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Updated based on Squalo's reply:
1. Guides ended the dives at 26-37 minutes (30-50ft depth, divers over 2300psi), this happened on day 1 and day 2, on all four dives, and with two different Squalo dive guides. ***I was using a dive computer, these are accurate times. A maximum depth of 54 feet (day 2) does not require quitting at 26 minutes for "safety." I stand by my comment, and other divers may want to know that they will not get their full dive time at Squalo.
2. Surprise 10% surcharge for paying with a card, 6% PayPal, no option to pay online when you book. Not disclosed on the website or in the confirmation email. ***I also stand by this warning to other divers--you need to post this fee policy on your website and include it in your confirmation emails... the sign on your desk doesn't help me when I'm booking on your website. 10% is a very high fee. If I'd known in advance, I would've brought more cash to cover it. Many travelers plan out the amount of cash needed for a trip, and avoid foreign ATMs for safety reasons or because of the fees.
3. The photographer on the crew dives up front with the guide, has poor buoyancy control (kicking floor and reef), ruins visibility for the other divers. ***If she's an "intern," then she is under the instruction of the dive guide, who made no apparent effort to get her off the coral or preserve the visibility. This is a reasonable expectation of a professional dive company. It's also your responsibility to preserve the coral reef in your state marine park.
4. Rental gear = snorkel fins “we don’t have any scuba fins.” ***Full foot fins were not the problem, you told me you only have short fins for snorkeling. Scuba fins are longer, which again I would expect you to know as a professional dive company. You also said you don't have boots in my size (women US 7-8, a very common/average size). Other divers may want to know this, especially if navigating through a current wearing snorkel fins.
5. Refreshment provided in between dives is an unpeeled orange. ***There was no watermelon day 1, no cookies day 1 or 2. The orange (apparently a gift from your intern, which was kind of her) is not a substitute for providing refreshments, "fruit and cookies" as advertised. Some divers care about the refreshments in between dives and may want to know that they can't count on Squalo to handle it and should bring their own.
***I did bring up my concerns to the dive guides about the fee, about the gear, and foremost about the dive times, but there were no solutions offered, it was a take it or leave it situation. I paid extra to go to the "shark cave" site for Day 2. At no point did you ask to cancel or reschedule due to low booking. Again we got less than 30 min per dive, so I don't feel that you did us a special favor. And based on your reply, I believe a dive company that defends their failings instead of taking action to correct them might concern other customers, so once again, I stand by my report. Beware, fellow divers.
I appreciate that the crew was very friendly and welcoming, but it doesn’t make up for the problems. Simply wasn’t worth the cost, I won’t be back. Dive Cozumel, Key West, or La Paz… you will spend less, see better reefs/sea life, and get treated better. - via 