Myself and two buddies are planning on flying down to the Keys after Christmas for some splash-time. We have a private plane and are thinking of either landing in Key Largo or Marathon. We are from Baton Rouge, LA and usually dive P'Cola area as well as Cozumel.
Can anyone assist with the following?
1. Best Charters to use?
2. Sites to make sure we hit?
3. Can we do the Vandenberg and Christ from these spots?
4. Water temp around this time?
5. Hotels suggestions?
6. Restuarants not to miss?
Thanks
Marathon is smack in the middle...the past 4 years my wife and I stayed there and you can easily get to Key West and Key Largo, but you're gonna have to do a little driving! (morning dives at either spot are pretty much out unless you like to get up at "0 dark 30" to get there for when the boat leaves...most op's leave around 8:00am, want ya there at 7:30 and it's about a 60-75 minute drive...sometimes traffic sucks, sometimes the 7 mile bridge is closed because of an accident
Anyway.....KW ops I use are either Captains Corner or Subtropic, both go to the Vandy early, then do reefs in the afternoon...sometimes you can get an afternoon Vandy dive. Marathon ops I use are either Captain Hooks or Tildens. KL ops I use are Conch Republic divers, or Blue Water Divers. (google works on all of them)
Sites to hit?
KW: Vandy...that's it!
Marathon: Thunderbolt, the odd reef...most are pretty decent
Key Largo: Spiegel Grove, Duane, Eagle, Molasses reef, etc.
Water temps are in the mid 70's not horrible in a 3mm, but I don't get cold easily. A lot of the locals I've dived with there will use a 5mm and a hood & glove.
Hotels? we usually stay in condo's. Can't help on that one.
Restaurants? Wow..so many good ones to choose from, I've never really had a bad meal down there....here's a few I can remember off the top of my head.
KW: Conch Republic Seafood company, Virgillios.
Marathon: Key Colony Inn, Sharkey's Landing (good sandwiches and beers)
Islamorada: Islamorada Fish Company
Key Largo: The Fish House
There's also a Brazillian steak house in both Key West and Islamorada called Brazalina...you won't walk away hungry!!!!!
Hope some of this helps...have fun!