Florida Keys trip

[KomodoBob]

Hello all -

I should complete my OW certification this Labor Day weekend, and am already thinking about a trip to the Florida Keys in the near future. Any recommendations on particular locations for a new diver interested in marine life, reefs, and wrecks - roughly in that order?

I'll probably have my teenage daughter with me. Actually, I don't think I could get away without her, since she's the one who got me into this diving thing in the first place. We'd like to go before Christmas, but I have no idea what the weather and water are like that time of year.

Thanks for the input!

 

[mattengstrom]

We stayed at the Marriott on Key Largo. Nice place, but I wouldn't use the dive operator there again.

Weather can be cold. We had highs in the upper fifties/lower sixties, but were told that was unusually cold. But check weather reports before you go and be prepared. Water temps were in low to mid seventies, and it was pretty choppy on the ocean side of the island chain.

Definitely check out Frank Keys Cafe on Key Largo for dinner some night. Awesome place...

 

[inkabodpain]

hi & welcome to sb.

 

[Aquacatfighter]

Welcome aboard KomodoBob !

Dive safe!

Deb

 

[keyshunter]

for newly certified divers. If you are planning to stay around Key Largo all boats go to Pennecamp Park area which has some good reef diving and even a couple of shallow wrecks.
If you are planning on going farther, Looe Key, near Big Pine is a great trip for beginners.
Near Key West, there are many shallow sites with good reef and sea life diving--Western Sambo, Eastern Dry Rocks, Sand Key, etc.
All of the dive boats in KW use these sites.
Water temps in Dec. will usually be in the mid 70's.

 

[HarleyDiver]

Unless you want to do Key West for sightseeing reasons, there is not much point driving the extra 100 miles. There is all the diving you could want in Key Largo.

From snorkeling to shallow reef dives to deep wrecks. Lots of coral & critters.

What Key Largo does not have is the wild night-life of Key West.

I personally like using http://www.bluewaterdiver.net/

Two other good options are Horizon Divers & Ocean Divers. All three are on the same channel at MM100.

Weather in the winter is a toss-up. Water gets into 70's (that's cold for us natives) & daytime air temp can be anywhere from 50-80.

Good luck, dive safe.

 

[showboat]

When you get certified, I would recommend some shallow dives a few times before you go deeper, but then again down in the keys there is no need to go deep.

My recommendation would be to try www.abyssdive.com
I went with them in the beginning of July and would use them again with no hesitation. Capt Bill was great and knows the hot spots well.

When I was diving, I felt like I was in a aquarium even though I did not go deeper then 30 feet. It was a perfect day out.

The time you may plan on going, all you need is a 3mm or skins


Let us know how it went

 

[KomodoBob]

Only 24 hours since I posted my question, and already enough suggestions to keep me busy for hours!

Thanks for the information - the people on this board are great!

 

[Finnatic]

Good Luck on your certification dives this weekend