Last updated: July 2026
Meet Dory — Your Cozumel Dive Buddy, Travel Writer & Island Insider
From first dives in 1987 to living my best barefoot life in Cozumel — here’s my story, and how I can help you discover island magic too.
Who I Am
Hi! I’m Dory, aka ScubaShannon (or Shannon Coleman), your friendly Cozumel island insider and resident thalassophile… (that’s just a fancy word for someone absolutely in love with the sea!). I’m the owner of We’ve Gone Coastal Cozumel, an SSI Open Water Instructor, a scuba diver since 1987, and the writer behind this travel guide dedicated to helping visitors experience the real Cozumel through firsthand adventures, local knowledge, and authentic recommendations.
Like Dory from Finding Nemo, I’m easily distracted by anything shiny, always drawn to the ocean, and yep… I often forget where I left my sunscreen! Give me a glass of wine, a charcuterie board, and a view of the Caribbean, and I’m as content as a clam.
~Dory 🐠💙
As an SSI Open Water Instructor, diving is one of my greatest passions. If you're planning to dive while visiting, be sure to explore my Complete Guide to Diving in Cozumel.
My Story- How the Ocean Found Me
Truth is, I’ve always been drawn to the sea. Growing up, my family spent summers in Port Aransas, Texas, chasing waves, collecting seashells, and falling asleep to the sound of the surf. When I graduated high school, I even had my sights set on becoming a marine biologist… but life happens, and that dream got pushed aside for a while.
Years later, what started as “a dive trip” turned into a lifelong island love story. Cozumel’s crystal-clear reefs, warm-hearted locals, and endless underwater adventures completely stole my heart - and in 2021 … that childhood dream circled back when we purchased our We’ve Gone Coastal Villa. Now, the ocean really is my backyard.
Since then we’ve welcomed hundreds of guests to Cozumel while sharing our favorite beaches, restaurants, dive sites and hidden island gems.
Since launching We've Gone Coastal, I've personally answered thousands of guest questions, planned hundreds of Cozumel vacations, and continue to update these guides as the island changes. Every recommendation is based on firsthand experience - not copied from travel websites.
As a diver and SSI Dive Instructor, I’ve logged over 600 dives and I’m still just as awed by each sea turtle, octopus and reef as I was on day one. I’m also a proud Rotarian and giving back to this beautiful island community is as much a part of me as my fins. Every restaurant, beach, dive operator, excursion, and travel tip I recommend throughout this website comes from firsthand experience.
In my free time, you’ll find me searching for sea glass, dreaming of being a mermaid, or simply gazing at those turquoise waters from our beachfront villa or condo. And socks? Oh, no thanks! I’d rather be barefoot with sand between my toes - flip-flops are as fancy as I get!
One day, my husband Jeff, aka Jefé, and I will live here full-time - forever waking up to island sunrises and barefoot sunsets.
Why Trust My Recommendations?
I’ve been diving since 1987.
SSI Open Water Instructor.
600+ logged dives.
Vacation rental owner.
Thousands of guests welcomed.
Personally explored the beaches, restaurants, dive sites, excursions, and hidden corners of Cozumel that I recommend throughout this website.
If you see it here…
I’ve probably done it.
Why I Started Sharing Our Favorite Places
When Jeff and I began welcoming guests to our vacation rentals, we quickly realized everyone wanted the same thing—not just a beautiful place to stay, but recommendations they could trust.
They asked us where the locals eat, which beach clubs are worth visiting, who we dive with, and what hidden gems most visitors never find.
So I created this blog to share the places, experiences, and island tips we've discovered through years of exploring Cozumel. My hope is that whether you stay with us or simply use these guides, you'll experience the island the way we have—one unforgettable adventure at a time.
Friends, family, and guests were always asking us the same questions:
Where should we eat?
Which beach clubs are actually worth visiting?
Who do you recommend for diving?
What are your favorite hidden gems?
After answering those questions over and over, I realized I needed one place to share everything we've learned through years of exploring Cozumel. This blog is where I share our favorite restaurants, beaches, dive sites, local tips, and firsthand experiences to help you experience the island like we do—not just as a visitor, but as someone who has truly fallen in love with it.
How You Can Use My Guides
A Few of My Favorite Things
Favorite Cozumel memory: Watching my kids and grandkids spend a week each summer chasing salt water, belly laughs, and new adventures — that’s my island joy.
Local snack: Fresh ceviche, guacamole, and an ice-cold cerveza — the taste of paradise.
Favorite quote: “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.” — Wyland
If you're looking for generic travel advice, there are plenty of websites that can help. If you're looking for recommendations from someone who actually dives these reefs, eats at these restaurants, and welcomes guests to Cozumel every week, you've come to the right place.
Let’s Plan Your Perfect Cozumel Adventure
Whether you’re visiting to dive, snorkel, celebrate with family, or simply unwind beside the Caribbean Sea, I’d love to help you experience the island that stole my heart.
Explore my travel guides, discover local favorites, or stay with us at We’ve Gone Coastal.
👉 [Back to Blog] | [Explore My Travel Guide] | [Stay With Us]
Everything I recommend on this website is based on firsthand experience. I personally visit the restaurants, beaches, dive sites, excursions, and local businesses featured throughout these guides because I believe the best travel advice comes from people who genuinely love the places they share.
Credentials
SSI Open Water Instructor
Scuba diver since 1987
600+ logged dives
Owner of We’ve Gone Coastal Cozumel
Author of the We’ve Gone Coastal Travel Guide
Rotary International Past District Governor
District Rotary Foundation Chair, District 5870
“Just keep swimming and never stop enjoying the magic all around!”
My Promise
I don’t write about places I haven’t experienced. Every recommendation you find on We’ve Gone Coastal comes from firsthand adventures, countless conversations with locals, years of exploring Cozumel, and the same advice I happily share with family, friends, and every guest who stays with us. My hope is that when you leave Cozumel, you’ll love this island just as much as I do.
🌴 Explore Cozumel Like a Local
Discover the ultimate guide to Cozumel’s hidden gems, top beaches, and the best local spots. Whether you’re here for relaxation or adventure, we've got you covered.
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