Best dive sites in the Florida Keys?

[Mickey11]

Hi,

I'm hoping to dive in the Florida Keys in Feb but I have limited time while I am down there. I have quite a bit of diving experience but only my open water certification. What are the 'not to be missed' dives within my depth allowance? Would you recommend I do the Advanced course out there and do you know which dives the courses take you to?

Michal

 

[DivemasterDennis]

There is a lot of great diving at 40 feet and shallower in Pennekamp Park off Key Largo. All dive shops on Key Largo Dive there. There are also some good wreck dives, but they are at depth, and the Key Largo Dive Operators will require an advanced certification or else charge you for a private DM. Of the wrecks, I think the Duane is very cool, though not as big as the Speigel Grove. Both are deep dives- deck about 90 to 100 feet, keel down at 125 feet or deeper. If you are allowed, the Duane is a must do. The Spiegel will be more of a dive for you after you have an aow cert and can spend some time on it. All the wreck dives are weather and current dependent. The shallow stuff is all good- lots of fish, a few turtles, BIG grouper and barracudas, and some of the biggest green morays you will ever see. Have a blast!
DivemasterDennis

 

[Davemohio]

I have not dived the Duane(yet).

For me, the Speigel is awe inspriring. Just by the sheer size.

If budget allows, hire a DM.

Starts at 70 feet if memory serves.

 

[Dr Dog]

I enjoyed both The Dry Rocks and The North Dry Rocks. Dry Rocks features, the Christ of the Abyss statue at about 20 feet. I would have loved the Duane, since that is my name as well, but alas, My cert does not allow me to dive that deep, and when I am in a new area, I am a safety first kind of guy. I would recommend checking out the dive shop located on the Marriot property, Key Largo,******( I am new here, so I did not want to advertise something, when I am not sure I am allowed) ****They treated me great, they were real pros. They had a charter waiting on the docks for them, but allowed us our dives, even though they were late, for this wedding party cruise... Why? Because the capt thought he could get us better vis at another site.
If you are in Key Largo, check out the Bayside Grille, best seafood enchiladas ever

 

[ScubaBB]

Welcome aboard :cool2::cool2::cool2: