Key Largo-best resort/dive shop for newbies

[newbiescubie]

I know all y'all experienced divers (and experienced SCUBAsourcers) get this all the time, but here goes: I'm taking my first dive trip ever and I'm debating between Kelly's on the Bay and Rainbow Reef (w/Tropical Reef Resort). I'm leaning toward Kelly's after having read some horror stories about Tropical Reef Resort, but am interested in your opinions. Basically, being a newbie (and, I'll be honest, going on the trip for my hubby's sake--he's also a newbie), I'm trying to find the best, most complete package of resort and beginning dives. He's game to get certified, I'm thinking I might want to stick with the resort level baby stuff.

Okay, that's it. Have at, and thanks!

 

[cudachaser]

In Key Largo...I have taken many OW classes and advanced divers. Always have excellant responses from the students on how they were treated by Ocean Divers. I rank them a 10. They also have excellant hotel packages at Marina del Mar, Holiday Inn or Port Largo Villas

 

[seadog]

fine for beginners if you want to save a buck.

 

[raviepoo]

I've been there three times. Some of my earliest dives were done there. I think it's a fine resort for beginners. The place is set up to make it easy for you to dive. There is a large, locked gear storage area close to the dock where you can leave your gear between dives. There are wheelbarrows for you to use to haul your geal between the gear locker and the boat. Several rinse tanks and a garden hose are available at the dock to rinse your gear after your dives. If you do the AM boat and the PM boat they will call in a lunch order to Hobos right next door (Great fish sandwiches) and have it waiting for you to pick up.

Kelly's instructors will be happy to do your husband's check out dives. I did my Nitrox check out dives there a few years ago and I was very happy with my instructor, Russ.

The people who work at Kellys are great - always very patient and friendly.

You won't do any advanced diving off of the Aquanuts boat, but Kelly's provides a great introduction to the joys of scuba for a newbie.

 

[newbiescubie]

thanks for the info--hoping to get more from other posters, too! Looking into Horizon now. Anyone have any thoughts on them? Have been looking at scubawife's post (thanks, SW!)

Say, anyone else going to be in the Keys 4/27 - 5/2?

 

[raviepoo]

Diving with Tavernier Dive Center. Going back to the Duane if the weather gods smile on us. I'm so psyched!!!



I dove the speigel grove with Horizon Divers last November. I have no complaints. Surface intervals were long enough. They gave us a good dive briefing. They let me keep my stuff in their locker overnight and even mailed one of my fins back to me in New York when I told them that I had left it behind.

I can't really tell you whether they're a a good operation for a newbie because I had lost my newbie perspective by the time I dove with them.

 

[Reeflover]

Check into Blue Water Divers at www.bluewaterdiver.net. These guys are top notch, run a smaller uncrowded operation and you get alot of personalized attention from the instructor and crew. They also offer package rates with most of the local hotels.

I find most newbie diver relatives/friends feel very comfortable with them.



Reeflover

 

[ivansie]

I will support that bluewaterdiver post also. You should check them at least for the diving, I dont know about the resort/hotel situation with them. We have been out with them twice (last time yesterday) and dont have one single complain. We are putting a group together to go out and do the SG with them probably in june (the water still too cold for my wife...)

I cannot say anything about training because we did our certification up in Ft lauderdale with prodive

Anyhow, we are the type of people that prefer smaller more personalized boats so they fit our profile.

You should check several operations, run some numbers and read a lot of posts so you can get a better feeling of what to expect from each one.

bye
ivan=-)

 

[deanmartin]

I'm from Southern California but I travel to Miami about once a month on business. On each trip I spend a few days diving in the Key Largo area. I have used 5 different dive operators. The one I prefer is Atlantis Divers.

Hope you have a good trip.

 

[Scuba Duffer]

Blue Water Divers all the way!!!