Diving the Riviera Maya

[deanme]

Had a great time diving the Riviera Maya last week. Didn’t know there were drug wars going on in Mexico. I saw a few armed patrol cars with big dudes with machine guns and bullet proof vests in Tulum. Made for an unsetting feeling. But the weather was great and the diving spectacular. Below is a list of my itinerary and a link to some pictures.

May 24th: Taj Mahal and Chac Mol
May 25th: Taj Mahal and Minitaro
May 26th: Kolimba and Dos Ojos
May 27th: Naharon and Grand Cenote
May 28th: The Pit and Nohoch
May 29th: Pet Cemetery and Chan Hol

Two dives a day for 6 days. Had lots of fun but a bit tiring.

http://picasaweb.google.com/deanme9/Mexico09May#

[Me]

Looks like you had a great time!

[newman_diver]

I did some of those dives when I was there in April. The police trucks don't really phase me anymore. That area of Mexico is pretty good. Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. I can't wait to get back there.

[Slüdge]

... and we complain about mosquitoes in Florida...

[deanme]

Yes, thank you, had a great time. Can't wait to return. My guide, Luis, taught me some new side-mount techniques. I'm going to try the new configuration out this weekend at Ginnie.

I took the 2 lb weights off the aluminum tanks, and put double clips and some rope to paste the tanks against my body. The rope is tied to the center crotch strap around where the belt buckle is located, and the clips snap onto the clip on the tanks that clip onto the railing on the butt plate. This keeps the tanks from raising as the tanks get lighter.

Also, I’m going to try to put the first stage between the valve and my body rather then have the valve between the first stage and my body.

I ended up taking 4 tanks to the Blue Abyss. Three 32% tanks and one 21% tank. I breathed the stage to the Blue Abyss, and the air tank down to 162 feet, and then the main two 32% tanks on the return trip. The whole dive was over 2 hours, and had plenty of gas. Natalie hit thirds as she was just returning to the cavern zone using twin aluminum 80’s on her back!! Further evidence females are not from earth.

[Me]

Ya know, my dive buddy and I have the same consumption rate. Either he's that good, or I'm that bad!

[mattmexico]

Had a great time diving the Riviera Maya last week. Didn’t know there were drug wars going on in Mexico. I saw a few armed patrol cars with big dudes with machine guns and bullet proof vests in Tulum. Made for an unsetting feeling. But the weather was great and the diving spectacular. Below is a list of my itinerary and a link to some pictures.

May 24th: Taj Mahal and Chac Mol
May 25th: Taj Mahal and Minitaro
May 26th: Kolimba and Dos Ojos
May 27th: Naharon and Grand Cenote
May 28th: The Pit and Nohoch
May 29th: Pet Cemetery and Chan Hol

Two dives a day for 6 days. Had lots of fun but a bit tiring.

http://picasaweb.google.com/deanme9/Mexico09May#

yo

the list of dive sites is nice ... cool diving

greetings
Matt

[Dsix36]

Damnit, now there is another place that I just gotta go to. :smt026

[deanme]

I’m planning to repeat Pet Cemetery, The Pit, Chan Hol, Taj Mahal, Grand Cenote, and Kolimba. I’ll spend the rest of my time trying new Cenotes. This time I plan to dive to 200 feet in Pet Cemetery. I believe in progressive penetration.

I’d really be curious to hear why it is no one dives steel tanks in the Riviera Maya?

I read online today that 16 people were shot in Acapulco in the ongoing drug wars?

Shootout kills 16 in Mexico's Acapulco resort
http://home.peoplepc.com/psp/newsstory.asp?cat=news&referrer=email&id=20090607/4a2b3b40_3ca6_1552620090607-1082129556

[FW]

I’d really be curious to hear why it is no one dives steel tanks in the Riviera Maya?
They tried them years ago, and the salt content is so high, that they rust pretty quickly.

[deanme]

guess i don't understand why that would happen. i had steel tanks for years in california and dove regularly in the ocean with no problems of rust.

[FW]

guess i don't understand why that would happen. i had steel tanks for years in california and dove regularly in the ocean with no problems of rust.
California is different, they have fresh water to rinse gear with. The only "fresh" water in that area of Mexico comes from the caves, so it has the same salt content. The poorer locals drink it, but it is a little brackish. The rich people drink bottled water.

[Terry D]

I took down two sets of XS doubles in November of 08 and we are already having problems with external rust. Less than six months. Aargh!!!

[Aktun]

I took down two sets of XS doubles in November of 08 and we are already having problems with external rust. Less than six months. Aargh!!!Are you sure the MX water is the problem?
I've been diving my lp 72's for 10 years,with no evidence of rust, and I don't own another set of steels because must bring them from the states, is hard to get them here, is not the rust, the point is the price and availability, no body wants to import expensive steel tanks for rent.
If a volunteer wants to bring me 2 steels tanks from the states will be really appreciated.:-D

[rjack]

I’d really be curious to hear why it is no one dives steel tanks in the Riviera Maya?

Just bring stages. The high temps and salty air really accelerate corrosion. Painted fabers vs. galvanized doesn't seem to matter. The few sets of steel tanks I have seen down there at Cuzel's look deadful, I didn't want to stand next to them, nevermind carry them.

Its nice that everything is so shallow you don't really need higher capacity tanks anyway. With double Al80s and 1 stage you can easily hit >2 hrs of bottom time swimming. More than that and you'll need a scooter anyway, so a few extra stages isn't critical.