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Comments: Small group fast boats that take folks out to numerous dive sites some operators do not visit due to distance from the harbor. High pressure 120 tanks that give plenty of bottom time per dive. Nice surface intervals between dives at Playa Sol where you can swim in a fresh water pool and order food or just relax on the beach until your ready for your next dive. Upon arrival you can drop your BC and reg with Aldora and they have it set up on the boat for you each morning as they pick you up. The fast boats tend to get you out to the dive sites long before the larger dive boats show up so we usually found we had the site to ourselves.

Aldora takes great care of experienced divers who want to visit more remote and challenging dive sites. They take even greater care with newer divers to be sure they have a fun, relaxing and safe dive experience without making them feel like noobies. Since Aldora runs multiple boats each day, divers are grouped according to skill level, compatibility and site preference. On my recent trip I brought my girlfriend who has limited dive experience and was a bit nervous. Aldora really took care to select skill appropriate yet fun sites and to make her dive experience memorable and a fun learning experience. She gained confidence and can't wait to get back to Cozumel to dive with Aldora again.

Comments: Aldora is a good operation if you are a beginner. The dive masters are very professional and provide excellent briefings. This is not, however, an outfit exclusively for intermediate level and above divers. The dives are determined based on the skill level of the least experienced diver(s) on the boat. During the week we were there, we made duplicate trips to the same dive sites. Although we were using steel 120's and computers, they were unnecessary given the type of diving we were doing (shallow & bland). This is an expensive outfit. They charge $80 for a 2-tank dive. The going rate on the island is about $60 for a 2-tank trip. They will tell you that they charge extra because they are using steel (120) tanks and provide a "superior" dive experience.  I do believe they are capable of delivering a superior experience if you bring your own group - and your abilities are reasonably close. Unfortunately, we had mixed groups (1/2 advanced, 1/2 beginner) each of the 5 d
 ays and ended up diving beginner profiles for 4 of the 5 days.

In my opinion, they are a high cost / no frills operation. For beverages, expect warm water.  They are absolutely watching their profit margins closely.  In all of my years of diving Cozumel, I guess I've become spoiled by the $60.00 operations that take out 6 divers and provide ice cold soft drinks, water and snacks.  These $60.00 operators will also take out 2 dive masters to accomodate varying levels of experience.  Aldora does not provide this type of experience.  I guess I'd rather go with aluminum 80's and some high voltage diving for 35 minutes versus sucking on a steel 120 on a crowded shallow reef for 90 minutes.

Comments: We  can't say enough good about Aldora and can't imagine diving elsewhere else now.  (This is our second time with Aldora.)  One day when the harbor was closed because of bad weather, we were scheduled for a dive. Rather than disappoint us, Aldora rented a large boat and crew, combined two trips into one, and took us out anyway, still with 6 people in each group, at two different sites with a dive master apiece.  (Bill & Omar--good guys). We were the only dive operation out, with no trouble or risk, and didn't miss our day of diving.   Very safety conscious, and yet took us to the limit, unlike Blue Bubble, whom we'd dived with several years ago, who went with the lowest level of expertise of the group.  It seems the divers who choose Aldora are serious, skillful for the most part, and friendly. They're worth the extra money!

Comments: My  17 year old daughter and I dove with Aldora on two separate trips in November and December 2002 .  I dove with Aldora half a dozen times before over the last 5 years, and it continues to be a top flight operation that provides superb service.   
 My daughter had sprained her ankle just prior to our trip and was walking around on crutches.  However, her doctor cleared her to dive, so we went off on the trip.  The entire Aldora staff was great in accomodating her condition.  They practically carried her on and off the boat.  On our first day, we were the only two people on the boat.  Many dive operations might have canceled our dive, or crowded us onto another boat, not Aldora. The two of us went out on our own boat, with our own private dive master (Bill).  We were not rushed, got our pick of dive sites and had two terrific well guided dives.
Aldora has excellent dive masters.  Most of the people we dove with had been to Cozumel before, and most were also repeat Aldora divers.  We discussed conditions and sites with the DM's, got their recommendations, then the people on the boats picked the sites.  We were well briefed on the dive, and the DM's  did  a great job leading every dive.   They showed us scorpion fish, eagle rays, sharks, and (when the current permitted) a lot of small things.  OUr favorite DM's this trip were Bill and Omar.
Using steel  120 tanks (100s for my daughter) all the bottom times were very long.  However, everyone dove with computers, and the DM's were very safety conscious, and our dive profiles always brought us up safely. 
I also have to mention the rest of the Aldora staff.  They were excellent to a person.  From the people in the office, to the men who take care of the gear and the boats and the Captains, all are committed to taking care of the divers and providing a great experience.  The dives all left on time, our gear was always there and well taken care of, and the boats were in good shape.  The staff is very friendly, and every dive was a delight. 
I recommend Aldora to anyone who wants to have a great diving experience in Cozumel

Comments:  Back with Aldora for the third time in one year. Can't say enough good things abouth them. Highly attentive, personalized service. I have 81 dives under my belt all over the Caribbean and this is the best dive operation I have ever had the pleasure of diving with. I wouldn't consider using anyone else.

Comments: Repeat customer with Aldora.  Again they impressed.  This time I had my wife along to do her open water check out on referral.  Aldora handled this beautifully, allowing her to ger her training finished while still making it seem like a vacation.  As others have said, the steel 120's and computers can't be beat for delivering diving bang for the buck.  And the DM's, Roberto in particular, are absolutely top notch.  I'd happily recommend this outfit to anyone seeking a relaxed, personal dive vacation experience.

Comments: Aldora offers friendly, professional and patient diving unlike any shop I have used.  Their approach provides more bottom time (larger tanks and fills), safety (free computers and full profiles) and relaxation as opposed to the herd of other operators who do little to personalize  or add value to their service.  A top operation worth the cost. 

Posted by Ed on 10/01/01

We stayed at Plaza Las Glorias, which was super.  We have 5th floor (top floor) rooms which were clean and well maintained.  The views were outstanding.

The real highlight of the trip was diving with Aldora Divers.  While I had a good bit of experience diving prior to arrival, my experience with Aldora made me a much better diver.  Highlights included: steel 120 cu. ft tanks for greater bottom time, fast boats first on the reef, and smaller groups of divers.  But above all, the staff really made the deal.  Everyone we met was above average, but most of our time was spent with Master Instructor Bill "Memo" La Rosa.  Bill did such a great job; he was obviously professional and trustworthy, but he also was approachable enough that he seemed like everyone's dive buddy.  I went through the Advanced Open Water course with Bill, and it was spectacular.  He went above and beyond the basics of the book, showing that he cared about us truly learning and understanding more about diving.  On one day of our trip, we went out with a different operation in the afternoon so that the non-divers in our group could snorkel, and the other operator was such a dissappointment compared to Aldora.  I can't say enough good things about Aldora, so I'll end here.  We will definitely be back to dive
in beautiful Cozumel with them again.

Ed
Lexington, KY

Posted by Julie on 09/05/01

My sixth trip to Cozumel, but the first in some time and my first experience with Aldora. Overall, a positive experience. They use steel tanks, which are both heavy (less weight needed) and hold more air than aluminum tanks. The divemasters and the women get 100’s, which are smaller than an aluminum 80; the men get 100’s, which are the same size as an aluminum 80. They dove aggressive profiles, taking my computer solidly into the caution zone on every dive. But with those big tanks, you have a lot of time to get back into the green. Bottom time ranged from 40 to 60 minutes on the first dive, depending on the max depth; always 60+ minutes on the second dive. It’s a great operation for air hogs, and buddies who are exasperated by them. J But it’s an operation for experienced divers. Once they know you’re good, they let you alone. They had relative novices on some dives, but did not compromise the profile for them. Took a new diver to Punta Sur one day, and I was a bit worried for her. The service was very professional and usually punctual. Fast boats, 6-7 divers, surface interval on a comfortable beach with good food. I dove mostly with Jorge, a good dive guide, but not great. He tended to hang around a spot for no discernable reason, and we had to wait for him to decide to move on. Not a huge problem, however; and he did know where the neat swim-throughs were. Also got Nitrox certification with him. I understood everything from reading the book, so we did fine. For someone with less diving experience, or someone who’s not as quick a study as I am, the language barrier would have been a problem. The biggest negative is that they wanted to go to the same sites every time: South Point South and Columbia. Now, these are great dives. But I had to push a little to get to Punta Sur and they wouldn’t take me to Maracaibo. I don’t know if they would do the northern reefs at all; perhaps if you had a group that could commandeer the whole boat. Overall, I’d recommend this operation for experienced divers, and especially for guys who breathe heavy.

Posted by Mark on 06/27/01

I only have a minute but I have to jump in and say we had great dives with Aldora.  Just returned Monday, a total of 8 dives (one shore dive by ourselves).  We did have one boat problem but the divemaster worked it out and the trip was a success.  I am not an expert diver, only 60 some dives over 20 years, but I have been with several dive shops in Coz and would put Aldora high on my list.  I'll try and post a trip report when I get caught up at home and work.

Posted by Kuykendall on 06/27/01

My son and I dove with Aldora mid-June. They are a great outfit, ditto all the other reviews. The steel tanks extended bottom time beyond any other Coz dives I have made, up to 1 hr +. Everyone has a computer (they provide one if you don't have your own) so depth and time are easily managed. The dive masters were all great - we dove with Roberto, Jorge and Omar. They were great with my 15 yr old son, not something every dive master can or wants to do. My son is a good diver, and really did better with air consumption and dive control than some of the adults. The dive masters gave him room to learn and do his stuff, but kept everything SAFE! Roberto pointed out small sea creatures I have never noticed, my son really liked this. We saw plenty of sharks, turtles, crabs, lobster, sea horse - you name it, we saw it. They did have some boat trouble one day, but the dive master came up with a good dive and all had fun. The tanks were not always full, but I'm not sure this made a difference, as the currents were so strong we sometimes ran out of reef! Next time I go, it will be Aldora. Minute for minute BT, the best deal.

What a difference 4 years makes. Dived with Aldora in Feb '97...I believe they were charging $60 per two tank dive at that time. They were by far the most expensive on the island....I considered it a bargin after that trip. They were incredible! The dive masters were wonderful... mature, easy going, friendly, very concerned with safety and taught alot about the local marine life - it seemed as though they loved their work and wanted to share their knowledge....everything went without a hitch.
Our experience with them this June '01 was much different. The bottom times are still long (50-65 min) but for some reason this time several of our dive masters took us on long swims over sandy bottom against very strong currents. Don't remember having to swim to any reefs on the last trip. They still handle all your gear...but now with the occational slip up...an empty tank set up on a bcd, forget to open up a tank, forget to bring requested equipment, etc. They are probably one shop most concerned with your safety even still there were two major accidents (broken leg as someone tried to exit the boat during a surface interval and a diver with decompression sickness on his second day). And I felt fortunate there weren't any more accidents. On two occations the current almost pushed the boat into a diver in the water. Tanks fell lose from their holders almost every day. There was some question about contaminated tanks after sickness (headach and vomiting) hit three divers on the same day. And one day our dive boat lost us, leaving us exposed in the water in the middle of a high traffic area for about 10-15 min. Luckily our dive master  was able to flag down a competitors boat and radio our boat to where we were.
All of this would have been a little easier to handle if the dive masters would have been more pleasant, not so macho and more concerned with the total diving experience. Heck one dive master wouldn't even tell the group on the boat his name after delivering a few stern words to several of the divers. You could cut the tension with a knife.
I gave this group rave reviews after my trip in '97 ... but can't say I would go with them again. Aldora is almost twice as much ($80) as Dive with Martin ($45) and much more than Manta Raya and Cozumel Equalizers. I'll give someone else a try next time.

Posted by Ron Lee on 05/27/01

I have been with them five or six times.  I like the larger tanks for SAFE extended duration dives.

They go to the southern reefs at no extra charge.

They loan a dive computer and DIN regulator if needed (yours is not adaptible).

They spend time on a beach for your SI (love this)

Boats have sunshade and some have cabins.

Boats are fast (6 passenger norm).

They leave early so you are not diving with lots of other divers.

They do cost more.

They will wash and store your gear if you wish.

They pick up at all hotels south of town (their pier is just north of the ProDive pier).

Verify all info as things do change.

My husband dove with them last year, and really liked them.  They, of course, have steel tanks which is a real bonus and will take care of the adaptor for you.  He was very pleased with their operation, and I can't recall any negatives.  Enjoy!

Posted by Gerald on 04/23/01

I just returned from 8 days (4/14 - 4/21) in Cozumel. I had dived with Aldora several months ago, and scheduled my dives for this trip with them as well primarily because the last time I was there they used 100 steel tanks with DIN values and 3500 psi fills. Tanks and values were the same but they're having problems getting the shop that fills their tanks to fill past 3000 psi. That was the only disappointment I experienced. You still get more bottom time with them than anyone else. They still take charge of your gear, rinse it, dry it, store it and have it ready for your next day's diving. The boats have not changed, fast, small outboards for 6 divers only! The divemasters are unequaled and the captains put you right on top of your dive site. I only have one suggestion for Management. Put at least one ice chest on each boat. It's very good to have somewhere to throw a soda, piece of fruit or sandwich. Aldora is the only shop I've ever dove with that did not have an ice chest on board.... Thanks for 5 wonderful days of trouble-free diving. I will see you again soon, I hope.... Gerald Golden gggolden@uark.edu  University of Arkansas@Fayetteville 501-575-6472

Posted by Vlada on 04/20/01

Just wanted to add a more recent review of Aldora, but I am not going to say anything original here – it is a great operation and I am not diving with anyone else on Cozumel but them.

They are a bit on a pricey side, but the service is worth the money, plus if you divide the dollars you pay by the actual bottom time that you get (over an hour every time), they are actually cheaper than others. The boat picked me up on my hotel pier (Costa Club) between 7:30 and 7:50 each morning, they were never late and Aldora boats were the first boats at the hotel pier. Generally, we would be on a reef at least 30 to 45 min earlier than other dive shops. In couple of cases, we had another dive group land on top of our small group when we were in the middle of our dive – and they were out of the water before us!

The dive masters are exceptional; I dove with 4 of them. Roberto was the dive master on most of my dives and he was also my instructor for the Advanced Open Water class – he made my required dives so much fun, I forgot that I was taking the AOW.

Aldora gives everyone who dives with them an Oceanic computer, so all dives are computer dives, allowing for more bottom time and multilevel diving.  Most of my dives were over an hour, except in couple of cases, when the current was stronger and we ‘ran out of reef’.

The surface intervals were about 2 hours and we spent them at Playa del Sol – you can get decent food, there are showers, all kinds of activities and hammocks for those who just want to relax.

I will be definitely coming back to Cozumel and diving with Aldora again. 

Vlada Dekina
dekina@home.com

Yes, they are still terrific.  Of course, they are also one of the most expensive operations on the island, but most would say that they are well worth it.

Not wanting to spend a lot?  Try Eco Divers, my personal favorite in the lower price range.

Lloyd

Posted by Allen Aboujeib on 09/14/00

I wanted to post another message about my experience w/ Aldor and why. I got a couple of snooty remarks from obvious tunnel vision dive table using turkey divers that are happy w/ 30 minute dives for $50 or $60 bucks. On the other hand the other divers who replied are bringing back stories simular to mine and this is why.you start by dropping off your equipment so they can switch your 1st stage out to a DIN fitting, they load your gear in one of their large gear bags and you never touch it again. they pick you up from your hotel dock (saving cab fare)where you will find no more than 6 divers total on the boat, take you to the dive site of your choice, fast fast
boats w/ gasoline engines so you never smell the fumes, they asymbol all your gear and basicaly put it on you, you will never feel the weight of the steel 120 at any time before or after the dive because you roll off the back, and hand your gear to them while you are in the water. you have a long surface interval at Playa Sol (a very tropical remote resort) then head off for another long dive. The shortest dive you will have is over 1 hour (twice most operations) you will go deep, and they will treat you like kings. The Divemasters are very good. They make you use a computer (will supply if you dont have one) and you ! multilevel dive from deep to close to your no deco limits. You will never regret the extra few bucks even if you are on a budget like me.

Expensive, but worth it. Well, not exactly /expensive/ but they do cost more than the other shops (about $100 a day including bc and regulator rental). For good reason too...free use of computers+steel tanks+talented divemasters+fast boats+six max. divers=hour plus bottom times, an intro marine biology course, and leisurely beachfront surface intervals.

If you hire Aldora, ask for Daniel for your divemaster. A marine biologist with over 3000 dives to his credit, Daniel was a saint with our apprehensive, novice diver. He stayed with her all the way down, was as patient as Mother Theresa and showed us more marine life than we would have come across without him.

We spent our 2 hour surface intervals on Playa Sol with a full bar and restaurant, shopping, showers, hammocks and a dj. Was a nice break between dives where we could refuel and review the first dive and plan the second.

If you have requests of where to go diving, let them know. They will take you where you want to go. And your boat will pass all the others that are packed with envious divers. Quiet, twin Hondas power these craft past all other dive boats leaving them in the wake. A feeling worth the extra $$$ alone!

If my review persuades you to hire them, tell Marcy that Jack, Janet and Chrissy recommened them.

Get wet,
Steve

Posted by Amie on April 27, 2000

This was my first time in Cozumel and my group of 7 used Aldora Divers and will never use anyone else again.  They were FANTASTIC.  The night we arrived, they stayed there so we could drop off our gear and get checked in.  You put all your gear (they have rentals if needed) in a dive bag that they give you with your name on it an when they picked us up the next morning everything was all ready.  No tanks to drag to the boat.  Everything was all set up.  We just hopped on the boat and were ready to go. Hit the dive site, and were ready to get in.  Our dive master was Alturio? and the captain was Thomas.  They were great.  Alturio is Superman because of his xray vision.  He was finding things we would never have found like baby sea horses the size of a pin and frog fish and baby flounder the size of a quarter. We were all amazed and there was someone with us with more than 500 dives under her belt and she was impressed.  By the way they use steel tanks.  We were starting out with 3500psi and were staying down for around an hour on each dive and coming up with about 1000psi.  They gave us dive computers to use as well so NO DIVE TABLES.  When they would drop us off at the dock the only thing that we took off the boat was our wet suit, they would have our gear rinsed out for the next day.  Oh, also we were always the first ones to each site for at least 45 minutes. And for those of you who don't enjoy breathing up exhaust fumes from the boat engines you will love their boats. (I am not a boat engine person so I couldn't tell you what kind they were only that I didn't get sick because there was no smell and they were really fast)  Oh last thing, they usually limit the boats to only 6 people so that means NO CATTLE BOAT.  Well I think that I have gushed enough over them.  All I can say is that I will never use anyone else and I am ready to go back (as soon as the purse fills back up again).

Posted by RandyÄ on February 7, 2000

I used to dive with Pasqual's several years ago. He has faithful following and runs a very friendly operation. I moved on simply because I tired of doing strict table dives. They may have changed since then but the dives were too often cut short. You can do three tanks a day with them, not so with Aldora.

I dove with Aldora one week in '98. They run a class operation and if you really need the extra air their steel 120's can provide quite a bit more bottom time. Everyone on the dive will be diving computers, if you don't have one they provide it. They will convert your regulator to a DIN which kills it for shore diving. The dive masters can be a little aloof and mother-henish. We dive have a few dives that were over 90 minutes, but they were not the norm. Most reefs play out before that.
Aldora is also getting a little pricey and only offer 2 tank trips.

I'd say if you really need the extra air provided by the Steel 120's then Aldora is a good choice.

Otherwise, Pasqual would be fine, as would several of the outfits where you dive with the owner.