How big are the boats? I have done a number of dives out of mile post 100 with Horizon, Ocean Divers, Sea Dwellers, and they just buddied me with somebody.
Dive buddies required in the Keys?
- Thread starter cbm369
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caruso
Banned
Drive to the Upper Keys. Better reefs and wrecks, more boats, more buddies.
OP
cbm369
Contributor
They all said they would do that, the problem was, over the next several days, nobody had any divers scheduled...all snorkel and if no other diver goes, I must pay for a "guide". I just thought it was weird...I understand the liability/insurance thing, I just didn't expect it on such a shallow dive.
I did find one that had a dive op going tomorrow, but we already made plans.
OP
cbm369
Contributor
Drive north a bit. There are always dive boats going out of Key Largo, weather permitting.
caruso
Banned
AdivingBel
Diver
Who is "they?" Granted things change, but I dived for years in the Middle and Lower/Slower Keys and only ran into that issue with one particular dive op (no longer in business) that had more rules than a catholic girls school (sorry, not PC
). The rest of the ops if given a days notice would dig up another diver or one of their DMs would hop in if there was only one diver and they were already going out with snorkelers. Sorry you've bumped your head on the situation because I certainly enjoyed a lot of laid back dives on the little patch reefs in the area. Good luck. According their website Captain Hooks still puts a guide in the water. I know they used to...unless they are the "they" you're referring to...
Enjoy Florida Keys Diving & Snorkeling with Captain Hook's
Boats go out AM and PM. Have family drop you off at boat at noon. Then they can go shopping or go over and play with the dolphins You get off the boat and join them for a cool one and dinner at several of the eateries near the boats. Or they can drop you off at the boats and go over to Pennekamp park. There is an indoor exhibit. Also a beach they can swim from.
sportxlh
Contributor
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In my experience, most will want you to hook up with an insta-buddy. With the solo cert and spare bottle, some, but not all will let you dive solo. I've dove solo with Horizon Divers, Quiessence, Conch Republic Divers, Captain's Corner, Rainbow Reef and Dive Duck Key.
The only place I've been able to rent a pony bottle was Conch Republic. Otherwise I bring my own. A 40 or 19 cubic foot bottle if I'm driving, or a 6 cubic foot bottle if I'm flying.
If you're not solo those certified, it might be worth it to take the class while you're in the Keys. Additionally you can pick up a small pony bottle for relatively cheap and ship it home or take the valve off and send it in your checked luggage
The only place I've been able to rent a pony bottle was Conch Republic. Otherwise I bring my own. A 40 or 19 cubic foot bottle if I'm driving, or a 6 cubic foot bottle if I'm flying.
If you're not solo those certified, it might be worth it to take the class while you're in the Keys. Additionally you can pick up a small pony bottle for relatively cheap and ship it home or take the valve off and send it in your checked luggage
2airishuman
Contributor
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