Key largo Dive vac.

[ft.lauderdale diver]

Please try and do a night dive..most of the night dives that the boats take you on are only 25-35 ft. The ocean truly is a different place at night---so many amazing things you don't see during the day. Don't come all this way from cold Michigan and pass up on this type of opportunity, especially b/c you're here for 8 days.
One thing to keep in mind is that salt water is different than lake water. It will affect your weight-- you may need to play around with your weight on the first couple of dives to make sure you're not over/underweighted. I use 7-8 lbs and I'm 5'9 180.
Enjoy your trip and do some research in regards to wrecks/reefs, etc that you want to see.

 

[NJ to FLA]

I totally agree about the night dive. You will LOVE it. I had a great time with Capt. Scotty and Atlantic Dive Center. (He is on this board as Capt Scotty and he works with Captain Slate). They ran a great trip to a shallow reef for a night dive and it was a blast! You will not be disappointed. Do not feel like a burden for your buddy. This will be a great vacation for you and if you talk to him/her before the dive (which you should do anyway) you will be fine! There are a lot of people on the board that I'm sure would love to dive with you. Enjoy your vacation

 

[Jupiter31]

A few years back, we doev and stayed there.

While there are other op's I would recommend, especially for a diver w/ more experience, you should have a good experience, as I found them competent, if the typical Keys "cattle boat" - and don't worry about your lack of experience; Key Largo offers beautiful shallow dive sites.

Your concern could be the weather - that time of year we often experience cold fronts that can bring strong wind and high seas - just depends on whats happening weather wise. Also, plan on water temps in the low 70's, so its not t shirt diving season.

I hope you have a week of calm seas - and no cold fronts - but be aware that you are in prime season for them, and unlike some other destinations, Key Largo diving is all 6 - 7 miles out in the Atlantic, w/ no "lee" to dive unlike some caribean destinations.

 

[MSPDiver]

Everyone starts out new and even the most expierenced diver can get nervous or worried at any point in the dive. Enjoy the keys, it is your vacation. If you are nice to people most will be nice back and if they are not then they don't share the spirit of diving. IF you want to do a night dive, Rainbow Reef has free guides on every trip. I just did two night dives in July and they were the highlight of the trip. As far as the deep wreck, I highly recommend finding a larger tank. 1. It will take the mental stress off of your breathing worries. 2. It will give you more confidence. 3. You can dive the SG and stay within the 60 70 foot range. Just remember current can be a big factor. Do over extend yourself. I have been going to keys now for four years faithfully. There is so much to see on the shallow reefs, that you don't even need to think about those deep wrecks. Highly recommend Elbow reef, City of Washington wreck, Benwood wreck, French reef, and Mo reef. This place is awesome. I also recomend Sharky's pub and Chillie Willies bar and grill in Islamorada. Have a great time.

 

[cloudswinger]

As for shore dives in the Keys, there are none, well not if you want to see anything other than sandy bottom, and sea grass.

I stayed at Amoray in 1997, so I don't know what the current state is, but it was a nice operation. We had some rough seas the last day, so we went on the lee side and snorkeled. Even though it's mostly sea grass, it's also where the juvenile fish hide out, and we saw plenty of baby cudas, sea horses and moon jellyfish.

 

[Pinto]

My 2 cents- I went to the Keys to meet up with an instructor on some AOW dives. The instructor was ill and unable to dive. I signed up with a dive boat for a wreck dive. The dive operator provided a master diver escort for me and a buddy. Considering never having dived in thoses waters before and explaining this to the dive operator, I found the dive boat crew to be very accomidating. Just explain your situation and ask for an escort on your first dives until you feel comfortable.

 

[RetMTFE]

Everyone has their "favorite" but IMO, pretty much all the dive operators in Key Largo are reputable. We stayed with Amoray for 3 days in July and had a blast.
If you have never been to the Keys before, go with an open mind. I see way too many posts of "first timers" slamming anything and everything. The locals have tried to keep things as natural as possible while still attracting visitors. If you're looking for a "resort" with big beaches, water slides, amusement parks and high end restaurants, the Keys IS NOT for you. If you want to dive, kick back and have a good time, then you picked the right place.

 

[KBeck]

I'm just going to echo Jupiter31--Feb. can be perfect diving, or it can be cold, blustery and rough waters.

While I see you're from Michigan and therefore, you're likely more able to deal with weather we call cold--be prepared for that 40/50 degree day to feel much, much colder than you think. A day out on the water, wetsuit on, and a long, bumpy ride back to shore can be truly miserable. (I've seen lifelong Canadians shivering and blue after days like that).

Check the forecasts before you head down--and if it looks to be a "cold front" (for us), do bring some warm clothes, and maybe a warmer wetsuit than you think you need.

Otherwise, have fun, don't worry too much--to me it sounds like you're already aware and willing to communicate well to others--I'd dive with you just by reading your posts here!

 

[JPAPPAS]

I'd like to say thanks to all of you - the responses are all great and extremely helpful. I'm glad as all of you being divers that you can see some of my concerns and as i thought you quickly put them to rest. As being new to this sport - as well as any there is a bit of nervousness involved - especially when you know that you could impact someones elses vacation. I'm heading off to an ohio quarry this weekend to get in a few more dives before the trip and to hone up on a few of my skills - thanks to everyone,

john

 

[Speargirl]

John I will be more than happy to buddy with you when you come down. I know the reefs and wrecks here and I am used to diving with new divers and experienced ones as well. Just let me know who and when and I will be there I also will not care if we only get a 30min dive in as I dive all the time and it's about you and for you to have fun here in the Keys:cool2:
Becky