Key Largo dive sites, picks for new divers

[bradlw]

nope, I was wrong...not cheaper...but close!

Considering that RR includes tanks
+ adding all the various rental gear we'd need for everyone (I have some stuff so not renting full sets for everyone)

RR $655
Queissence $685 $729

I didn't include notrox in that, just air
and I didn't include wetsuits either. Some of us have our own but I'm thinking in early August we'll at most want a skin or shorty. I might just round up rashguards or skins for everyone. It's been a long time since I've been down there but I dove lots with no wetsuit in the summer

Also I'm guessing living high on the hog like that with a private boat will lend itself to a higher level of service....which means a bigger tip required for the crew????

The rental gear is the kicker. For folks that have all their own stuff, yeah teh way to go for sure!!!

 

[pickens_46929]

Means you have more control over where the boat goes... Captain absolutely has the last word but when you charter the boat... you can generally go where you want to go within reason... Carysfort for double dip? Yes please... Benwood and then City of Washington... sure, no problem.

 

[gamon]

Also I'm guessing living high on the hog like that with a private boat will lend itself to a higher level of service....which means a bigger tip required for the crew????

Tips are never required. If I'm basically ignored by the crew, and do my own thing I don't tip at all.

 

[bradlw]

The more I think about it, the more I like this private charter idea! I think I'm going to explore it. Thanks for the tip!!!

Tips are never required. If I'm basically ignored by the crew, and do my own thing I don't tip at all.

I hear ya! That's funny to me though because back when I was very active and proficient, I'd PREFER them to ignore me. Leaving me alone is a tippable performance! Well almost anyway.... I guess be close just in case, but I don't want them doing everything for me.

I still am that way, although this time around with four new divers in tow and me being very rusty, help for the family will be good so I can focus a little more on getting my own act back together.

Even with that, I think I'd prefer the kids to mostly do their own thing too so that they can learn.... maybe not so much for my wife. For her, it's different. She's not all that into it, and I want a really enjoyable first dive trip so that she'll not throw a wet blanket on planning future family dive trips

 

[Rae HalfTheHill]

@bradlw

As a captain for Rainbow, and given the prices you quoted for both outfits, I too would go with a private charter and Quiesence. Nothing beats having the boat entirely to your group! I've been out with them and they do a great job.

All operators out of Key Largo more or less have the same capacity to go to all of the same sites, most of which are nearly identical in depth. Conditions vary daily, but a lot of us captains are in a group chat and share that information as up to date as possible with each other.

I'd just communicate to the crew what you have communicated here and they will be able to more specifically cater to give you a great experience. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Johnoly]

Conditions vary daily, but a lot of us captains are in a group chat and share that information as up to date as possible with each other.

That's what we do also in West Palm & Jupiter. Find captains that talk to each other on the radio or in chats and those captains will put you on the very best dives. Because of the way the currents flow & wiggle, sometimes even just picking a dive site 1 mile away will double the visibility underwater.

 

[FreqFlier]

RR $655
Queissence $685 $729

For extra $15 pp it's a no brainer. Ask them for some tiny discount based on a multi day diving and there you go. Cattle boat experience is a good thing to miss.

 

[gamon]

For extra $15 pp it's a no brainer. Ask them for some tiny discount based on a multi day diving and there you go. Cattle boat experience is a good thing to miss.

Rainbow Reef isn't always a cattleboat experience. I've been on their boats when it's only a handful of divers. Sure they move a lot of divers but they do it with about a half dozen boats.

That much said, if I had enough divers I'd charter a private boat if the costs were similar. Mainly because I can pick and choose the sites.

 

[FreqFlier]

Mainly because I can pick and choose the sites.

That and a relative freedom of diving your air, not RR's clock.

 

[gamon]

That and a relative freedom of diving your air, not RR's clock.

I don't recall having to end any dives early due to RR's policies regarding bottom time.