Islamorada/Marathon recommendations?

[ageddiver]

Will be in the keys over a long presidents weekend (mostly in Key Largo) and thought about doing the Eagle, Sombrero reef, etc. while I'm there. Any recommendations for a charter boat in that area? Smaller boat preferred, and we don't need much attention - just a competent skipper.

 

[caymaniac]

Will be in the keys over a long presidents weekend (mostly in Key Largo) and thought about doing the Eagle, Sombrero reef, etc. while I'm there. Any recommendations for a charter boat in that area? Smaller boat preferred, and we don't need much attention - just a competent skipper.

It's been awhile, about 7 years, but what we did when we stayed in Marathon was went to the local dive shop and got our tanks and rented a 16ft.boat from the marina. We then drove the boat out to Somreo reef and hooked onto a bouy for divers. It was really quite simple and inexpensive. My dives were the first time I logged 2 hours on one tank. It's not that deep and we found enough to explore.
For other renown wrecks we used a number of different ops.

 

[deeper thoughts]

Will be in the keys over a long presidents weekend (mostly in Key Largo) and thought about doing the Eagle, Sombrero reef, etc. while I'm there. Any recommendations for a charter boat in that area? Smaller boat preferred, and we don't need much attention - just a competent skipper.

Check the florida conch forum tons of info

 

[joemdiver]

I dove with Key Dives in Islamorada (mm 79.8) on a long weekend in December. Mike and Marcia took real good care of us. Nice boat....good crew.

 

[mntdiver]

Captain Doug Morgan in Marathon. Have him take you to the Thunderbolt. You'll love this dive...

 

[Capt Gary]

The Eagle and Sombrero reef are both great dives. The family of Jew Fish on the Eagle are a true pleasure when spotted, as well as, the Moray Ells that live on the wreck. I'd also suggest you try to get a dive in on the Duane and Conch Reef while in the area. If you've never dove them they too would be worth the dive. We've even spotted some Bull Sharks on the Duane in the past few weeks.

Good Diving,

 

[HowardE]

Yeah... I saw 2 rather large bulls while I was descending the line to the duane last week.

Thanks for a great time Capt Gary (even though we didn't get to see you)

 

[tedwhiteva]

Will be in the keys over a long presidents weekend (mostly in Key Largo) and thought about doing the Eagle, Sombrero reef, etc. while I'm there. Any recommendations for a charter boat in that area? Smaller boat preferred, and we don't need much attention - just a competent skipper.

I recommend blue water divers at MM100 - keylargobrent is active on the board. They have 10 diver max. We dove with them on MLK weekend - great time, did a double dip on the Spiegel (you can do that now that its upright and still see stuff).

www.bluewaterdiver.net

 

[aquasport]

When you are in islamorada dive with diversity they are a great op.

 

[davisdiver]

Captain Doug Morgan in Marathon is my 4 star recommendation. I would avoid all dive shops in Big Pine Key. They are either rude or in my humble opinion incompetent