Looking for info on diving the Fla Keys

[mushymom]

Hi All,
haven't been round for awhile, but wanted to get info on what diving is like in the Florida Keys or Tortugas. What are the reasonable places for packages and does anyone know what the average costs will be for those packages? What keys are best to dive, etc, etc, etc.

Next question..... :blinking: What about the US Virgin Islands? We've dove St Thomas, but our group is looking at St. Croix, is it worth the money? or is St. Thomas the better deal?

Thanks for the help folks!

 

[WVDiver]

Keys diving is easy and relaxing with generally good vis and lots of marine life. I spend most of my diving time in Largo. There are many good shops and the list is fairly long. I think a search would do you well and give you lots of good reading. I haven't been to the Tortuga area yet, and the UVI are also on the list.

In Key Largo Amy Slate's Amoray Dive Resort is a good place for new divers and is the only "resort" I know of in Largo.

 

[Capt Scotty]

Hello Mushymom,
There are tons of operators and resorts in the Keys. Just take a second and scan some of the post in this section of scubaboard and you will find a wealth of info.

 

[Diveral]

Florida Keys diving is varied and enjoyable. The FL Keys are big so there's lots of good diving and operators down there. Never dove the US Virgin Islands so can't help out there.

Here's a Florida Keys diving guide that I found to be very helpful when I was planning our trip: FLKeysDiving.com: Guide for Scuba divers in the Florida Keys scuba divers Key West to Key Largo with underwater tropical reef fish in John Pennekamp State Park and see maps of wrecks at diveshops

Many of the operators can help out with lodging and diving packages.

This is kinda of neat place to stay: Key Largo Hotel, Tavernier Hotel, Key Largo Resort, Tavernier Inn; Place to stay in Islamorada Florida; luxury Resort, Inn, Upper Keys Lodging

One of my favorite Keys dive Operators CONCH REPUBLIC DIVERS VOTED #1 DIVE SHOP IN FLORIDA KEYS..2006 & 2007

Other good ones I or friends of mine have used:

Sea Dwellers Dive Center of Key Largo, Florida Keys

Quiescence Diving Services Upper Keys Diveshop - FLKeysDiveshops.com: Scuba diving in Key Largo to Islamorada , the Florida Keys scuba divers with underwater tropical reef fish in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and see maps of wrecks

DIVE KEY LARGO - SCUBA with HMS MINNOW DIVING CHARTERS, Florida Keys Pennekamp Sanctuary

Dive Key Largo with BlueWater Divers. PADI Dive Instruction & Charters. Ten Divers Maximum.

AL

 

[Capt Slate]

Mushymon, hey Capt. Slate here, we are always glad to have ScubaBoard members on our boats. See ya underwater...

 

[Speargirl]

Sticky Florida Keys Guide will also help you in your search. It's at the top of the page.

Upper Keys is always better for diving better reefs and more wrecks to choose from. Lots of dive shops to choose from they all have package deals when you call. Some better than others...

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. We have lots of people here on the board that live or come to the Keys often and will be more than happy to help you in your venture for the perfect vacation.

 

[mushymom]

Wow! Thank you Everyone! I will do a bit more research. I just wanted to have some info about where was perhaps the best areas for our group out here in NM as they are looking for a more domestic trip or cheaper than Fiji was this last time. They asked for suggestions, and I thought about the keys.

Thanks oodles....