ajareharat
New
I recently spent some time diving and training with Altons Dive Shop on Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras. For those of you in a hurry, let me say I recommend them without reservation. For those with more time, heres why:
Altons is not the cheapest dive shop on the island, and it doesnt aspire to be. For the extra twenty or so dollars (American) youll spend on ten dives or a course, you get professionalism, equipment in good condition, first-rate dive masters and instructors, and experienced captains on ships that are well-maintained. How much does that matter? Well, I can say that in a twenty-four hour period, I was twice on an Altons boat that was ready, willing and able to tow in or jump off dive boats from other, cheaper shops that were stranded out on the water.
The experience and skill of Altons boat captains made a difference in other ways. Captain Joe found and set us up in just the right spot to swim with a whale shark, without crowding the animal with the boat. On another occasion, he brought our group home from an incredible trip to Cayos Cuchinos on rough seas, but handled those seas with such skill that it was truly a walk in the park and Im no stranger to puking on a boat. Dont miss Cayos Cucchinos, if they are making that trip while youre there.
I took the NAUI Advanced course at Altons with Chris, who in spite of having taught the course probably hundreds of times in his four years with Altons, presented the material with enthusiasm and a constant eye to the well-being, education and enjoyment of the students.
One more thing I especially appreciated was that you could get a good meal and a cold beer, right there on Altons dock, for less than youd spend filling up elsewhere. With God as my witness, I had as good a pork chop on that dock as Ive ever had in my lifeand Im from Tennessee, so thats saying something.
Also, it may be that, like me, youre not eighteen and wonder if youll fit in with the backpacker party crowd of which Utila is allegedly composed. No worries there were all sorts of folks on Utila, and all sorts of folks diving at Altons. I quickly felt a welcome member of the community there. Theres plenty of room to be eighteen and have a good time, and plenty of room to be forty and have a good time, too.
Long story short, if you are interested in having a great time diving with a professional outfit, look no farther than Altons. To find it, get off the ferry, take a right and walk ten minutes. Youll be glad you did.
Finally, thank you to all the folks at Altons for all you do.
Cheers,
aj
Altons is not the cheapest dive shop on the island, and it doesnt aspire to be. For the extra twenty or so dollars (American) youll spend on ten dives or a course, you get professionalism, equipment in good condition, first-rate dive masters and instructors, and experienced captains on ships that are well-maintained. How much does that matter? Well, I can say that in a twenty-four hour period, I was twice on an Altons boat that was ready, willing and able to tow in or jump off dive boats from other, cheaper shops that were stranded out on the water.
The experience and skill of Altons boat captains made a difference in other ways. Captain Joe found and set us up in just the right spot to swim with a whale shark, without crowding the animal with the boat. On another occasion, he brought our group home from an incredible trip to Cayos Cuchinos on rough seas, but handled those seas with such skill that it was truly a walk in the park and Im no stranger to puking on a boat. Dont miss Cayos Cucchinos, if they are making that trip while youre there.
I took the NAUI Advanced course at Altons with Chris, who in spite of having taught the course probably hundreds of times in his four years with Altons, presented the material with enthusiasm and a constant eye to the well-being, education and enjoyment of the students.
One more thing I especially appreciated was that you could get a good meal and a cold beer, right there on Altons dock, for less than youd spend filling up elsewhere. With God as my witness, I had as good a pork chop on that dock as Ive ever had in my lifeand Im from Tennessee, so thats saying something.
Also, it may be that, like me, youre not eighteen and wonder if youll fit in with the backpacker party crowd of which Utila is allegedly composed. No worries there were all sorts of folks on Utila, and all sorts of folks diving at Altons. I quickly felt a welcome member of the community there. Theres plenty of room to be eighteen and have a good time, and plenty of room to be forty and have a good time, too.
Long story short, if you are interested in having a great time diving with a professional outfit, look no farther than Altons. To find it, get off the ferry, take a right and walk ten minutes. Youll be glad you did.
Finally, thank you to all the folks at Altons for all you do.
Cheers,
aj
