Trip Report Key Largo - 19-22 June 2025

[Divin'Papaw]

What camera rig are you using?

Simple GoPro Hero 8 in an underwater housing mounted on a handle. No tray, no lights.

 

[MrChen]

Had a first for me. I was the last in the first group of rec divers to come up the line. I was at my safety stop only to turn around near the end of my stop and have Jeff Knapp, one of Horizon’s tech instructors, behind me. It seemed odd because he went up with his group of Adv Nitrox students a good bit before me. I went to go around him only to have him put his hand on my shoulder and signal me to hold. Seemed odd but I had plenty of gas left so I waited there with him. I finally realized the boat was gone! Turns out a student in another tec class got blown off the wreck and once Jeff’s group was up, they went to pick up the drifting diver. They sent Jeff down to hang with me in case I needed gas. The boat finally returned and we ascended together. It was one LONG safety stop!!

That's wild! Kudos to them for thinking about your safety. Did he bring a slate or did you just sit there for a long SS wondering why?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

That's wild! Kudos to them for thinking about your safety. Did he bring a slate or did you just sit there for a long SS wondering why?

He had wet notes, but he didn’t need to use them. After he told me to hold, I could look up behind me and finally noticed that the boat wasn’t there.

 

[MrChen]

Absolutely full boat. 34/35 seats taken.

Ugh, how'd it go?

 

[MrChen]

It sounds like you had a fun 4 days!

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Ugh, how'd it go?

More manageable than you'd think. HD does a good job. They also helped me get in quickly and for the recreational divers, I was always first in and last out. There were also several groups of tech divers who were doing just one long deco dive.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

One thing that I LOVE about Horizon Divers is that they are very tech and solo friendly. For those that are solo/self-reliant certified, they are very open to allowing you to go it alone.

They do require you to complete the SDI solo waiver and they also require you to be properly equipped (redundant gas, mask, computer, cutting devices). I have zero issues with any of those requirements. That is how I dive pretty much every dive and signing the solo release I totally understand.

Thankfully I did not have to do a solo release for each day, as the SDI form is a bit lengthy. I just had to complete one and they keep it on file.

The standard liability releases are completely online ahead of time, which I also very much appreciate. This should be fully standard these days. Jupiter Dive Center.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

To wrap up this thread, I realized I never covered WHERE Horizon Divers is located.

The shop is right on Overseas Highway on the north end of Key Largo. I won't list the address because you can easily get that from the website. The boats are a 4-5 minute drive NE on Garden Cove Drive.

You will visit the shop day 1 of your trip and for fills if using your own tanks. If using their tanks, you only need to visit the shop the first day to check-in and make sure everything is set for your planned dives.

The boats are docked 3 abreast with ample parking right by the boats.

From the Courtyard and Holiday Inn (they are right next to each other), it is a 10 minute drive to the shop and 13-14 minutes to the boats. Mentioning those hotels as they are the ones I am most familiar with. Lots of other lodging options on the island.

Here is a satellite photo of the layout where they keep their boats. In this photo, all 3 boats are out at sea, but they are docked where I have the red square. Parking is in the lot indicated or across the street along the road if the lot is full.

Hopefully this thread will be helpful in the future for folks considering a trip to Key Largo. It has given me something to do in my downtime on my trip, so that has been fun!

Safe diving!