Diving the Spiegel Grove & Onward to Key West

[NJScubaDoc]

Looking at taking a Road Trip down FL way between 12/26 and 1/7 and am looking for some advice.

I'd definitely like to do a few dives on the Spiegel Grove, what kind of conditions can I expect this time of year? Any boat recommendations? Are there any tech shops? Any recommendations on where to stay in Key Largo?

Eventually I'll be moving on to Key West, and again am looking for suggestions for diving (prefer non-cattle boats if such a thing exists) and where to stay, eat, drink, party and be merry.

Thanks!

 

[DMDavid]

Expect air temperatures to be extremely cold during that time of year, I would say somewhere around high 70's to lower 80's at best.

There's going to be many different opinions to this question of yours so I'll start off by giving you my favorite place to stay (Amy Slates Amoray Dive Resort, Key Largo).

For wrecks in Key Largo I like the Spiegel Grove and the Duane for the deep portion and Christ of the Abyss for shallow and picturesque.

 

[sportxlh]

For Tech shops/boats, check out Conch Republic and Silent World.
Conch Republic Divers
Silent World Dive Center
They do plenty of non-tech diving/trips as well.


Marine conditions can vary significantly in December, sometimes flat calm and sometimes nasty bad with all trips being cancelled. My first dive on the Spiegle Grove was a double dip in December a few years ago and we had 2-4 waves but with very short intervals: sort of soupy. The trip out and back was not an issue, but while I was fine, some of the divers felt a little green during the surface interval as we bounced around in the boat tied to a mooring line. We recorded water temps in the low 70's and air temps were also in the 70's. A fleece windbreaker is a good idea for winter diving.

I've had good luck renting a condo @ Ocean Pointe.............. Key Largo Hotels & Resorts | Ocean Pointe Suites | Tavernier & Florida Keys Oceanfront Resorts

In Key West, Duval Street is where the action is. Plenty of taverns and places to eat.

 

[bilsant]

... what Sportxlh said. Conditions vary and while I get away with a 3mil plus a 2mil vest (I'm naturally insulated), I've been on Keys dives in December where folks around me seemed quite cold in a 5mil - so if you have a 7mil, don't be shy about bringing it along.

I do my surface intervals in a windbreaker and watch cap.

I've never had anything but fantastic experiences with Conch Republic, and when you get to Key West check out Captain's Corner Dive Center for the obligatory Vandenberg dive.

If road tripping, you might even want to use an extra day to catch a beach dive in Pompano, the marvelous muck (think amazing macro critters) diving at Blue Heron Bridge, a pelagic animal dive in Jupiter, or for sheer goofy fun a trip to Crystal River to snorkel with the manatees.

Enjoy your vacation.

 

[YaseminDalkilic]

Hi all,
Here is a video we shot at the Spiegel Grove in the last few months. The narration, of course together with the visuals should summarize the conditions and what to expect there.
Freediving the Spiegel Grove - The Amazing Dives of the World - Wrecks - YouTube
Regards,
Yasemin Dalkilic

 

[scubadada]

Hi NJScubaDoc,

I am not local so my experience is limited. I have about 20 dives on the Spiegel Grove and the same number on the Duane. Ocean Divers is extemely reliable transportation out to these wrecks. Big boats but have many fewer divers off peak. They will take out 2 divers on any trip. I have gone out to the Duane on Sunday afternoon on several occasions with just 2 divers, a real treat. They will also dive these wrecks whenever the conditions are acceptable, I trust their judgement. There are many, many good operators in Key Largo, I can only relate my experience.

I generally stay at the Holiday Inn Express just up from Ocean Divers, inexpensive stay with good breakfast available. I often eat at the Galley above the famous/infamous Sharkeys Pub on the 1st floor below Ocean Divers and next door to Dick Rutkowski's Hyperbarics International.

No doubt you will have a great time, best,

Craig