...the guru of diving in Cozumel...
Ricardo Madrigal is the owner of Careyitos and the guru of diving in Cozumel. He has been diving Cozumel (and other parts of the world) for over 25 years. His company is the best advanced diving operation in Cozumel. He is a great personal friend of mine and his staff are all terrific people as well. For any advanced diving that you might be interested in, such as Devil's Throat, I would recommend that you contact him and discuss your dive with him. Although other dive companies will take you there, this operation has the most cumulative experience and is highly recommended. Ricardo is a one of a kind guy and you will enjoy diving with Careyitos. |
| 1987 - present |
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Veronica Withington
Tulsa, OK
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I still can't breathe (or not breathe) like Ricardo...
but my average bottom time is up to 66 min per dive, 10 min higher than the last trip with you guys! so your instruction is working. I'm shooting for 70 next time. :)
And the diving: I was a little disappointed in the weather upon arrival, but it was worth "braving" the breezy 65-70 F winter weather and choppy seas, to have a seahorse on our first day, and a hammerhead! on the second, then eagle rays and turtles making regular appearances during the week. The lack of bright summer sun tricked lots of night critters and we observed octopus, lobsters, splendid toadfish, nursesharks and a HUGE green moray wandering the reef as though we were on night dives. Nothing like swimming alongside an eel as big as myself!
Now I'll have to visit twice a year! Hope to see you soon. Thanks for another wonderful time diving. It's great to go to another country and feel I'm among friends. |
| January 2003 |
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Lauren B.
Montgomery Village, MD USA
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We LOVE! these guys....
each and every one of their crew. We could not be in better hands. This was our third trip with them and definitely not our last.
We cannot decide which is better, the day or night dive. In the day we saw a loggerhead turtle and electric squid. In the night dive we saw a porcupine puffer fish and the most incredible basket starfish.
We both agree that the time before and after the dives are great when we are looking in Tony's critter books and know what we might be looking for, or trying to figure out what we have seen. If we don't know, Tony is sure to fiqure it out.
PS........the best Guacamole....yum yum |
| March 2003 |
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Nicole & James Cawley
Mansfield, TX
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For more than 20 years...
...We, Sheryl and Steve (S & S Diving), have been diving with Ricardo and the Careyitos. We've brought experienced divers and newly certified divers to Ricardo for the Cozumel Experience of their LIFE! We make every effort to get to Cozumel as often as we can. We arrange group trips to Cozumel year 'round, and Ricardo and his crew are always ready to accomodate us in every way. I can't say enough good things about this operation. I've made over 100 voyages aboard the Careyitos, and had great and safe diving on every one! |
| 1983 thru present, Every Year as much as possible |
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Steve Billiott - SCUBA Steve
Houston, TX
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Careyitos - You're The Tops!
Can you imagine it...eagle rays, turtles, sharks, big fish, little fish, tiny creatures that only Tony and Ricardo can find. Once they teach you, you are hooked on their style of diving, safety and respect for the diving world. These guys are truly the safest diving operation that I've ever been with (Joey's been diving since 1983; Alan since 1996). If you take the plunge with Careyitos, you will truly eat the best guacamole on this planet, learn to improve your (already perfect in your own mind) diving and make some great new friends. Genuine people, great companions and awesome memories. We will always return to dive with these guys. |
| As much as possible since 1999 |
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Joey Barnes & Alan Foley
Houston, TX
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I don’t look around any longer, I just book with Careyitos Advanced Divers.
I am a Padi scuba instructor and have been coming to Mexico for many years. In all the years of leading diving groups to Cozumel, and diving with many shops both large and small. I would like to say that the best I have had the pleasure to dive with is Careyitos Advanced Divers. The operation is always professional and above all relaxed. They make you feel at home. The dive briefs are always informative as well as entertaining. The Dive Masters leading the dives are the best at finding and showing the wonders of Cozumel. The boat Careyitos is large and comfortable. |
| March 2003 |
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Andrew Grzybowski, DiveBuddyInc.com
Sarasota, FL
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We are already planning our next two trips.
From Our Latest Trip: Imagine, if you can, a turtle that dwarfed Ricardo. Mr. Turtle's barnicles on his back were as large as salad plates. Ricardo and Tony identified him as a loggerhead, making his presence in Cozumel rare. On the next dive 2 juvenile eagle rays gently winged by over the sand next to a reef. Seeing them in crystal clear water in the summer was a real treat. Once again, Careyitos proves to be the best boat on the island. Top it off with Felipe the captain, carefully taking care of diver safety from the bridge. |
| July 2003 |
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Joey Barnes
Houston, TX
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A new believer!
I came with a previous believer & met a boat full of 'em. 12+,10+,4+ years.Was a little light on weight only to be tapped on the shoulder by"C" |
| Nov 2004 |
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Tom Benefiel
OK, USA
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Could... but would never dive with anyone else.
Tony's a dear and can answer any question you might have about marine life. Ricardo, what can I say; a diver to be envied and admired. Roger, the captain follows bubbles and is always there when divers need to surface. Aaron is a great buddy to have around and pays particular attention to new divers and/or divers who need a little reassurance. The quacamole is still tops but the mangos are even better. Ricardo's son, Cielo, is great at finding tiny sea creatures. I live part time on the island and it's a very rare day when I'm not on the boat. Wouldn't trade my experiences with Careyitos for anything!!!! Always there for you, Ricardo and Tony. |
| once a month |
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Gloria A.
TX, USA
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WOW!
Let me repeat that: WOW!
Diving with these guys is how diving should be -- the divemasters give you as much respect as you give them, you'd have to be brain-dead not to learn something from Tony! He seems to know everything about every critter out there and loves to tell you about them. Ricardo doesn't clutter up the water with air bubbles so he can easily spot turtles, sharks, rays, etc. You'll wonder why he is upside-down all the time until you try it... :)
Plenty of bottom time, friendly crew, best guacamole on the planet at lunch, lots of room on board… |
| Feb 2001, Apr 2001, Jan 2003, Oct 2003 |
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Jeff Brush
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Careyitos is GREAT.
Three days with Tony and Ricardo and I'm already able to make my air last more than an hour under water. I learned so much from this crew - and the rest of the ridiculously experienced divers that were on this trip. I guarantee I'll be back.. and I'm bringing my man this time around so he can learn a thing or two! |
| April 2004 |
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Lisa F.
Houston, TX
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My husband and I have been diving with Ricardo for 22 years!
We have been diving in lots of places and with lots of dive operations. I can honestly say that there is no better group than Ricardo's. The Careyitos is a beautiful boat, very roomy (with a bathroom!) the food is fabulous and the crew is like family. I would recommend Ricardo and the Careyitos to anyone who has a love of diving. See you soon! |
| Nov 2004 |
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Dennis & Cindi von Thun
Littleton, CO
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Thanks so much for a wonderful dive experience!
Jan and I enjoyed ourselves so very much. We highly respect all of your abilities ( your care, skill, and judgement). The boat hadnling was excellent and we were thankful for all the watchful eyes. We felt totally safe and cared for at all times. I appreciate you taking such good care of my prized possession--Jan. We will come visit you again and recommend you to our friends. May God bless you all and may you stay in good health. |
| Sept 2004 |
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Darrell and Jan
Katy, TX, USA
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I'm spoiled…
...from diving with Ricardo and Tony! My first open water dive was with Careyitos and I will never be able to dive with anybody else! Can't wait till my next trip even when I'm not on the boat! Its always a blast hanging out with you guys! ; ) |
| Nov 2004 |
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Maggie H
Alexandria, VA
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We will see you next year Amigos!
Ricardo and Tony thanks so much for another great trip. Your staff is always professional and accommodating without being obtrusive. We also appreciate your willingness to share your vast knowledge about diving, Cozumel reefs, and the array of sea life. We used many operations before finding CAREYITOS ADVANCED DIVERS last year and will NEVER use another Cozumel operation again. Anyone who doesn't try CAREYITOS ADVANCED DIVERS is only short-changing themselves. |
| Sept, 2004 |
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Joyce Bendishaw
Tampa, FL
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THANKS for the two wonderful days of diving
We can't believe we got to dive Punta Sur and swim through the Devil's Throat. And I didn't go home without seeing a turtle! Careyitos made our vacation an unforgettable one! |
| Apr, 2004 |
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Lanette & Jeff W
Boise, ID
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Just wanted to drop you an email…
...thanking you and your crew for the great diving last week. My wife Diane, spent Sunday onboard learning Spanish on the Careyitos flying bridge with Roger, and Roger learning English....she had fun! This was the first time that Diane observed diving, now she understands why I dive and enjoy the time I spend with good divers and friends. |
| Spring 2004 |
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Bob S
Portland, OR
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A great time with a great crew!
My wife and I just returned from our first visit to Cozumel. We had 6 consecutive days of diving aboard the Careyitos and all were exceptional. Tony's instruction was second to none as we completed our PADI Advanced Open Water Course! Only 6 days after Hurricane Emily "C" and the crew made sure we were diving in the best possible areas. We stayed away from the crowds and visited some of the best dive sites Cozumel has to offer. The crew is fantastic, very helpful, and a plaesure to be around!
Thanks, Careyitos, For a wonderful Vacation!!! Arg! Arg! I can't wait to come back and go DIIIVING! |
| July 2005 |
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Kevin G.
Frisco, TX
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Up to 70 minutes on one tank is the honest truth
Just got back home today from Cozumel. I've been diving since the 70's. (Tony got a kick out of my "antique" C-card.) I've made well over 700 dives over the years. The four dives I had the "privledge" of making with Tony, Ricardo and his staff are without a doubt the most memorable to date. Thanks to these professionals, those dives way surpassed any expectations I may have had. I truly believe Tony and Ricardo enjoyed the dives just as much as their guests. Tony and Ricardo planned each dive to ensure the group experienced pristine sites without the intrusion of other dive operations. Their claim of maximum bottom times of up to 70 minutes on one tank is the honest truth. You can't convince me that Ricardo does not have gills. Thanks again Tony, from one cajun to another. You can count on lots of referrals from me. |
| July 2005 |
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Skip C
Temple, TX
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Where else on earth can you feel among friends within the first 15 minutes of arriving?
Tony is one of the most genuinely nice and straightforward divers I've had the pleasure of meeting and diving with in my 26 years and 1,554 logged dives. Between Tony and Ricardo, their encyclopedic knowledge of the local marine life makes each dive an exploration on both the macro and micro level. They have an unbridled enthusiasm and love for the reefs of Cozumel. They embody the professionalism and commitment to safety that sets the high watermark for other operators to emulate. Add a crew that goes out of its way to make everyone feel welcome, well hydrated, and well fed and you can understand why they have such a high repeat rate. Thanks Tony and Ricardo for opening my eyes again to the wonders of a 1 1/2 inch treasure like the Mantis Shrimp and the pleasures of unhurried 75-80 minute dives. I look forward to the honor of diving with you again. |
| June 2005 |
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Larry W.
US
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It's never too soon to return
After diving with Ricardo, Tony, and crew for about 15+ years, I always find myself planning the next trip back to the Careyitos when the last dive of the trip is in the log book. |
| May 2005 |
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Gary Pillers
Houston, TX
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Like Family...
Jerry, being an instructor for almost 30 years of course makes him extremely particular. Ricardo and Tony are, in his opinion, the best in the industry bar none.
We have been diving all over the world and have never felt as comfortable any place else as we do with the Careyitos crew. They are warm and caring in their treatment of divers making sure each dive is memorable. They are passionate about the reefs and teaching divers to respect and appreciate them and the aquatic life. |
| Oct 2003 |
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Anne & Jerry Capps
Dallas, TX
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