking reef is known for its beautiful corals and exotic marine life. Common marine life includes turtles, lobsters, stingrays and a variety of tropical reef fish. Upon completion of your dive, you may choose to return to the ship or stay and experience the local culture and beaches. The town offers quaint beach front shops, restaurants, bars, arts and crafts booths. Guests who wish to stay in Mahahual will be responsible for their own transportation back to the ship. Taxis are abundant for an easy return.

Need To Know:

Participants must be at least 10 years of age, weigh no more than 275 lbs. and be in good health.

Tours with this activity level involve a considerable amount of physical activity such as substantial walking over cobblestone streets, uneven or steep terrain, climbing stairs, or extended periods of standing. Not recommended for guests with physical limitations. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended.

Discover Scuba dives are commonly available. They are done throughout the world, and many divers got their first introduction to diving through a Discover Scuba experience. Properly conducted it is a safe enough activity.

The rules dictate a maximum depth of 40 feet, and a ratio of no more than 4 participants to each instructor. Additionally a scuba instructor, not merely a dive guide, dive master or assistant instructor must conduct the Discover Scuba dive.

You should expect some class room time to learn about safety issues, and the basics of diving. Then a dive as described in the literature you referenced.

The quality of the experience is largely dependent upon the instructor; but additionally the location has much to do with it. All that being said, if I had to choose between Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mahahual) for a Discover Scuba dive, I'd recommend Costa Maya. I would say there is better reef there at the limited depths that Discover Scuba allows.

I'm using the rate of $1.00 USD to $1.32 CDN. That gives the price at $170.00. My favorite shop in Costa Maya (and maybe the world), Gyspsea Divers (http://www.gypseadivers.com) offers a Discover Scuba dive for exactly 1/2 that amount, $85.00 USD. If you email Catherine and Abel there, they could get you set, and I am sure you'd find it even more enjoyable than the ship's excursion.

In Cozumel, there is another fantastic dive shop, Aldora Divers. They offer the Discover Scuba dive for $97.00 USD, with the option to have a second dive for $55.00 more. (http://www.aldora.com).

I'm confident that with either of these operators you'd have a great Discover Scuba experience.

Regardless of where you go to do a Discover Scuba, you should expect to be asked to fill out a health questionnaire like this:

https://www.padi.com/documents/padi-courses/2.1.5%20rstc%20medstate%20v201.pdf

If you answer "yes" to any of the questions, you would need a doctor's sign off. If all answers are "no" then you're set. If you want to do a Discover Scuba on a cruise, and see anything that would be a "yes", please take the form in the link to your doctor, and get it signed off, as it will be too late as you're standing in the dive shop.

Have a great time.

Harris

Denver, CO

Thank You! I appreciate your thoughts on this. I will definitely contact the name you mentioned in costa maya and see what i can arrange. Again, thank you, very helpful advise! Really looking forward to trying this out.

peggy

Peggy,

Catherine at Gypsea Divers is fantastic. She may take a few days to respond to an email. She and her husband Abel have the shop, and do it all there. They are the epitome of people doing what they love for a living and it shows. Each time I go, it's like visiting friends, not like doing business. Please tell her Harris said "hi".

Harris

Denver, CO

thank you again Harris! I was just checking out their site and going to email them. After looking at their site I am getting excited to get this in the works. I looked over the questionnaire and it is fine as well, should a person print it off and fill out and take with you? Do you have to arrange transport from cruise ship or do they take care of all the details? I guess I will contact them and find out more info. Will say hello for you!

Peggy,

If all your answers are "No", then you needn't complete the form in advance. If you have any "Yes"s then you'd want to get the sign off from your doctor.

At the Costa Maya Pier, get off the ship and walk completely through the port facility shopping/bar area. You'll then see taxis. They charge $2.00 per person each way for the short trip into Mahahual. Tell the driver you want to go to "Gypsea Divers, right by the Nacional Beach Club". The dive shop is small, so it's easier to give the driver the larger land mark.

One thing, Gypsea Divers does not take credit cards. We usually have several divers, going for two or three dives when we're there; so to avoid having to deal with cash, I usually send Catherine the money about a week ahead of my trip via PayPal, which always works well. If it's just you, probably easier to bring cash.

Harris

Denver, CO

perfect! i will let you know when i hear back from them

peggy

I tried to email you but wouldnt go through. I was contacted by catherine and we are making arrangements for the day we are in port. I said hi to her for you and she said you were a good friend.

peggy

Peggy,

I think the link to email me does not work depending upon the browser. It works when I test it, but others have reported the same thing you did. Yo're welcome to email me at omeinv AT gmail DOT com.

Harris

Howdy Harris, was wondering if you have any suggestions for a dive shop in Cabo?

The only thing I really have is a recommendation to avoid Cabo Adventures. We dove with them as they were the cruise ship's operator on a Panama Canal cruise. It was the only port we were diving on that trip, so we went with the ship's operator, and did not bother to pack our own gear. They had poorly maintained (to the point of unsafe) equipment; and staff that ranged from uncaring to unsafe. I will say that Celebrity (our cruise line) reacted well when I brought issues to their attention.

I've heard better reviews of Manta Diving, but haven't used them myself.

Cabo is an interesting place to dive. Because you're at the point where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, you'll get strong currents, and unique thermoclines. A common dive site is right at Los Arcos (the "land's end point). You'll want to wear more wet suit than you'd probably expect, and be prepared for strong, surge currents. I would characterize diving at Los Arcos as fairly advanced diving; although the dive operators there take pretty much everyone there. If you're not up for that, make sure the operator knows diving Los Arcos is not your desire.

Harris

Denver, CO

Discover Scuba dives are commonly available. They are done throughout the world, and many divers got their first introduction to diving through a Discover Scuba experience. Properly conducted it is a safe enough activity.

 

The rules dictate a maximum depth of 40 feet, and a ratio of no more than 4 participants to each instructor.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

To Peggy the OP, I thought I'd tag onto Harris' excellent post. I did just what you did back in 2011. I had a great time and it resulted in me getting my certification. My dive was a beautiful reef in St Thomas. The only problem with the one I went on is I think the instructor had 5 people and one of them was a Japanese lady who could barely speak English, and if you can believe it, could not swim at all!

thanks for your input, I am really looking forward to trying this! Hoping to hear back soon from Catherine with more details.

peggy

well Harris, you were totally right about gypsy divers! had a fantastic time and would so recommend them to anyone else! thanks for the help on this one Harris!

well Harris, you were totally right about gypsy divers! had a fantastic time and would so recommend them to anyone else! thanks for the help on this one Harris!

Peggy,

I'm so happy. I knew Catherine and Abel would provide you a great day, and saving half the cost over the cruise excursion is a nice bonus as well, right?

Thanks so much for coming back to the thread to let everyone know.

Harris

Denver, CO