Diving in the Keys?

[psinyc]

We were looking to go down to the keys mid-May 2003, preferrably, Key West. We are staying with family up north (Palm Beach area) for a couple days, but we will have ~3 days to dive during the week. Does anyone have any suggestions on:

1) What Key to visit (West, Largo, etc.)
2) What operator to use (hopefully, reef and wreck sites)
3) Nice place to stay for the 2-3 nights (doesn't have to be a 5-star hotel, but not a dump either!)
4) Are there any shore dives you can recommend, or are they all mostly boat dives?
5) How is the viz during May generally?

Thanks a lot in advance ...

 

[divedude]

We like Big Pine Key.
It's 30 miles from Key West, a quick drive without Key West prices.
Not as crowded as Key Largo.
Good wreck dive the Adolphus Busch reef's are in better condition than Key Largo I think
We rent a boat at Jay Bird's Boat rentals With the 3 of us it's cheaper per day than a charter

We love staying at Ed & Ellen's Lodgings as good a price as most motels. Water at your back door, and great people to deal with.

I have gone diving with Looe Key dive centre Good deal, But that's the only one I have gone with. I discovered the boat rental place after that.

Have been in all the Keys but last 4 years have gone back to Big Pine Key We love it there. Close enought to Key West to Party.
You have to go to Key West to Party!!!

 

[Bob3]

I spend about a month on Big Pine every year as well, but my interest is the bug diving.
Looe Key is an excellent place to go to critter geek.
Shore diving choices are pretty limited, I like to hit the bridges every now & then but the currents can get pretty brisk during tide changes.
There are some decent places to dive around Ft Lauderdale/West Palm beach too.
Viz is going to be up to the wind, in general May isn't real bad.

 

[KeyLargoBrent]

of Ed & Ellens. They also have inexpensive accommodations here in Key Largo ('tho they're not on the water). If I had just three days to dive in South Florida, I'd shoot for Looe Key, Key Largo, and West Palm. If the wind is blowing, I'd probably forego diving Looe Key, and spend another day in Key Largo, as the upper keys tend to have better viz when it's windy.

If anybody's done a good shore dive in the Keys, I'd love to hear about it. I've dived the bridges for bugs, and the currents are ripping! For shore diving, I like Commercial Pier in Lauderdale by the Sea, just north of Fort Lauderdale.

Be safe, have fun, and never stop learning!

 

[blawler1]

For topside attractions, don't miss Key West as it is the party capital of the Keys. Doing the Duval crawl is a mandatory ritual.

For diving, hit Key Largo as it offers a wide selection of diving such as Molasses reef, French reef and the wrecks (SG, Duane, Benwood). The Holiday Inn/Ramada complex at MM 100 on the marina is a good value as they are located in the marina with several good dive operators and are convenient to stores, restraurants and clubs.

 

[raxafarian]

why stay in a hotel when you can rent a condo for the same price, or cheaper.


Ocean pointe suites in Tavernier can be found for right around 100/night. 1 or 2br. We just rented a 2 br condo at moon bay (in Key Largo) for 690/wk (during high season). Not that we used the kitchen for anything other than snacks... but it's nice to have the separate br, washer/dryer, etc.

Ocean point is pretty much all ocean views. Moon bay has some bay views. Both have docks if you bring or rent your own boat. Ocean point can be rented like a hotel... do a search on google. Moon bay is all privately rented (again, do a search).

I've been very happy with Divers City . They are in the process of moving to Tavernier.

I've only tried 2 other ops, and they were both average.

If you're qualified, don't miss the Bibb (the sand is at 135ft)

Never been to Key west... no interest in partying... just interested in diving.

 

[WreckWriter]

raxafarian once bubbled...
Never been to Key west... no interest in partying... just interested in diving.

Key West is like San Francisco but on an island, very crowed and very weird.

WW

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Take a look at www.reef-divers.com

We run a small 6 pack boat 21 miles from Key West.

For motels/Hotels look at: http://reef-divers.com/accom.htm

 

[100days-a-year]

Thanx CaptJim now everyone will know how good the diving is in the lower keys and some pressure can be taken off the Key Largo areaIt's just that I really like how uncrowded the lower keys are after mid-August.We stay on Little Torch and rarely have 3 boats within a mile .The vis is good,lotsa animals at Looe Key and the Busch is the worlds easiest 100' wreck dive.As Bob3 mentioned there are bugs there too.People are a lot less weird than KW too.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Theres two things in Key West i never want to see again:

One, a 6'6" tall guy with pink hair, a miniskirt, unshaved legs, and bright pink lips, silver eyelashes...

Two: His 5'11" boyfriend...


Still haunted by that, and it was five years ago...

Dive up in Big Pine, and stay away from Key West!!!