Scuba with Alison
Scuba with Alison
4.9
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About
Scuba with Alison is a top notch dive operator in Cozumel, Mexico. We focus on fun and safety while exploring the fabulous undersea world of Cozumel. Whether you are only with us for a day off the cruise ship, or a week on the island, we can accommodate you. Carlos has been on dive boats in Cozumel since 1990 and knows the reef like the back of his hand. Full of Mayan charm and a sharp wit, Carlos will take care of your every need on the boat. Just slip those fins and your mask on and we will bring your gear to you. Our boat, the Maximus, is a converted Bertram-style sport fishing boat sporting two 200 HP Yamaha outboards. Groups are limited to 8 divers, so the boat provides plenty of comfort and shade. Larger than most one group boats, you get the best of both worlds: small group, big boat. The twin Yamahas, besides providing a redundancy for safety, make it one of the fastest, if not THE fastest, dive boats in Cozumel. Hey, you came to dive right? Not for a long boat ride.
Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.9
369 reviews
Excellent
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Luckyhawaiian4122
The Villages, FL6 contributions
Aug 2022
The best and safest dive master in Cozumel! Alison and Carlos always deliver a great dive experience. I always check with Alison before I book our flights and room to make sure she has room on her boat. This was my 4th trip to Cozumel with her and I usually dive 10 dives per trip.
Her boat takes 8 divers so you don't have to deal with a crowded boat. She is very safety minded and always aware of how all her divers are doing. Carlos is there to handle all you gear for you before and after your dives. I am usually one of the last divers to the surface and she allows me to get my tanks worth. I can't say enough about how great they are. Do yourself a favor and dive with the best! You won't regret it.
Her boat takes 8 divers so you don't have to deal with a crowded boat. She is very safety minded and always aware of how all her divers are doing. Carlos is there to handle all you gear for you before and after your dives. I am usually one of the last divers to the surface and she allows me to get my tanks worth. I can't say enough about how great they are. Do yourself a favor and dive with the best! You won't regret it.
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Topshelf210b
Houston, TX124 contributions
Jul 2022
We just spent 3 days diving with Alison and wished we would have booked more. Alison is very laid back, funny & fun. She has decades of experience leading divers around the reefs of Cozumel and can tell you everything about each spot. We felt safe in her very competent hands and appreciated her quality rental equipment and her very well run boat. We are experienced divers but noticed that she was especially attentive to the new divers. Carlos, her boat captain who also sets up gear and helps divers out of the water, is also very good at his job and has a winning personality with a great sense of humor to boot. The others divers were all lovely people. We wouldn’t hesitate to book with Alison on our next trip to Cozumel.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elise L
1 contribution
Jan 2022
I love everything about diving with Alison and Carlos!!! I have returned many times because of the personal attention and amazing dive experience they offer. I appreciate the relaxed but serious approach they take with divers. No matter what level of diver you are, your safety is always a priority. Most divers are return customers which makes everything run more smoothly and gives less experienced or new divers more of a chance to enjoy their dives. As a slightly more advance recreational diver, Alison's experience and attention underwater provided the right conditions for me to continue to feel more comfortable and really enjoy every single dive!!! The perfect mix of safety and freedom. I also really like that she plans our dives to respond to our requests regarding current, plant life, animals, photography, etc. Carlos is also amazing. He is always there to help us with getting into the water and onto the boat. He makes everything easy and smooth!! He then seemlessly sets up our equipment for the next dive and keeps us entertained with his good humour. Carlos is also a great dive master. If you are diving in Cozumel, you really have to scuba with Alison and Carlos. I always have a blast and will definitely be back!!
Written February 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew B
Madison, WI151 contributions
Aug 2022
Diving Cozumel with Alison was super! Fast wide boat with Max 8 divers makes getting to the reef a breeze and getting out of the water so easy! Expect concierge gear set up, thorough briefing and safety checks before hitting the water. All the reef creatures are waiting for your visit. You will not be disappointed!
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carla F
Saint Cloud, MN70 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
Alison is the best dive guide! I am a new diver this was only my 3rd dive post getting certified a year ago and she made me feel so comfortable. She literally held my hand when she could see I was struggling initially, and then I calmed down and everything went fantastic. Just when I thought maybe diving wasn’t going to be for me Alison renewed my hope. I scheduled A second day of diving with her and absolutely loved every minute of it. She is an amazing guide. Points out the wonderful sea life. Makes sure everyone is ok. She is very attentive to her divers! Highly recommend. Other divers on the boat have dove with her for years and all told me she is one of the best!
Written January 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
timf425
Saint Paul, MN7 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
This was my first time to Cozumel to go diving. I wanted 3 things from my dive center. First, affordable. $80 for a two tank dive with pickup and drop off at my resort. Check!
Second. I wanted small dive groups to get more personalized attention from the dive master. Alison is awesome, she somehow knows where all the marine life is hiding and points them out to you.
Third, a fast boat with a skilled captain to get you out to the dive sites and back to your resort quickly. With twin 200 hp Yamaha engines we were able get to to the reefs in short order. Captain Carlos has a magic touch behind the helm and somehow managed to give a smooth ride even in heavy waves.
When we reach the surface after a dive, Carlos is there to pick you up and not leave you floating like so many other dive boats I saw out there.
Alison knows where to find the fun swim through, where the sharks and eels hand out plus too much more to list. While in Cozumel. I will never dive with anyone else.
Thank you Alison and Carlos for a wonderful time. I can't wait to come back.
Second. I wanted small dive groups to get more personalized attention from the dive master. Alison is awesome, she somehow knows where all the marine life is hiding and points them out to you.
Third, a fast boat with a skilled captain to get you out to the dive sites and back to your resort quickly. With twin 200 hp Yamaha engines we were able get to to the reefs in short order. Captain Carlos has a magic touch behind the helm and somehow managed to give a smooth ride even in heavy waves.
When we reach the surface after a dive, Carlos is there to pick you up and not leave you floating like so many other dive boats I saw out there.
Alison knows where to find the fun swim through, where the sharks and eels hand out plus too much more to list. While in Cozumel. I will never dive with anyone else.
Thank you Alison and Carlos for a wonderful time. I can't wait to come back.
Written January 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim S
1 contribution
Sep 2021
My wife and I have been diving in Cozumel many, many times.
We had the good fortune of getting to scuba with Alison recently and had a tremendous experience!
Alison started by assessing our experience level and then asked what type of dives we were wanting.
Alison and Carlos have clearly been working together a long time, which led to a comfortable and safe outing.
It was nice to have fruit, cake, and water for the interval time … always appreciated!
What stood out the most, though, was that Alison was willing to customize our dive times. Alison addressed this in the predive briefing: as each couple reached the point where they needed to come up, she would stay with them at their safety stop and the other divers could continue their dive. This led to the longest dives we have ever been able to experience, which was a tremendous plus!
Before we were even off of the boat we were discussing our next trip and the plan to dive with Alison again.
We had the good fortune of getting to scuba with Alison recently and had a tremendous experience!
Alison started by assessing our experience level and then asked what type of dives we were wanting.
Alison and Carlos have clearly been working together a long time, which led to a comfortable and safe outing.
It was nice to have fruit, cake, and water for the interval time … always appreciated!
What stood out the most, though, was that Alison was willing to customize our dive times. Alison addressed this in the predive briefing: as each couple reached the point where they needed to come up, she would stay with them at their safety stop and the other divers could continue their dive. This led to the longest dives we have ever been able to experience, which was a tremendous plus!
Before we were even off of the boat we were discussing our next trip and the plan to dive with Alison again.
Written September 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jcpelly
Woodbury, MN3 contributions
Mar 2022
My wife and I dove with Allison and Carlos a couple weeks ago off of a cruise that stopped in Cozumel. We have dove many times in cozumel over the years from cruises and land based resorts. That being said we have dove with several dive companies over the years. I can say we now have our go to dive operator for Cozumel and will dive with her anytime we can when in cozumel. There were 6 divers on the boat and all the others had dove with Allison many times. They welcomed us and made us feel like one of the group immediately. Very good dives, found the critters, and gave us just the right amount of freedom. We had to rent equipment since we were coming off a cruise ship and she has excellent equipment. Lots of good conversation on the boat which is the fastest and most comfortable i've been on in Cozumel. Couldn't have worked out any better. Thank you Allison and Carlos and we can't wait to get back. Jeff & Terri
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian A
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
If you’re looking for a great personal dive experience in Cozumel, check out diving with Alison. First, she’s awesome at safety, pointing out cool stuff under water and personalized service all around. Her decades of experience diving in Cozumel are evident. Captain/dive master Carlos will guide you as well and make you laugh. Cozumel diving is mostly drift dives. Think about that before you sign up with a shop that has cattle boats. She’s an amazing choice!!
Written January 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inspiration611280
Plainwell, MI4 contributions
Feb 2020
I am an experienced diver, but my wife only had about 8 - 10 dives under her belt when we went out with Alison. Not only did Alison really help my wife, she genuinely enjoyed teaching her and helping her. From just a day with Alison and her partner Carlos really love people and love what they are doing. Unfortunately, we only had one day available; I can't wait to go to Cozumel again for a full week of diving with Alison!!!
Also, Alison's equipment is excellent. Maximus is a comfortable, fast, and safe boat. Her rental SCUBA gear is good quality equipment and in great condition. For a great, all round experience, you can not go wrong with SCUBA with Alison.
Also, Alison's equipment is excellent. Maximus is a comfortable, fast, and safe boat. Her rental SCUBA gear is good quality equipment and in great condition. For a great, all round experience, you can not go wrong with SCUBA with Alison.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are coming to Cozumel the week of Feb 26 ,my husband has dive before but does not have is padi and would like to dive in Cozumel ,what are his options to dive and the price of his dive.
Thank you
Written February 24, 2018
So sorry I just saw this! I don’t check in often. I hope you found a great dive operator and enjoyed your time on a beautiful island. Who did you dive with?
Written March 13, 2018
will be going to Cozumel the first two weeks in July ,what can i expect to see at that time ? and whats the visablitey like ? weather ? I'm an advance diver ,and perfer Nitrox ,can anyone recommend a place to stay ,with free Nitrox and good accommodations ,and good dive packages ? thanks
Written May 13, 2017
Is early September a good time to scuba dive with whale sharks. We are staying in Cozumel can anyone recommend. Tour company that can accommodate that
Written August 9, 2016
FYI, we are coming to Mexico in July. Could you let me know the cost of a days diving. We have been diving before but haven't completed any courses therefore will need relevant training. 2 adults one 17 year old and 2 15 ear olds. We are staying at Ocean Coral & Turquesa by H10 from 15th July for 2 weeks.
Written March 30, 2016
I am in the intermediate diver and will be traveling alone. I would like to find an operator with access to a really good site to go out about four days out of the week. Is it possible to join in with other groups to accommodate this? What rental arrangements can be made? Are you affiliated with any hotel nearby?
Thank you.
Written March 2, 2016
Hi Alison,
I will be in Cozumel next month and would love to dive with you and your team. Please can you tell me whether you have availability from the 19th-23rd for fun dives?
Warm regards,
David
Written February 14, 2016
Arriving February 9th (cruise ship) and will have completed the first part of PADI training. Not yet open water certified. How do I get to your location- do you offer p/u from ships? and what r your fee structures?
Is your group having any fun?
Michael Dulude
720.236.5345
Written January 15, 2016
We are 4 people who are interested in scuba diving but one of us does not know swimming. Is that ok? Can he still scuba dive or is swimming a requirement?
Written July 28, 2015
The dumbest question ever asked on TA. You scuba dive in the ocean...if your friend can not swim he will drown.
Written August 20, 2015
What kinds of dive packages do you offer for multi days of diving? There will be 4 divers in our group and we are interested in diving 4 or 5 days- 2 tank dives and one night dive.
Written June 10, 2015
Hi, I am just starting to line up getting certified, Would it work to do classes here in Utah and get open water part done with someone there? Looks like a lot more fun with you guys. I would also like to get a price list and recommendation for accommodations
Thanks Ty
Written April 4, 2015
Would suggest browsing through Trip Advisor for ratings on accommodations. A few of the resorts have changed ownership in the past few years and I found it useful to objectively read some of the reviews. Alison will pick-up at most resorts with pier access.
Written August 20, 2015
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