When Osman Ersen from BLUE LAGOON - BLUE WORLD suggested that I go on a report at PHOCEA MEXICO, I must admit that I was not more excited than that… Indeed, I had the image, let's say it , a “factory” center… with too many divers, and a region that certainly offers diving, but nothing really exciting. So I was able for 10 days to discover the center (s), the diving spots but also the incredible diversity that PHOCEA MEXICO offers. In this report, I will try to present it to you without forgetting anything ... which is almost impossible ...
Also discover the presentation of our next SCUBA PEOPLE MISSION in February at PHOCEA MEXICO in partnership with BLUE LAGOON - BLUE WORLD, during which you will be able to discover the best of this region. Because I must admit to you, I returned conquered.
Several aerial solutions are available to you to reach the Riviera Maya. Without a stopover or with a stopover in Mexico City or even the possibility of landing directly in Cozumel, making a stopover in the USA. Allow about ten hours in direct flight. If you arrive in Cancun, an air-conditioned mini bus will be waiting for you there to reach the seaside resort.
PHOCEA MEXICO
Before presenting you in detail the PHOCEA MEXICO center (s) of which Didier and Martine are the owners, I offer you a face to face with Didier in order to get to know better and discover the history and philosophy of this company .
I can imagine you pouting already… and I would pout too if I hadn't tested the center (s). This concept of service too often used wrongly and through such a commercial argument takes, at PHOCEA MEXICO, an importance bordering on obsessive. And not content with being the number one objective of the owners, it is also that of the entire team, which is always at your disposal.
Still not quite convinced? Let me introduce you to Martine, Didier's wife. You will hear her less than her husband at the center… but that's normal, she has less time to joke… she organizes!
Those who are familiar with PHOCEA MEXICO will certainly be surprised that this article begins with Cozumel. Indeed, the center is located in Playa del Carmen… But if you know Didier and Martine, you know that they never stop… We are therefore happy to announce the birth of PHOCEA MEXICO COZUMEL.
COZUMEL
Located in the Caribbean Sea, just in front of Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, which in the Yucatec Mayan language means “land of swallows”, is the largest inhabited island in Mexico. Ancient Mayan religious center dedicated to Ixchel, the mother goddess, it was once the essential place of pilgrimage for all Mayan women wishing to procreate and have a happy childbirth.
Nowadays, the island of Cozumel is an important cruise destination, famous for its beautiful white sand beaches bordered by a magnificent turquoise blue sea which is home to part of the “Gran Cinturón de Arrecifes del Atlántico Occidental”, Great Barrier Reef of the Western Atlantic (also called Barrier Reef of Belize Coral) which extends from Mexico to Honduras, passing through Belize and Guatemala, over a length of 1000 km. It is the second largest barrier reef in the world!
To get there, nothing could be simpler. You will need to take one of the ferries which run all day, between 6 am and 22 pm. Allow around 40 minutes for the crossing.
THE MARINE PARK OF COZUMEL
Of vital importance to CozumelThese coral reefs helped stimulate the economy and enabled conservation programs to be implemented. In order to protect and monitor the area, the Marine Park of Cozumel was created on July 19, 1996 by federal decree. This extends over approximately 30.000 hectares of sea and coastline. It is estimated that it is the habitat of 262 species of fish living among 105 species of coral.
PHOCEA MEXICO COZUMEL
Palancar, Colombia Wall, Santa Rosa Wall, Paradise, Punta Tunich, Punta Sur, Barracuda, Maracaibo, Devil's Throat are just a few must-see sites in Cozumel. The base is brand new since it opened on November 1st. Ideally located in the VILLA BLANCA hotel, you will need 2 minutes to get there.
Yohan, Course Director, manages the technical aspect of the center and will take you every day to discover the reefs and drop offs of the island. For the moment, 5 instructors are at your service but given the quality of the seabed, we can bet that in a short time, there will be more ... the price of success.
Video made in 3 days and 6 dives in Cozumel
PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Located in the state of Quintana Roo, by the Caribbean Sea, the city of Playa del Carmen is one of the destinations of the Riviera Maya. It owes its charm to the beauty of its white sand beaches bordered by the turquoise Caribbean Sea and to the dense exotic vegetation that surrounds it.
This former small fishing village, located 50 km south of Cancún, is now endowed with first-class tourist infrastructure.
Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) Playa del Carmen is the main shopping avenue in the city. Hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, nightclubs, craft and souvenir shops, jewelry stores, art galleries, and a nightlife that you will tell us about! Lovers of festive evenings and morning sunsets, if you do not yet know this spot, it is one of the must-sees because the offer is so plethora ...
Video made on 2 dives in Playa del Carmen
PHOCEA MEXICO PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Sabalos, Mama Vina, Barracuda, Coco Beach, Jardines, Mamitas, Punta Tunich, Tortugas Reef… are among the most famous dives that you can explore during a “double tanks” outing (2 dives). At PHOCEA exploration dives are carried out exclusively in the morning. The afternoon is reserved for bulldog sharks when it is the season but especially for training. Because we don't come to PHOCEA just to make an explosion ...
Ideally located, the center is about 50 meters from the beach where the boats are moored. All you have to do is grab your gear and get on board. Of course, the blocks are already on board.
Tristan, the new base manager of Playa del Carmen, introduces us to the center:
Opposite the center is the PLAZA HOTEL which is managed by PHOCEA MEXICO. It is a family hotel which, as you can imagine, is almost exclusively frequented by French divers… There you will find a bar, a restaurant and even a grocery store. The services are good and this allows travel agencies to offer you unbeatable packages. BLUE LAGOON - BLUE WORLD for example, offers you to spend 7 days there from € 665 excluding flights (transfer, 7 nights in a double room at PLAZA, breakfasts, 10 dives package - 6 Playa del Carmen, 2 cenotes, 2 Cozumel). A plane ticket costs on average around € 800, including € 380 in taxes !!! Caramba !!!
THE CENOTES WITH PHOCEA MEXICO
El Pit, Casa Cenote, Chaac Mool, Kukulcan, Ponderosa, Temple of Doom, Gran Cenote,
In some cenotes, a cloud commonly described as being suffer (S) is clearly visible, as in Angelita and Car Wash for example. This cloud that is actually a cloud of Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is created by the decomposition of organic material in an anaerobic environment. It is “trapped” due to the difference in density of water, as if “sandwiched” between fresh water and salt water. Rest assured, there is no danger in dipping your precious regulator, the last video box you have just acquired, or even your illustrious person.
A little advice for image makers: remember to turn off your camera when you are not using it ... otherwise, the heat given off by it will create mist since the water in the cenotes is around 24 ° ... it smacks of lived experience and it is.
But I'd rather leave you with Vincent, the caveman from PHOCEA MEXICO. He talks about it so much better than me:
Video made in 3 days and 7 Cenotes dives
Cenote BARBIE LINE - DOS OJOS
A circuit of 500 meters, which allows the diver to navigate between immense stalactites and columns. This cenote is named after the diver who discovered it, a certain Barbie. Since then, a figurine has been immersed there in her honor and as she was bored, she was given a friend ...
Cenote BAT CAVE - DOS OJOS
It is generally the practice to do it on the second dive, after the BARBIE LINE. It gives the feeling of being in a cave: very little natural light and narrower passages.
Cenote DREAMS GATE
Open to the public in April 2008, this cenote will allow you to “fly” between stalactites and exceptional columns.
Cenote PET CEMETARY
Open since February 2008, this group of cenotes (Pet Cementery 1 and 2) belong to the Sac Aktun system. The place is just magical: animal bones, blind fish… but also a wonderful contrast between natural light and darkness, between imposing columns.
Cenote
We have the impression of being in a horror film… This cenote offers a thick cloud of “sulfur” from which emerge in the center of the trees and a small island in the shape of a half moon. The cloud is approximately 30 meters away. The bottom is at 60 but it offers less interest.
Cenote CAR WASH
One of the first caverns explored and plunged in the region. A good dive for photographers, this cenote has on the surface a layer of microscopic algae that changes its color. Indeed, it oscillates between green and red. A small crocodile can be seen from time to time, as well as freshwater turtles.
Cenote TAJ MAHAL
One of the best cave dives in a peaceful place. This cave offers the diver all the characteristics specific to this type of diving: a halocline dense, light effects, very beautiful fossils ...
PHOCEA MEXICO: THE MAJOR APPOINTMENTS
- Bulldog sharks
PERIOD: NOVEMBER TO THE END OF FEBRUARY
Sadly made famous by their attacks, all having had the explanation that they were mainly linked to the waste thrown at sea in the 2 cases, in Reunion Island and in the Red Sea, the bulldog shark is a race in danger of extinction because unfairly hunted by man. It is the only one of its kind capable of going up rivers.
The appointment is at 12h00 at the diving center. Departure from the boat to go right in front of Playa del Carmen.
Dive with an average of 5 to 10 bulldog sharks. Feeding is not practiced by PHOCEA MEXICO.
Instructors are specially trained to perform this dive to ensure safety.
Photo : Fabrice Guerin
- The eagle rays
période : OCTOBER TO MARCH - Mandatory Nitrox dives.
The meeting is at 8:00 am at the Playa del Carmen diving center. Departure aboard a van towards Puerto Morelos (north of Playa del Carmen), where they perform 2 dives on a wreck (Mexican army transport boat).
You will enjoy the wonderful ballet of schools of leopard eagle rays which come to have their picture taken. Return around 14:30 p.m. to the Playa del Carmen diving center.
- Whale sharks
PERIOD: FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER
An incredible day, because it allows you to swim with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, in complete safety. There is here the largest concentration of whale sharks in the world with groups of more than 400 specimens in one place, in high season. The day starts with a departure from the hotel around 6:00 am.
Once the whale sharks have been spotted, the swimmers go 2 by 2 accompanied by a guide.
PHOCEA MEXICO is the only center in the region that does not have the obligation to put on vests to swim with them in shorties so that the best swimmers can do a little freediving alongside these wonderful fish, which can reach over 12 meters long.
The boat stays on the site as long as the customers wish so that everyone can enjoy it.
This activity is suitable for the whole family, from 7 to 77.
The whale sharks output is: "100% guaranteed or refunded".
11 whale shark sequence, Isla Mujeres, Mexico from Eric Cheng.
- Sailfish
PERIOD: FROM MID-JANUARY TO THE END OF FEBRUARY
Although performed in PMT, this tour is truly extraordinary and out of the ordinary is for a more "sporty" audience.
Departure is 6 morning from Playa del Carmen, direction Punta Sam (north of Cancún).
Boarding on fast boats to get to the area as quickly as possible, 60 miles from the coast (about 3 hours by boat). The captains spot the birds in order to know where the sardine balls are and therefore the sailfish.
Once they are spotted we go in the water for as long as we want and we enjoy this incredible spectacle with more than 80-100 sailfish diving and rising to feed in the sardine ball.
This day is not for everyone as clients stay at sea for more than 8-9 hours and conditions can be difficult. It is truly an experience to live, unique and magical for thrill seekers who want to experience the exceptional.
Video: www.scubazoo.com
PHOCEA MEXICO: DIVING COURSES & Go PRO
Open water, Advanced, EFR, Rescue, Nitrox, Wrecks… It is possible to follow all PADI training and specialties and exclusively PADI throughout the year.
Let's listen to Camille, Mr. Quality of PHOCEA MEXICO, tell us more:
The “Tekkies” are not forgotten since Tec 40, 50… and even trimix courses are possible. Also note the training “Sidemount” on RAZOR provided by Vincent, which I will discuss later in more detail.
Beyond recreational and Tec diving training, PHOCEA MEXICO also offers “Go Pro” training for those of you who wish to pursue a professional career abroad. The cost of living on site makes these training courses very competitive in terms of budget.
PHOCEA MEXICO: EXTENSIONS
Diving in Belize:
Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America. However, despite the official status of English, Spanish remains the most widely spoken language in Belize.
Long frequented by pirates, this region is currently visited by divers from all over the world, since there are some of the most legendary dive sites in this country, such as the famous Blue Hole!
This extension is offered on 5 days and 4 nights.
Yucatan - Mérida cenote diving expedition
This extraordinary adventure takes us to dive into the most remote cenotes of Yucatan, incredible and original cenotes, lost in the middle of the jungle through machete-cut paths.
A total immersion in the Mayan world, meeting extraordinary people, who speak only Maya and will know how to communicate their love for their land, their culture, and their cuisine… This extension is offered over 5 days and 4 nights.
Click here to discover the detailed description of this extension.
CLIMATE
From June to October, it is the rainy season which is characterized by occasional showers often at the end of the day. The days are hot with an average temperature of 33ºC.
From November to May, during the dry season, the daytime temperature can reach 21ºC but in the evening it can drop to 7ºC.
TOGETHER FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL MISSION TO MEXICO
RAYS - BULLDOGS - MÉRIDA - SAILING ESPADONS - COZUMEL
As you have certainly understood, I come back delighted by this stay at PHOCEA MEXICO. I could not stop there and suggest that we go together to discover this region during a unique and exclusive mission in February.
Imagine: Playa del Carmen, eagle rays, bulldog sharks, sailfish, Cozumel and the extension to Mérida during a single mission ...
More:
PHOCEA MEXICO: www.phoceamexico.com
BLUE LAGOON - BLUE WORLD: www.blue-lagoon.fr
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