Best Beginner Dives in the Florida Keys?

[PatW]

For "easy" dives, you probably want to dive the shallow reefs. There are a lot of options: molasses reef, french reef, the elbow and many more all of which are less than 40' and generally with no current. At about 35'-45', you can dive the Benwood. This is a wreck that went down in 1942. It is very well encrusted and usually has a considerable number of schooling fish hanging around.

 

[SnorkelLA]

If its reefs your looking for, Molasses has most everything you could want. I myself don't like Eagle Ray Alley because there's lots and lots of dead coral on that site. Makes it an eyesore.

Spanish Wreck is good, really cool to see the old wreckage, and there's good coral formation.

Tons of fish at North Star, plus the coral formations are crazy awesome.

I don't remember which one in particular this one is, but there's one buoy with lots of coral canyons, they are very fun to swim in and out of.

Fire coral ledge is cool too

 

[conchrandy]

Be patient, Molasses, French, Benwood, Elbow, KL Dry Rocks and Carysfort should keep you entertained for years. The wrecks, for the most part are AOW.

 

[cadive]

Awesome! Thanks for everyone's input. I decided to road trip my way up the Keys for better diving/beaching experiences. I'm going to start in Key West, then head up to Marathon for a couple nights then Key Largo for a couple more. I'll be there 9/8-9/15 so we'll just be missing each other. Have a great time!