Advanced Cert. Dives in Key West

[reefdiver1960]

I'll be headed to Key West soon to do my Advanced Open Water dives. (NAUI)
Anyone have any helpful tips or suggestions on dive operators, and anything else?
Thanks

 

[Garrobo]

AOW is a joke/ripoff.

 

[Louma]

Everyone has lots of opinions on this course. It is getting harder to get on a commercial boat to do deeper dives without this cert. The OP asked a question which deserves an answer. The shop I like down there is Bonzi Dive, Capt Pete. 30 + years Navy diver, a very good, knowledgable instructor and a little 6 pack boat.[/QUOTE]

 

[k ellis]

Reef just an Idea but you may look at what it cost in your local area. I am going to Key Largo soon and the prices I noticed for Open Water are almost $500.00 Here localy about 250 gets you through EVERYTHING. Its very expensive to take the classes there. I was surprised Hawaii of all places was one of the cheaper places to get certified that I have personally found.

Just an FYI. And if you will be in Key west from what I hear Key Largo is not far from there and has been quoted as having more underwater attractions. If you decide that route Id say Ocean Divers but thats just based on my research.

 

[Garrobo]

So far in three years no operator has demanded that I have an AOW to dive the wrecks or deep reefs around Key Largo or Islamorada or Cozumel. I contacted several ops around Pensacola who go out to the Oriskany and most of them said that an AOW cert is not necessary to dive it. The deck is at 135 feet. They only wanted to see my log book to show that I'd made enough dives over 100 feet to qualify for their agenda. Pick your operators and save the $300. AOW, in my opinion, is a bogus cash cow for the agencies and training operators, some may disagree (unless it is taught on the scale that Ber Rabbit trains. Then you get your money's worth.)

 

[potato cod]

I don't agree with Garrobo. I have yet to do my AOW, but will be doing it in the Keys this December off Looe Key/Big Pine Key. Having logged a year of diving, I'm at the point where I've gotten more confident and skilled, but think that spending some money to work with an instructor at this point to really fine-tune my bouyancy, gain confidence doing another night dive, work on navigation, and do a dive that is a little deeper than I've been while getting to see a cool wreck (Adolphus Busch Sr. at ~100') seems worth it.

As for the price, the shop I'll be diving with does only 6-pack service and charges $77 for a 2-tank trip (assuming no gear rental). Since I'd be doing at least 3 trips anyway, I'd be paying $231 for the diving. The AOW includes the instruction and the 3 dive trips for $390. So, the difference is only $159. I'll admit that I haven't been on a boat yet that has strickly limited depth, but the AOW will ensure that I can make the dives I want if I ever do.

I see that you are a newer diver, so I imagine you are in a similar situation where you'd like to continue with your training and it looks like you've already made the decision to do it, so that's not the main point of your post anyway.

As for recommendations, I have yet to dive my AOW, so I don't know yet how it will go, but they (Innerspace Dive Shop) was well reviewed in a few places I looked. They're a little outside of Key West on Big Pine Key, so that may not work for you. My SO and I wanted to dive Looe Key because it is our favorite spot in the Keys, which was a large part of the decision to do our AOW there. They do have both Padi and Naui. Just another option in case you're interested. Good luck!

 

[John_B]

Reef just an Idea but you may look at what it cost in your local area. I am going to Key Largo soon and the prices I noticed for Open Water are almost $500.00

Who with?

I've seen AOW prices in Key Largo from $320 (Rainbow Reef) to $399 (OD, no surprise).

 

[reefdiver1960]

I did not mean to start a debate. The reason for AOW is that you have to take it to move on up the ladder and take the rescue course. Since there is no place here to dive, I have to do my cert dives somewhere and so I figured, why not do it while on vacation.

 

[ScubaTexan]

More than anything else, the best thing I can tell you is to relax and have fun. The certifications from AOW on are more challenging, but lots and lots of fun, especially Rescue. Practice your buoyancy skills whenever you get the chance. Don't be freaked out to get a little narc'd on your deep dive -- it happens to everyone (whether they want to admit it or not).

Hope you have an absolute blast in the Keys!

 

[Garrobo]

If you don't want an opinion don't ask for one.