PD R.
Yelp
First...know that I am an avid YELP reader of reviews but not an avid YELP writer of reviews.
Our experience with Jay & David during our July 4th 2018 trip to Cabo merited this written review. Warning: lengthy, but hopefully will give you a broad overview of our experience based on our group of very diverse divers (w/Pics).
1) I am a certified, openwater vacation diver with 100+ dives logged....not a lot by many standards, but enough to be knowledgeable.
2) My wife is not a diver....has been on a one-time resort dive a few years ago during our honeymoon to see if she could get past her anxiety about diving. She was anxious @25ft then but enjoyed it enough to want to try one more time...and knowing that I talk about doing it together...she really wanted to give it another go.
3) The other couple who joined us were not divers...but wanted to learn.
The DIVE INSTRUCTION experience:
I contacted Dive Ninja based on solid reviews before our trip...and Jay (owner / operator) was very responsive. I described the varying levels of divers we had with us and that we were looking for a patient, informed (english-speaking) dive instructor for the other 3 who would allow me to hang out with them for their initial dive instruction.
Jay was more than accommodating and described their operation, and the appropriate requirement of a half day of several hours of classroom & pool work...then an afternoon dive (or 2) depending on the diver comfort levels at the 30-40' beginner dive site (Pelican Rock) which has a sandy bottom - ideal to begin a first ocean dive.
Everything he described sounded on par with what you would expect.
However, in going above/beyond, Jay has partnered with Nautilus Dive Tech in Cabo and utilizes their instruction pool which has a 3' instruction level shelf and then drops to a 15' deep practice pool...an important depth to practice clearing ears, bouyancy/weights etc. for an inexperienced diver.
His personal instruction in both the classroom portion & pool work was reflective of his MANY years as both a dive instructor, dive master and as a professional diver - salvage, rescue, etc. He was clear, patient, fun but most importantly he was professional. He was clear to articulate the dangers and rewards of diving as a sport without scaring anyone.
My wife did GREAT....she was calm, relaxed, and was very comfortable in the pool. I attribute this to the way in which Jay made her feel reassured. The other couple adjusted to the pool experience with a bit more of a challenge, but eventually were able to pass the pool work and go for the dive.
We got fitted with all of the appropriate gear (which was in very good condition). I brought my own mask,fins,snorkel, 5mm suit, but their package pricing was VERY reasonable for the gear the other divers needed (all of above, plus BCs/appropriate 3mm wetsuits for July diving, etc).
The DIVE
We told Jay we weren't looking for a packed boat of divers with a big ratio of divers-to-dive masters, especially with our 3 inexperienced divers. Jay offered a private charter boat option with HIM, one of his experienced dive masters (Dave), & the captain. And as a bonus, coincidentally he just hired a 3rd dive master & had picked her up at the airport the day before. He'd known her for years in past professional roles in another part of the world. She joined us for her 2nd ever dive in Cabo to get familiar with the area. So, we had a ratio of 3 dive masters to 4 divers! Can't beat that.. Luck of timing, too.
The dive boat was clean, and built for diving. His captain has been captaining boats in Cabo for quite some time and was a stellar navigator of the many challenges Cabo water tourism can bring. The service on the boat and the way they prepared the equipment and got the divers suited up, and feeling confident for entry, was great!
Once we were ALL in....our couple friends struggled to get down, or clear ears, and ended up aborting their first dive after 15-20 mins of trying. GREAT patience on Jay's part to work with them, and this additional time of working w/them could have created anxiety in my wife about her friends not being able to get settled. Eventually, she & Jay descended and joined Dave, the other dive master and I down at the bottom.
We enjoyed a rather murky first dive with marginal sea life in the over-populated beginner dive site/snorkeling site...but it was an important dive. My wife felt comfortable the ENTIRE TIME...at 40' depth. Jay stayed right with her - and that reassuring partnership under water gave her a much-needed confidence that she CAN do this..and WANTS to.
While the 3 others bailed on a 2nd dive and opted for snorkeling (my wife was torn & felt she should stay with her friends who were co-chartering the private boat), Jay stayed with them while Dave & the new dive master & I were able to get a 2nd dive in at a 60-70' depth.
I HIGHLY recommend Dive Ninjas for your Cabo Dive experience...for ALL diver levels!