Snuba: Cozumel or Key West?

[NYHartChapp]

Hi all,

 

We're on the Enchantment in April making port in both Key West and Cozumel. Have done snuba in Cozumel two years ago with Gary Hillson and loved it, so we definitely want to snuba again. A couple of questions:

 

a. Does anyone know if Gary will be departing from Nachi Cocom by April, with the great Palancar reef on his itinerary?

 

b. The Key West excursions advertise a full hour underwater as opposed to a half hour in Cozumel (all be it with a further hour of snorkling). Really love the underwater experience, so am wondering if the Cozumel reefs are that superior to Key West to warrent snuba there or is a whole hour in Key West the better way to go?

 

Thanks in advance.

[lory]

I don't think anyone knows when Nachi Cocom is going to reopen. April is a long way away, so you might be in luck. Gary is operating the tour in the north while Nachi Cocom is closed. They visit Paradiso, Dzul Ha and a third reef - sometimes Chankanaab, sometimes Villa Blanca. The reefs aren't grand like Palancar, but they are still beautiful for snorkeling and for snuba. I've snorkeled off the Fury in Key West but never tried snuba there. Cozumel is waaaaaaaay better! Hope that helps!

[NYHartChapp]

Thanks, Lory.

 

Any input welcome.

[NYHartChapp]

Anyone out there have updates on Gary Hillson and Nachi Cocom? Thanks.

[CozInsiderJacq]

Mayan Paradise- Gary update-

 

For September and October- they will use the Zorro Catamaran for SNUBA from downtown area- Paradise, Dzul Ha and Villa Blanca reefs. Special right now for $60 SNUBA and $35 Snorkel

 

Starting November 1st and throughout high season (or at least until Gary makes any other changes) Gary will operate the Maria Del Mar from the same downtown area and same reefs twice at day at 930am and 130pm - so hopefully with this schedule he will be able to accomodate everyone's cruise schedule ~

 

No news on Nachi Cocum- that is part of the reason Gary decided to commit to departures from the downtown area pier- he had reservations to confirm and didn't want to have to be changing peoples reservations dependent on when/if Nachi Cocum re-opened

[NYHartChapp]

Mayan Paradise- Gary update-

 

For September and October- they will use the Zorro Catamaran for SNUBA from downtown area- Paradise, Dzul Ha and Villa Blanca reefs. Special right now for $60 SNUBA and $35 Snorkel

 

Starting November 1st and throughout high season (or at least until Gary makes any other changes) Gary will operate the Maria Del Mar from the same downtown area and same reefs twice at day at 930am and 130pm - so hopefully with this schedule he will be able to accomodate everyone's cruise schedule ~

 

No news on Nachi Cocum- that is part of the reason Gary decided to commit to departures from the downtown area pier- he had reservations to confirm and didn't want to have to be changing peoples reservations dependent on when/if Nachi Cocum re-opened[/QUote]

 

 

 

Thanks, Jaques. Are the reefs he dives on from downtown on a par with those from Nachi Cocom? Appreciate any info.

[TravelQN]

Just a note to consider, I haven't done any snorkeling or underwater stuff in Key West, for the main reason I've always heard the water isn't that great, isn't that clear. Cozumel is your best bet if this is important to you. And there is so much else to do in Key West.

[CozInsiderJacq]

Downtown departure visits Dzul Ha, Villablanca and Paradise Reef.

 

Since Nachi Cocum beach is further South- that trip visits reefs in that area including either Palancar or Columbia.

 

But for reservations I have with him through December- the departures are set for departure downtown to the North reefs mentioned above.

[whdove88]

:cool: Has anyone been to Nachi lately? We are going 10/31 on Elation - cant decide :confused: if we want to hit Passion Island or Nachi, since we like them both. Did I read Nachi was closed - or was that just after the storms last year? :)

[imatarb]

We did SNUBA with Gary last year and we LOVED it! We will be returning in December with our six-year old son, and we'd love to do a bit of snorkeling. Any idea if Gary has a website or new email address? Thanks somuch!

[lory]

Gary's new website is up but still under construction. It's snubacozumel.com.

 

Hope that helps!

[NYHartChapp]

Gary's new website is up but still under construction. It's snubacozumel.com.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Thanks. Will visit now. Hope they don't get hit too hard, but it looks like they will.