Dive trip to Key Largo

[KPAW]

Hey folks,
A couple of friends and I are making the road trip from NC down to Key Largo sometime in July for a few days of diving. I would love to hear any suggestions for worthwhile dive operators, places to stay, thing to do after a long day of diving, ect.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Sh@rkW@tcher]

You might want to look into booking a package with Quiescence diving service. 6 pack boats, very nice rooms at the Key Largo Resort Holiday Inn. When you book a package you get price breaks on both the room and diving. My wife and I stayed there a couple of weeks ago, and I heartily recommend them.

 

[KPAW]

It is funny you mention Quiescence, as they are on my short list. One of the guys coming with us has dove with them before and only had good things to say about them. Glad to hear they have another vote.

 

[Weezy]

My husband and I just returned from a week in Key Largo and we definitely recommend Jeff Jarvis' operation - HMS Minnow Charters. He only takes 6 divers and will take you wherever you want to go - extremely flexible. (website is DIVE KEY LARGO - SCUBA with HMS MINNOW DIVING CHARTERS, Florida Keys Pennekamp Sanctuary) We also stayed at Bay Harbor Lodge which was fabulous; very quite, great staff, beautiful sunsets and extremely clean as well as diver friendly.

 

[Diver Kat]

BlueWater Divers (w/Key Largo Brent) also do deals with several of the local hotels within walking distance to the boat. We'll be diving with them again about 3 weeks. Had a great time diving the Spiegel Grove and some other sites with them on our last trip to the Keys.

Dive Key Largo with BlueWater Divers.

 

[The Surly Mermaid]

I highly recommend Horizon Divers in Key Largo. Just dove with them in the last few days, and have dove with them several times over the past few years. They run a large catamaran out of the ocean side of the key, so the boat ride out is not as long. The boat has lots of room and is really stable if there are rough seas. Captian and crew are fantastic. They will book your room for you either at the Ramada (which is great cause you can walk to the boat) or the Holiday Inn (you can still walk but it's a tad bit farther). If you are doing multiple dives with them they have storage to keep your gear over night so you don't have to haul it back to the room. They also will give discounted rates for multiple trips.

Scuba Diving Key Largo Florida Diving Upper Keys Snorkeling

 

[terrillja]

Whe my dad and I went down to KL in march, we stayed in a condo owned by Becky (on here as speargirl), which was great. Full kitchen, 4 bedrooms, nice and clean. We dove with Conch republic, which was maybe 10-15 minute drive, and the entire crew there was great. Generally more advanced dives in the AM, more beginner/reef dives in the PM, nice big boat for lots of space and a smooth ride.

 

[KPAW]

Thanks to everyone who has posted! I have a few more places to consider now - all of which look interesting. For those of you who have stayed in that area before, are there any great places to eat (that maybe aren't total tourist traps)?

 

[Diver Kat]

This list is courtesy of Speargirl - it's part of her 'Sticky' at the top of the Florida section. I've been to a few of them - Denny's Latin cafe, Fish House ... but I plan to try some others off her list when we're there in a few weeks ....

This is not in Alphabetical order but here you go.

Whale Harbor "All you can eat" seafood and other stuff MM 83.3 664-9888 O/S water $$ 22

Braza Lena Steak House good food also but $ they keep bring you food also. MM83.3 664-4959 O/S water $$$ 26 and up

Lazy Days One of my favorite places O/S on water also awesome food and prices MM 79.9 664-5256 $6.00 and up

Fish House (Lobster Bisque) good food 10.00 and up MM102.4 451-4615

Su Cassa Very good food and nice place behind Sushi Nami nothing is in English on menu but they will help you. I took 4 kids from ages 8 - 13 plus myself it was only 52.00 with a 10.00 tip. We brought home food it was just to much. MM 99 ?#

Loreli B/S MM 82 664-2692 7.95 and up

Key Largo Coffee House Great food and people 6.00 and up MM100.2 451-4844

Cabana Breezes MM53.5 $$$$ 743-4849

Pilot House good food O/S water 451-3142

Latitudes MM50 $$ Entrees start at 14.99 nice place good food but very $$$ 743-2250

Snappers MM 94.5 O/S water 852-5956 10.00 up foods OK

Tower of Pizza OK it's pizza 451-1461

Docs Dinner MM100 451-2895 6A-2p Breakfast and Lunch only

The Mandalay MM 97.5 ?$$

Bentleys MM82.8 Raw Bar Plus 664-9094

Burger King / Wendys MM 100

Dennys Latin Cafe MM99 great food stays busy 6.00 and up 451-3665

DJ's Diner MM99.4 Breakfast and lunch only MM100 451-2999

There are alot of places to eat here in the Keys the ones I have eaten at and liked the food I made sure a noted it for you.

 

[Speargirl]

I do have lots of places to rent in Key Largo I also have a few Dive Ops here that I deal with that are willing to give out good rates on your dives. I can put together a package for you as far as lodging and dives I have discounts to some restaurants that I can also give you as well as deals with the spas here.
Becky