Diving in Key Kargo end of May

[kwinter]

I’m tired of seeing just about every thread of “where to dive in Key Largo”

That's why this one is different. It's about Key Kargo.


Please pardon any typos. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sportxlh]

I’m tired of seeing just about every thread of “where to dive in Key Largo” being filled by the Rainbow fan-boy club. They aren’t that good. No one who smashes that many divers on one boat is any good. So why all the recommendations?.

Exactly how many times have you been out with Rainbow reef, Conch or Silent World to know they are no good?

Second; this operation is the 180 opposite of what the OP was looking for. Why all the recommendations for an operation that is NOT what they’re looking for?.

A guide was another criteria: you suggested Quiescence which does not provide guides (180 degrees opposite of what the OP was looking for). Others suggested a big boat that provides guides: exactly what is the difference? Oh yeah, the others didn't dis anyone elses opinion: they just shared their opinion.

You say they’re “seldom” filled with divers- every time I’ve seen them they are packed on like sardines. And the OP is going at the end of May; i.e. Memorial Day weekend. Every diver who has a c-card will be flocking down to there. Those boats will be packed full of vacation divers.?.

That comment was about Conch and came from direct experience, including holidays. I've done about 50/60 dives with them over the past few years and have only had a completely full boat a couple of times: even then it didn't feel crowded given the wide beam.

And how is a double dip on a deep wreck any good? It’s cheap for the dive operation; they don’t have to move the boat. And since they’re still required to be back at the same time, your short surface interval means that second dive is going to be really short. This isn’t “unique”, it’s a cost saving ploy foisted on unsuspecting divers who don’t think beyond “neat-o!”

I don't think one can see the S. Grove in a single dive: or any of the deep wrecks in the keys. Unless one goes to the sand, one can get a plenty long 2nd dive after a 45-60 minute interval. I've done it many times on various Keys wrecks and do it several times a month in Jupiter on similar depth wrecks and reefs.

I resent the implication that my post was rude or nasty. Saying that I need “manners school” just shows that yours may be lacking as well.!

When you question someone's motivations and suggest an operator had to buy a SB'ers opinion and the opinions were not freely given, that's simply nasty and rude: however, I'll admit my comment about 'manners school' was rude and mean spirited too. Next time, just give your opinion on an operator you like and/or discuss an operator that you've experienced and don't like. But don't question SB'ers motivations for posting their opinions.

 

[reefman]

I’m tired of seeing just about every thread of “where to dive in Key Largo” being filled by the Rainbow fan-boy club. They aren’t that good. No one who smashes that many divers on one boat is any good. So why all the recommendations?

Second; this operation is the 180 opposite of what the OP was looking for. Why all the recommendations for an operation that is NOT what they’re looking for?

You say they’re “seldom” filled with divers- every time I’ve seen them they are packed on like sardines. And the OP is going at the end of May; i.e. Memorial Day weekend. Every diver who has a c-card will be flocking down to there. Those boats will be packed full of vacation divers.

And how is a double dip on a deep wreck any good? It’s cheap for the dive operation; they don’t have to move the boat. And since they’re still required to be back at the same time, your short surface interval means that second dive is going to be really short. This isn’t “unique”, it’s a cost saving ploy foisted on unsuspecting divers who don’t think beyond “neat-o!”

I resent the implication that my post was rude or nasty. Saying that I need “manners school” just shows that yours may be lacking as well.


And to the OP: I didn’t notice it before, but I’d avoid Scuba Do. They seem to have a high rate of dive accidents and fatalities.

bold talk from someone that doesn't have all the facts. 10 divers max on their(rainbow reef) 30FT island hopper(coast guard rated for 18 divers). observed the tropical explorer this AM drifting deep molasses with a (free)guide and 6-7 divers just a mooring ball away from us. by the way, great insight; Monroe county is jammed above and below the water on any holiday and most weekends for that matter,,,,,,,,,,,



reefman
key largo

 

[T.C.]

bold talk from someone that doesn't have all the facts. 10 divers max on their(rainbow reef) 30FT island hopper(coast guard rated for 18 divers). observed the tropical explorer this AM drifting deep molasses with a (free)guide and 6-7 divers just a mooring ball away from us. by the way, great insight; Monroe county is jammed above and below the water on any holiday and most weekends for that matter,,,,,,,,,,,



reefman
key largo

More talk from the Rainbow cattle-boat fanboy club. Have you seen the OTHER boats in their fleet?!? 30 and 26 diver cattleboats.

And 10 divers is still cramped on an Island Hopper, with their central engine mount.

Exactly how many times have you been out with Rainbow reef, Conch or Silent World to know they are no good?

I don’t have to. I can see their boats and know what results. How many trainwrecks have you been in to know that they’re no good?

I don’t enjoy being jammed in with 30 other divers, three crew, and running so heavy the gunwale looks like its awash. I don’t enjoy waiting 10 minutes to launch and recover 20 divers before I get my chance, nor the underwater thundering herd experience, or having this many people stepping over, around, and next to my cameras and gear.

I can tell you these companies do not provide as good an experience as the smaller charters in the Keys.

A guide was another criteria: you suggested Quiescence which does not provide guides (180 degrees opposite of what the OP was looking for). Others suggested a big boat that provides guides: exactly what is the difference? Oh yeah, the others didn't dis anyone elses opinion: they just shared their opinion.

This is not true. Quiescence DOES provide a guide, if you pay; just like EVERY other dive operation in the Keys.

That comment was about Conch and came from direct experience, including holidays. I've done about 50/60 dives with them over the past few years and have only had a completely full boat a couple of times: even then it didn't feel crowded given the wide beam.

Every time I’ve seen them, and this 84 dives in the Keys over three years; they’re packed in like sardines. Memorial Day weekend? Be exactly like this again.


I’ve been on Newton boats in PCB. They get crowded with 15 people on them. 30 is outrageous.

I don't think one can see the S. Grove in a single dive: or any of the deep wrecks in the keys. Unless one goes to the sand, one can get a plenty long 2nd dive after a 45-60 minute interval. I've done it many times on various Keys wrecks and do it several times a month in Jupiter on similar depth wrecks and reefs.

No, and you won’t see it on two dives either. I’ve dove it 6 times, and not seen all of it. Your “plenty long 2^nd dive will be no more than 15 minutes, max, and that’s on 32% EAN.

This is nothing more than a scam to attract divers while saving money. Last time I was in the Keys another diver asked for this, and this was the EXACT reason the operation gave for not doing these trips. You’re being ripped off; that’s what is ‘unique’.

When you question someone's motivations and suggest an operator had to buy a SB'ers opinion and the opinions were not freely given, that's simply nasty and rude

That’s my opinion. And I stand next to it. What do these dive operations do that is “good”; i.e. different from the other operations? Answer: NOTHING!

They’re all about maximizing profits by jamming in vacation divers and releasing the thundering herd underwater; not in giving you a quality experience.

Next time, just give your opinion on an operator you like and/or discuss an operator that you've experienced and don't like. But don't question SB'ers motivations for posting their opinions.

Next time, don’t get bent out of shape over an opinion.