Best Beginner Dives in the Florida Keys?

[cadive]

I'm going to the Keys in September and am wondering what the best beginner's dives are. I'll be staying in Key West for most of the trip but will venture up to Key Largo if there is a superb dive up there, as I suspect there may be. This will be my first dive outside of the certification dives. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[Lizard Leg]

Head up to Marathon and do Sombrero Reef, Key Largo for Molasses reef, I think it's Big Pine Key for Looe Key Reef- all of these can be in 20-40' range, but mostly in the 20-25' range if I remember correctly. Not sure about Key West area diving - never ventured that far down for diving.

when are you going down? Will be in Marathon 9/28-10/6

---------- Post Merged at 01:56 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:54 PM ----------

BTW - that time of year I would check with the dive op and make sure the morning boat on the day you want to go isn't a deep/wreck dive.

 

[acteg]

Plenty of shallow reefs around key west if you don't want to drive up from Key West. I like Capt's Corner in Key west. Big boat, good crew, cheap prices.

 

[SnorkelLA]

Molasses Reef and Snapper Ledge are stellar dive sites. (Molasses having 32 separate dive sites). Of course, the Vandenberg is a must dive in Key West. The Duane and Spiegel Grove are both really cool dives, but be sure to have a big, HP tank if you're going singles on the wrecks.

 

[Biggar]

Rainbow reef runs nice operation. Right off molasses, go to Benwood wreck too. Its shallow and for beginners

 

[jimw]

Another vote for the wreck of the Benwood up off Key Largo. Always a lot of fish!! Depth from 25-55ft. Off the bow is about 55--on the wreck about 25-35ft.

 

[scubaguy655]

I wouldn't consider the Duane or Spiegel Grove beginner sites.

Molasses is a series of several great sites that probably fit your needs. I personally like eagle ray alley and the winch hole for 2 of my favs. The Benwood is also a nice site for beginners and old hands as well.

 

[SnorkelLA]

The Duane and Speigel can both be very easy dives provided the currents are right.

 

[rha600]

Plenty of shallow reefs around key west if you don't want to drive up from Key West. I like Capt's Corner in Key west. Big boat, good crew, cheap prices.

This. If you go on their afternoon dive it is a snorkel and dive trip so the reef you're on is at a max of 30-35 feet. The first dive we did when I was there had a max of 26 feet. Plus they had a discover scuba session going on so we just tagged along with the DM taking that group out so he showed us the good stuff.

 

[Chris Brown Tech]

The Duane and Speigel can both be very easy dives provided the currents are right.

This will be thd OP's first dive since certification. Most of us require AOW and / or recent deep logged dives or a guide for the Spiegel or the Duane.

I agree these sites can be easy, but not for beginners