Dive Business in Florida Keys?

[Quest]

I took a trip to the keys last weekend and noticed a ton of businesses with "For Sale" signs posted.

When talking to a few different store owners they indicated bad losses the last few years because tourism has been poor.

I even noticed one dive store closed and two dive stores up for sale.

Can anyone provide me info on how the diving industry in the keys is doing?

I was looking to relocate to the Keys in the next few years and work for one of the dive businesses there. But, from the looks of things it sounds like there are a bunch of unemployed dive instructors and more dive stores than there is a demand.4

 

[JamieZ]

Didnt you just answer your own question. According to the dive shops you talked to buisness has been slow due to no tourists. Oh by the way I forgot to say welcome to the board!

 

[Quest]

scubanarc once bubbled...
Didnt you just answer your own question. According to the dive shops you talked to buisness has been slow due to no tourists. Oh by the way I forgot to say welcome to the board!

No i didnt have the opportunity to talk to any dive stores. Just talked to a few nondiving related businesses.

 

[WreckWriter]

The dive industry in the Keys is very competitive. Its real tough for a new guy to keep up with businesses that have been around for 30 years and have multiple large boats and the money to advertise. Its always been this way.

WW

 

[Bob3]

The drop in sales over the past year has been in some cases, 50% and more.
The terrorist 9-11 thing took a hit on buyer confidence, the economy is going down the crapper, added to the dollar losing +10% to some European currencies (higher priced imports) & ya have a recipe for hard times.
Oh yah, the upcoming war on Iraq has the economic outlook up in the air too, estimated $100 billion price tag for just the war on top of a record deficit.
Almost left out 90% of the tax cut $ going to 1% of the taxpayers

Be sure to say "thank you" to the bozos in Washington the next time you vote.:upset:

 

[Bomber]

Sounds like you drove through Islamorada, the for sale signs are a combination of family illness, different people retiring, that sort of thing - but mostly a result of our incorporation and the people that are now in charge of running our new 'Village of the Islands/Idiots".

The signs at the dive shops might be a result of two very popular dive shops that have simply moved to better locations.

and every thing else that was already said.

 

[bilznut]

I'll tell you what, I've dove the Keys twice and will be there again in May, but I must tell you that as far as dive-friendly shops/boats, the Keys is a very unfriendly place to get wet. When I go, I rent a car and dive different shops/boats. For the most part, these are unhappy folks in these shops. I have been all over the world and have never experienced the feeling of being unwelcome after spending a few hundred bucks to dive. That's why I would never relegate myself to diving w/one shop for repetitive dive days in the Keys; although I routinely do this in other dive destinations. The only reason I keep going back for the rude attitudes, is the absolutely wonderful waters and fish life. It's no wonder businesses are for sale...take it as sign and go somewhere without a for sale on it. And no, I am not some loud mouh who thinks he's been everywhere. My first dives were in the Keys and I went back three years later and I am going back again. The diversity of sealife may be unparallelled. Go, but suck it up, these folks on the boat are unreal. I will not name shops but I am leafing through my log and have used 12 diffrent operations on the Keys w/three receiving high marks for boat crew personell. My remarks have nothing to do with price either.

 

[Skeeter1097]

I have heard that too. I dive West Palm Beach And have never had any complaints. Not about the people or the LDS. I am heading to Ft. Myers tomarro.WE well see. Welcome to the board.

 

[Capt Gary]

Yes the Keys are changing. A lot of businesses are for sale, but I only know of two dive shops for sale and they are in the Islamorada area. I'm sure everything is for sale if the price is right. And boy have the prices in the Keys been going up up up. It is a shame when you see the flavor of the Keys changing, but that is the price you pay for being popular.

Bilnut...Sorry you've had bad experienced with boat crews. It's very hard to get a good boat crew who cares about the customer and is not burned out. I see that a lot here. I would suggest you let the owner know about your experiences and see what happens. The only way change can occur is if problems are brought to their attention.

Owning a dive shop is a tough business. You have to love hard work and people to have any chance of surviving. A lot of owners get burned out and lose track of the dream and alure of owning a business that provides people with a rare opportunity to see natures beauty. But with the support of the diving community and constructive feedback on how we can get better, we the dive shop owners can still provide the divers with an expericence that memories are made of.

Good Diving,

 

[bikefox]

Yes the Keys are changing. A lot of businesses are for sale, but I only know of two dive shops for sale and they are in the Islamorada area. I'm sure everything is for sale if the price is right. And boy have the prices in the Keys been going up up up. It is a shame when you see the flavor of the Keys changing, but that is the price you pay for being popular.

Bilnut...Sorry you've had bad experienced with boat crews. It's very hard to get a good boat crew who cares about the customer and is not burned out. I see that a lot here. I would suggest you let the owner know about your experiences and see what happens. The only way change can occur is if problems are brought to their attention.

Owning a dive shop is a tough business. You have to love hard work and people to have any chance of surviving. A lot of owners get burned out and lose track of the dream and alure of owning a business that provides people with a rare opportunity to see natures beauty. But with the support of the diving community and constructive feedback on how we can get better, we the dive shop owners can still provide the divers with an expericence that memories are made of.

Good Diving,

And you run a great business. My dive buddies and I were talking the other day that we have never been on the "perfect" trip. That we would always do something a little different on every trip if we did it again. Then our Keys trip came into the discussion. We all agreed it was the closest thing to perfect that we have had. Thanks to Capt. Gary and the crew at Conch Republic. You guys do it right!!