Cozumel's Octoberfest celebrates diving and revelry in the tropics

In October 2003, more than 130 divers converged on the Reef Club Cozumel resort in Mexico for its third annual Octoberfest. Rather than celebrating beer, bratwurst and lederhosen, this weeklong lower-latitude version offered tropical weather, beach parties and diving galore. The divers enjoyed every minute of it, and in their revelry they created an overall feeling of Gemütlichkeit that would make the Bavarians proud.

When the divers weren't getting wet, they were truly living it up at Octoberfest's many parties. A beach party included live music and the popular Wet T-Shirt/Wet Boxers contest, and the crowd cheered for the 20 intrepid souls who entered the Homemade Bikini contest. The group spent a wild night partying downtown at Fat Tuesdays and the Baby Reef, then there was the renowned Halloween party on Friday night. It was the last of the parties, and it was indeed the last word. According to the crew at Sand Dollar Sports, the Reef Club's on-site dive facility, it was the party of the week ... if not Cozumel's party of the year.

Sand Dollar Sports co-hosted Octoberfest with the Reef Club. Together they gave out prizes that included two round-trip tickets from Continental Airlines and a variety of quality gear from other Octoberfest sponsors, which included Princeton Tec, Tusa, Mares, Henderson, Dacor and more. No one went home empty-handed.

The celebration also allowed underwater photography buffs to participate in the annual Seashots Underwater Photo Competition, founded in 1992 by Cozumel's resident photo pros Holly and Armando Alentado. The Alentados, owners of Island Photo-Video Center and frequent Sport Diver photo contributors, arranged and managed the contest, and in 2003 they added its first-ever digital-imaging category. They also presented a series of free seminars on underwater imaging, offered personal film critiques and provided the free use of underwater cameras from contest sponsor Sea & Sea Underwater Imaging Gear. Winners received prizes supplied by Sea & Sea, including new underwater cameras and digital strobes.

Octoberfest activities this year will include the Seashots Underwater Photo Competition, underwater photo seminars by Island Photo-Video Center, treasure hunts, a toga party, a beach party, the Homemade Bikini contest and nightly entertainment. And, of course, guests will revel in the diving for which Cozumel has become famous.

The Reef Club will once again provide accommodations for the duration of Octoberfest. By day, nondiving guests will enjoy snorkeling off the beach, three swimming pools, a private pier, a tennis court and a gym. Water-sports activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, parasailing and personal-watercraft riding are available. The resort also offers free pool-scuba demos. The Reef Club features an indoor theater and stage, a game room, a disco and a variety of nightly entertainment. Guests with children may take advantage of the Kids Club or kid-friendly favorites, such as the towable Banana Boat.

Octoberfest 2004 is scheduled for Oct. 2-9. Make your reservations soon; space fills quickly, and this is an occasion you won't want to miss.

Contact: Bay Adventures at 888-599-3483 or visit www.bayadventures.com