This report is probably better for those that rarely, or have never, dove the Keys.
This was our (wife and I) first time in the Keys. Prior to our visit, I regularly read this board, and gathered some helpful info. Hopefully I can give a little back to help a few of you. If you see a "Tip:....", remember that bit of wisdom on your trip, you will thank me later.
For our first trip to the Keys, I was unsure of what to expect from the people, the food, the diving. Most reports said Key Largo had the best dive sites in the Keys, which, after discussion up and down the Keys, I now seem to agree with. Several good 25-45' reefs, numerous wrecks (the reason KL is probably best) and dozens and dozens of dive ops. Key Largo wreck sites seem to be spread out for about 15-20 miles, all about 4-5 miles from shore. I learned where a dive op is located can be an important fact in choosing an op. Some ops have bayside ports and can take up to 30 minutes to even reach the open water! Combine that with a slow moving boat and you can kiss an afternoon trip goodbye because you ain't getting back from the morning dive until 2:30.
TIP: Fast, 6-packs, located at the mile marker near your site can cut travel by over an hour, sometimes two hours.
Current was stronger on the deeper wrecks than anywhere I have ever seen it. One morning, on the Duane, it had the mooring balls almost underwater, probably running 2.5-3 knots, simply unsafe to dive in. At the Spiegel Grove, it was a little slower and we gave it a try. We were lucky, it was all surface current. We dove and had almost no current below 50'. I understand current, like viz, greatly changes.
TIP: Make sure you have a good Captain who will not "cancel" the trip or take you to a shallow reef just to get a dive in. Our's called around on the radio and got some reports on conditions.
I hate to blast certain dive ops and I will not name names but please, please, please check how long the owners/operators have been at that local. Just because it was a great shop a few years ago, it could change overnight. It seems some of the shops change hands every few years. Lady Cyanna, rated the 2nd best N.American Op by Rodales (Tip: those ballet-stuffed ratings are SO very bogus) isn't even in business. Know that Ops with only one boat may not be able to help you every time, because they may cater to the boat as a whole.
For two days, I dove with "Dive-In". The owners, Joe and wife Dawn, run a great little Op. Seems like they have been in business a little less than 2 years. Everything is new, from the EXTREMELY fast boat (twin outboard 220's, we cruised at 45mph!), loaded with brand new steel 80's. Like many new businesses, they went out of their way to help. Joe was nice enough to order food for us on the way in and the dockside grill had food ready when we arrived. Joe, also our Captain, seemed very knowledgeable about the dive sites and was willing to work with us on locations. He stored our gear each night. The office probably needs a little work but I never have dove from an office....
TIP: A few weeks out, check to see if you can have an Op book the type of diving you want to do, they can then fill the boat with others that want to dive like you. If they don't require a deposit, call a few days out and let them know you're really coming.
As for the food, up and down the Keys it was "OK". Best Key Lime Pie was at The Fish House in Key Largo. Food service, up and down the Keys, reminded me of any other Caribbean island... The best food I had was in a little side alley pizza kitchen about a block off Duval Street in Key West at about 3pm one night.... or so I seem to remember.
Would I go back, yes. I would probably spend a few more days in KW, I would dive the Duane more then the Spiegel Grove, and I would dive with Dive-In in Key Largo. I probably would get a room with a kitchenette.
This was our (wife and I) first time in the Keys. Prior to our visit, I regularly read this board, and gathered some helpful info. Hopefully I can give a little back to help a few of you. If you see a "Tip:....", remember that bit of wisdom on your trip, you will thank me later.
For our first trip to the Keys, I was unsure of what to expect from the people, the food, the diving. Most reports said Key Largo had the best dive sites in the Keys, which, after discussion up and down the Keys, I now seem to agree with. Several good 25-45' reefs, numerous wrecks (the reason KL is probably best) and dozens and dozens of dive ops. Key Largo wreck sites seem to be spread out for about 15-20 miles, all about 4-5 miles from shore. I learned where a dive op is located can be an important fact in choosing an op. Some ops have bayside ports and can take up to 30 minutes to even reach the open water! Combine that with a slow moving boat and you can kiss an afternoon trip goodbye because you ain't getting back from the morning dive until 2:30.
TIP: Fast, 6-packs, located at the mile marker near your site can cut travel by over an hour, sometimes two hours.
Current was stronger on the deeper wrecks than anywhere I have ever seen it. One morning, on the Duane, it had the mooring balls almost underwater, probably running 2.5-3 knots, simply unsafe to dive in. At the Spiegel Grove, it was a little slower and we gave it a try. We were lucky, it was all surface current. We dove and had almost no current below 50'. I understand current, like viz, greatly changes.
TIP: Make sure you have a good Captain who will not "cancel" the trip or take you to a shallow reef just to get a dive in. Our's called around on the radio and got some reports on conditions.
I hate to blast certain dive ops and I will not name names but please, please, please check how long the owners/operators have been at that local. Just because it was a great shop a few years ago, it could change overnight. It seems some of the shops change hands every few years. Lady Cyanna, rated the 2nd best N.American Op by Rodales (Tip: those ballet-stuffed ratings are SO very bogus) isn't even in business. Know that Ops with only one boat may not be able to help you every time, because they may cater to the boat as a whole.
For two days, I dove with "Dive-In". The owners, Joe and wife Dawn, run a great little Op. Seems like they have been in business a little less than 2 years. Everything is new, from the EXTREMELY fast boat (twin outboard 220's, we cruised at 45mph!), loaded with brand new steel 80's. Like many new businesses, they went out of their way to help. Joe was nice enough to order food for us on the way in and the dockside grill had food ready when we arrived. Joe, also our Captain, seemed very knowledgeable about the dive sites and was willing to work with us on locations. He stored our gear each night. The office probably needs a little work but I never have dove from an office....
TIP: A few weeks out, check to see if you can have an Op book the type of diving you want to do, they can then fill the boat with others that want to dive like you. If they don't require a deposit, call a few days out and let them know you're really coming.
As for the food, up and down the Keys it was "OK". Best Key Lime Pie was at The Fish House in Key Largo. Food service, up and down the Keys, reminded me of any other Caribbean island... The best food I had was in a little side alley pizza kitchen about a block off Duval Street in Key West at about 3pm one night.... or so I seem to remember.
Would I go back, yes. I would probably spend a few more days in KW, I would dive the Duane more then the Spiegel Grove, and I would dive with Dive-In in Key Largo. I probably would get a room with a kitchenette.
