Hello all! (first post) Coming down to the Keys

[Reeferhead]

Hello everyone,

The wife and I haven't dove in about 4 years but we've made a pact to take two trips a year from here on out. I don't "do" cold water so local quarry diving has never been a option. We're going to take a refresher course later this year. In order to solidify the deal, I went ahead and bought tickets for the two of us to fly down for 5 days the end of Febuary, Southwest had a pretty good deal going ($200 round trip direct from STL) concidering the recent fuel hikes. We also plan on taking a week long trip to Cozumel or Roatan before I deploy to Afganistan next fall.

I'm not new to forums (I'm addicted to Reefcentral, a reef aquarium site) so I've utilized the search feature a little on where to stay and who to dive with. However, I'd appreciate any further infomation you could give on other things to do on the trip. Any must see place to see, eat, or party at? We're young a little on the adventurous side.

We plan on two days of diving in the upper keys and two days of "whatever" in Key West. Any recomendations on reasonable places to stay in Key West, any "Speargirlesque" condos there?

Thanks, Nick

 

[deepstops]

Let me just say this, that's an interesting play on words with your screen name :14:

For Key Largo, I'd use Silent World. For Islamorada/Tavernier, I'd use Rainbow Reef or Conch Republic. For Key West, I wouldn't waste my time diving there but if you do, Captain's Corner runs a good operation although their boat gives "giant stride" a whole new meaning.

 

[Reeferhead]

Let me just say this, that's an interesting play on words with your screen name :14:

For Key Largo, I'd use Silent World. For Islamorada/Tavernier, I'd use Rainbow Reef or Conch Republic. For Key West, I wouldn't waste my time diving there but if you do, Captain's Corner runs a good operation although their boat gives "giant stride" a whole new meaning.

Its also my ReefCentral handle, I registered back in college I was actually surprised it was still available.

Anyway, we don't plan on diving Key West, just partying and any other trouble we can get ourselves into, but not too much, were not in college anymore

 

[Scubastud16]

I think he was commenting along the lines of "Mary Jane" if ya know what I mean. Deepstops has got it. A good "fancy diver" dive op in Key Largo is It's a Dive. By that I mean that they will do a lot for you, including tank your tank off, put a new one in, etc. Some like it, some don't.

Enjoy your stay, and thanks for your service!

Danny

 

[Reeferhead]

I think he was commenting along the lines of "Mary Jane" if ya know what I mean. Deepstops has got it. A good "fancy diver" dive op in Key Largo is It's a Dive. By that I mean that they will do a lot for you, including tank your tank off, put a new one in, etc. Some like it, some don't.

Enjoy your stay, and thanks for your service!

Danny

Yeah, there was a time in my life when the handle truly had a duel meaning, alas no more. No worries, I just get my "highs" in other ways now.

I'm definately not a "fancy diver." I haven't had alot of dives but setting up my rig would be something I would want to handle myself, in the end I'm diving it.

Any lodging recommendations for Key West?

 

[fishdelasol]

For our Wedding/Honeymoon we stayed at the Chelsea House which is part of a group of inns called historickeywestinns.com.

Each morning there were bagels and muffins set out poolside with a cute baby rooster that begged for food. It was located on the southern end of the island which made it about a 20-30 minute walk to main part of Duval St. We rented bicycles to get around. There are places all over the island for mopeds and bikes.

Our family and friends stayed at various other places on the island. Merlin Guesthouse and the Key Lime are both part of the Historic KW Inn group. Merlin was more upscale and Key Lime was a basic KW style room, but no complaints from any family about them.

Another place was the Crown Plaza-LaConcha. The location is right on Duval by all the fun! It's style is a tropical hotel and not a KW inn...it just depends on what you are looking for. They have a great pool area and bar.

While you are there you should eat at Blue Heaven! It is so Key West and so delicious! We also had a great experience on the Sunset Sail with Danger Charters. They served several varieties of wine and beer with snacks. It wasn't crowded, they served bottled wine, coronas-heinikens, and worth every penny.

Have fun!

 

[fishdelasol]

Also, where is near St. Louis? My husband and I lived in Jeff City for a year....then we moved back to sunny FL! We missed the beach.

 

[Reeferhead]

Thanks for the tips, I'll check it out.

We live on the east side of the river, just north of O'Fallon, IL. I'm gradually moving my wife further south, we started near Chicago. At this rate we should be down by you guys when I'm about 85

 

[Speargirl]

NO NO your doing it all wrong This is what you do... go on vacation in the Keys take one day go out and get a job (good paying job) than wait for your wife to say on the last night your here Oh honey I wish we didn't have to leave than spring it on her that she dos'nt have to. Break the news that you got a job and your moving to the Keys. Put your house up for sell move your stuff down here, when your house sells buy one here. Taaa...daaaa Your in.
I went on vacation in July 2002 and look at me I'm still here.LOL

 

[User0559]

Book your diving in Key West with Southpoint Divers and mention crazyboutdiving sent you for a discount. Don't bother with anyone else, I've tried them all in Key West.
Have fun.