I started diving with Dive Palancar in 1994, when I retired. I have gone every year since then to the Allegro and in February 2006 to the Grand, since the Allegro was still closed because of Wilma.
I agree that dive masters make the difference. My first instructor/dive master at the Allegro was Allison Dennis, and this year William, Joshua, and Gustavo, Jr. (with dive shop mentor, Carlos for every year since 1994).
As a senior citizen (I just had my 70th birthday), I intend to go back to the Allegro and/or the Grand and dive as long as I safely can. We have just booked the Grand for December
I have particularly enjoyed watching my dive masters grow up, starting as helpers and progressing to certification as dive masters who are caring, professional, and speak fluent English to answer any questions that I might have.
There have been great dives, some strong currents...some reversed, rough water… fantastic coral formations, angels, eagle rays, turtles sharks, etc.
The boat captains and all of the dive masters follow strict PADI protocol, and I never was concerned about my welfare, since everyone really cared, knew what they were doing, and made suggestions on how I could improve my diving skills.
In February 2006 we divers surfaced after a great dive at Dalila. The weather was rough when we started the dive, but we not prepared for what we saw when we surfaced. The weather had become so bad that it was difficult to see the boat, but not impossible. The surf was much worse than when we had started, and we knew that it would be difficult to board the boat.
Things went as expected with no difficulty. The boat came to us, backed up, threw out a line, and we waited our turn to board. It was very difficult to grab the line because of the pitch of the boat was about six feet, maybe more. I was second from last to get on the boat and. Joshua our dive master was of course last…I think there were three pairs of hands to help me get into the boat as I went up the ladder
Once on board, there were no dive boats in view (a first in my experience as a diver on Cozumel). we heard later that the port was closed .The surf had become so rough that we had to get off the boat at the Allegro pier since the newer pier at the Grand offered no relief from the surf because of its pilings. The pier at the Allegro, as you know, is made of concrete, and it was possible to disembark on the side opposite the direction of the surf.
I hope this helps you.
Mike
