Can someone recommend a good dive op for Looe Key?

[OCDinNC]

Headed down to Deerfield Beach for a few days next week, then on to the Keys. I know I'll hit my buddies Capt Gary and Admiral Brenda of course, but several divers have spoken glowingly of Looe Key. Anyone want to recommend a dive op? What sites do you like there? If I had only one day to dive there, what sites should be on my wish list?

(I realize site selection is based on conditions, demand, etc, but I'd like to know what's good there...)

Thanks!

 

[solensdotter]

Hi OCDinNC,

I've only been to Looe Key once, and I used Looe Key Dive Center (Looe Key Dive Center Reef Resort Florida,scuba diving dive training Florida Keys,hotels accomodations motels Florida Keys places to stay,dives boat charters scuba diving Florida keys Looe Reef Resort,Florida divers hotels resorts scuba centers shops). They were fine, although I was not terribly impressed with the hotel rooms; would recommend staying in Key West and just driving the 29 miles... It was terribly convenient to just stumble out the back door and be on the dock the morning of our dive (and the tiki bar was fun!), but I found the beds incredibly uncomfortable...

As far as the diving goes, we did 3 tanks on the reef. The reef is very shallow, ranging from the surface down to approximately 30 feet. It's a "spur & groove" reef, with a lot of definition, nice canyons to swim through. Very pretty. Also, somewhat surprisingly, saw my first bull shark here! However, by the third dive I was ready to see something a bit different. Looking at the pretty fishies is fun, but... So, it depends on what kind of diving you like, but I might suggest doing the wreck of the Adolphus Busch (I believe the sand is at ~120') followed by one or two dives on the reef.

Have fun - and look forward to the trip report!

 

[jimdiverman]

Innerspace, if they are still in operation. That is who I used the last time I dove there, and they did a fine job.

 

[kidsdream]

Innerspace, if they are still in operation. That is who I used the last time I dove there, and they did a fine job.

Their boat is a little long in the tooth, but I like six packs vs. loads of tourisitas from Key West.

 

[trigfunctions]

We did not like Looe Key Dive Center. The hotel is kind of a dump. The dive boat was way too overcrowded and the staff were completely inattentive. I would not use them again.

 

[lmorin]

We dove with Innerspace, too. Was OK. Nothing special. Back roll entries. Looe Key is really nice, but check which way the wind is blowing. If it is from the Gulf side, you will tend to have a fair amount of particulates washed into the reef area. You also might consider using Tilden's Scuba Center at mm49.5 and go to Sombrero Light. It's also very nice and similar to Looe Key.

 

[Scuba Crab]

I went down to Looe Key about a month ago the the diving was great! We stayed at Looe Key dive center Resort The rooms were over priced for the quality of the accomidations. The most disturbing thing was they allmost ruined the weekend by cancelling the dive trip at the last minute for aprox 25 snorkelers and 10 paid divers. Our dives for Sat were salvaged at the last minute by Innerspace and Strike Zone for 10 of us divers! We never even recieved an apoligy from Looe Key Dive center. I will never use Looe Key Dive Center again! Many people in town told us that Looe key dive center does this often.

When I go back to Looe Key I will use Strike Zone or Inner Space. Inner Space has a 6 pack boat and is probably better if you have a small group that want's to go dive a wreck or if you want to choose the dive site. Strike zone is a cattle boat and is better suited to go to the reef with a large group.