Cozumel… Here I Come!

Who doesn´t know that particular feeling of sitting in the office scrolling over all those intriguing posts with stunning pictures of your supposedly next dive vacations… The moment you start day-dreaming until you finally reach that point when you are shouting out loud: “Here I come! Why don´t I just wake up and go for what I love!?”

Decision made… No way back!… Cozumel! Here I come!

Thinking of packing all that equipment I will need to carry with me through that heat is not really encouraging, but HEY! the outlook on what awaits simply can´t hold me back anymore. Deciding to leave that heavy equipment at home, but rent it instead, I´m just grabbing my mask, dive computer and underwater camera before catching the next taxi to the ferry. The driver explains the difference between the pronunciation of “FERRI” and “FERI” whilst laughing his head off and proudly announcing to be a good teacher.

Plenty of options to ferry over to the island of Cozumel for my 1 pm 2-tank dive. The excursion offered by Pro Dive Mexico would have probably been the more comfy way, as they take care of all the arrangements, provide transportation from your hotel, a guide, lunch and soft drinks, by the way.

Not even 1 hour later, after a smooth 40 minutes ride through the turquoise Caribbean waters and quick trip by taxi, I arrive at our popular partner hotel Occidental Allegro Cozumel, which seems even more shiny and surrounded by lush greenery after last year´s renovation.

Finally… the breathtaking view I´ve been missing sooo much for the last 6 months!! Just feel like throwing all my stuff on that white sandy beach and running into the currently 28 degree warm luxury bathtub of the Caribbean Sea.

I´m early, hence, it´s still calm and quiet before all of Pro Dive Mexico´s diving and snorkeling boats will return from their morning trips. Look! My name is already on the board! Happy smiles :)))

Here they are… LIONS II – Pro Dive Mexico´s fastest boat, GYPSY, 3 HERMANOS and ESTRELLA DEL MAR.

Time for me to get the equipment ready. Bodegero Alex is very friendly and helpful and already guesses my required sizes. I´ll go with a long 3mm M-size wetsuit, since I tend to freeze pretty quickly, but take another shorty to put on top… just in case. Hope to still fit in there, but there are showers right next to me, which are great support.

Look how clean and neat his Bodega looks. You can even keep your equipment here if you are diving with them for a couple of days and do not want to carry it up and down from your hotel room. Although, the ‘Ultimate Dive Experience’ – room category at the Allegro is located only a few steps from the base and even features a rack to hang your wetsuit! If you stay for at least 4 or 5 nights, you will get 1 free tank every day, and the hotel´s dive coordinator will assist you with all your dive arrangements. Sounds so comfy… Will definitely check it out next time!

I´m so excited!! Now it´s my turn to head out to Columbia Shallow and Palancar Gardens by 3 HERMANOS. Columbia Shallow is indeed pretty shallow, almost reaching the surface and perfect for taking pictures in this aquarium-like crystal-clear vibrant dive site, whereas Palancar Gardens as the northernmost reef of Palancar dive site, is characterized by beautiful coral walls, plenty of swim-throughs, canyons home to Groupers, Jacks, turtles, large schools of Grunts, Lobsters, Nudi Branches, Spider crabs and many more. A true wonderland, and very relaxing and rewarding dives.

The crew is really helpful, provides an informative briefing, assists with the equipment, entry and exit, offers water and fruits. Memo, Pro Dive Mexico´s underwater video- & photographer by ALaAventura, who had been requested by some friends from Toronto to film all their adventures, also made sure to share some beautiful marine life shots with me. That´s him on the surface on the second picture. 🙂

The end of a fantastic day in Cozumel with one of the best buddies I´ve ever had! And there is way more out there! Watch out for it and join me for my next adventures!