Diving in Florida Keys?

[BKH]

Howdy all,
I will be in Key West Feb 10 to 18 and am looking forward to some warm water diving. I was just wondering if anyone had info/opinions on dive charters in the keys. I would like to dive some wrecks and reefs.
Thanks,
Bryan

 

[JRScuba]

Best I can recommend is www.silentworld.com . Their in Key Largo and used them a few times with no problems. :azvatar:

 

[DandyDon]

Saw where you joined SB a year ago, right? Other members here could better answer your questions if you posted your training levels and experience - maybe in your profile, or with your questions.

I went to Key Largo when I first got certified, as I'd read that it was a good place for a newbie to gain experience, and - found that to be compltely true. I've been back to The Keys several times with my AOW & Nitrox cards adding to those experiences. However, the dives I go for usually require AOW and recent deep dive experiences, so - not knowing where you stand here, I could not suggest anything speficically.

The Keys cover over a hundred miles of the Overseas Hiway, but the traffic is usally not bad, unless Key West is having a drive in gathering of some sort. Outbound can get hairy at the end of a summer weekend, but you'll be there during a slower period.

There are several dozen fine diver operators in The Keys, and hundreds of wonderful sites. But here's a good place to start reading...

http://www.fla-keys.com/

don

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Key West....

I wish I was there now...

 

[dtdiver]

what is the water temp in late jan?

i'm trying to get to key largo about jan 24/25 for three days

would you bring a dry suit or would a 5 mil with hood suffice?

dt

 

[DandyDon]

Here's a link to the NOAA Bouy system:

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

The Molasses Reef Bouy is showing:
Wind Direction (WDIR): ENE ( 60 deg true )
Wind Speed (WSPD): 6 kts
Wind Gust (GST): 7 kts
Atmospheric Pressure (PRES): 30.10 in
Pressure Tendency (PTDY): -0.05 in ( Falling )
Air Temperature (ATMP): 75.9 °F
Water Temperature (WTMP): 77.7 °F
(I keep this one on speed dial in my cell phone and call it for fun>>>!!)

I'd think a 3 mil should be enough - depending on your personal chilling factors, but if you go deep on a wreck, you may hit a thermo. With the air that cool, an after dive caps and warm liquid drinks will help.

don

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

The temperature of the water at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary today was 75° F

Visibility was 35-40 feet. Was another wonderful day of diving here in the Keys!!

:banana::banana:

 

[ScubaK-Dawg]

I used Paradise charters at MM 100 in Key Largo and I thought they were excellent.

 

[KeyLargoBrent]

what is the water temp in late jan?

i'm trying to get to key largo about jan 24/25 for three days

would you bring a dry suit or would a 5 mil with hood suffice?

dt

Plan on water temps in the low 70's. A 5mm full suit with hood should suffice. Enjoy!

 

[BKH]

Dandy Don,
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I have been diving for about a year and a half now and have AOW cert. We do lots of deep dives here in the Pacific Northwest (and cold!). I just read about the wreck Adolphus Busch and the Looe Key Nat'l Marine Sanctuary, so I think I will check both of those out and hopefully one or two days elsewhere. Sounds like Key Largo might be a good spot...