diving west palm

[GERRY2153]

Hi all
After a week in sunny south florida (w palm and the keys) I have returned to the (wonderful) rain of the pacific northwest. Although they dive conditions were far from what I had hoped for, due to some rather heavy ocean conditions, we finally did get some dives in. Needless to say I can’t wait to return.

I must pass on a recommendation for anyone looking to dive in the west palm area, Pura Vida Divers… excellent excellent excellent, they are not the biggest around, but they went out of their way to make the experience the best possible, great briefing before and after, snacks, drinks, dry towels… A big up to Trevor and Graham

On the other side, :blahblah:
Ocean Divers out of Key Largo …. Not a good experience ….. at least for us….

Great place to visit…., not sure that I could live there, but a great destination

C-ya
Gerry

 

[bobert]

Next time in Key Largo try Horizon Divers, across the canal from Ocean Divers, while I dive both I would highly recomend Horizon. Also I hear lots of good things about Blue Water Divers just up the canal. Also the last time I stayed down there for a couple of days I was suprised that I was able to get the Westin Key Largo for $59\night on priceline.com.

I also just did my first Palm Beach trip about 3 weeks ago and I found it to be very enjoyable.

 

[Hoya97]

Hi,

Living in Florida gives me an excellent opportunity to sample a number of dive operations throughout the state. When in West Palm, I tend to go with Kohler's Reef out of Riveria Beach. Three dives, listen to what the divers want to do and just all around, great operation.

I have heard positive things about Abernathys as well, although I Haven't yet dove with them.

If you haven't made prior arrangements and just want to get on a boat, try Diving Solutions. Their boats tend to be crowded (a head boat) but you usually don't need reservations and can just show up.

Regarding Key Largo - sorry to hear about your Ocean Diver experience. I had a lot of great dives with them. I would recommend that if you encounter less than stellar service, speak to the manager - trust me, competition is so tight that a bad word from someone like you in a forum like this is felt on the bottom line!

Another dive operation in Key Largo that we like is "Its A Dive" at the Marriott. They issue you a five trip punch card so you don't have to do all five trips in a single visit. They are very knowledgable and helpful as well. Especially Capt Tom! He's a riot and knows when to keep his mouth shut when dealing with more experienced divers.

Well, that's my 2 cents worth. Hope someone finds it helpful.

 

[Falconer]

I found the opposite to be true, I thought horizon had great
personnel in the office but those on the boat didn't seem as
accomodating. I've enjoyed ocean divers every time out and
find their crew more to my liking. I base my opinion on not
the obligatory gestures they must show, but the actual concern
and services they provide the divers.


Kevin Falconer Fort Myers, FL

 

[rjdiver]

I loved my dive experience with Horizon Divers last June. The captain had just moved over from Amoray Divers and was very hospitible and personable. The crew was the same. I would definitely go back with them when I get back to Key Largo.

At West Palm, I dove with Coral Island Charters. They were very nice, but they ran out of dry towels. I don't usually use one, so it was no big deal. I would probably go back with them again.

Rob

 

[dive4funOften]

I heard Coral Island is under new ownership. I like the fact that they require everyone to have a sausage! Good idea on a drift dive!

 

[FLArmyBrat]

Gerry...

I have to back you up on your wonderful review of Pura Vida! We dove with them this past weekend and it was a great experience. They are about a year and a half old and owned by younger but smart people therefore they are looking to get our business and doing a great job of it. They put a DM in the water for us newbies (Susan showed us a bunch of great stuff), and the boat is very easy to get back onto. Anything you might need is taken care of. My SO and I will be taking a bunch of classes with them in the very near future and its an almost 2 hour drive for us and we consider the distance well worth it. We've developed a nice freindly relationship with Trevor and the staff there. Yes its still a business, but they make you forget that at times and I like that.

Just a side note about them...they along with another charter, SS Minnow, organized a clean-up (both in and out of the water) at Phil Foster park (where they dock). 300+ lbs of trash was collected. Cudos to Trevor and the staff from both charters for the effort and I look forward to trash picking with them again soon.

If fldivejunie reads this she will back it up as well. Pura Vida is her carter of choice in WPB!!



Pura Vida

Laurel- The Frog Queen
:royal:

 

[fldivejunkie]

If fldivejunie reads this she will back it up as well. Pura Vida is her carter of choice in WPB!!

You would be correct. It's not that other charters in the area aren't good, it's that Pura Vida goes the extra mile to make sure the trip is worth it. The captain and crew are exceptionally competent, as well as entertaining. They always have a DM in the water with you, not as the scuba police, but for the extra safety - besides, they know where all the really cool stuff is!

 

[Mverick]

Dove with Abernathy's during DEMA. They were great. Even saved our spot when I game them my wrong cell number. We showed up. Thinking they didn't call but had a trip. And they were worried about us....LOL...

Great people. Put a DM in the water on all dives. Do your thing or follow them. Great people to dive with on the boat too. Definately liked West Palm.

DM was pretty too. She was from Tennessee. Lorna I think. Real sweetheart. She invited us to go to dinner with them after the dive too. Just great people...


Rick