Review Key Largo Diving on Rainbow Reef

[chrisjur]

I'll be in FL in mid-July and giving Conch Republic a try for the first time. Hopefully at least one or two of the mooring balls are back in place by then. I would never hesitate to go with Horizon, however, since I have only had positive experiences with them on multiple trips to Largo.

As I have noted in the past, I love both Conch Republic and Horizon. When doing Spiegel Dives, I tend to prefer Horizon from the standpoint that it's a shorter boat trip out to the Spiegel. When diving Conch, you must first start from the south only to go quite north from that location. Not a dealbreaker, but something to note.

 

[Dan G]

As I have noted in the past, I love both Conch Republic and Horizon. When doing Spiegel Dives, I tend to prefer Horizon from the standpoint that it's a shorter boat trip out to the Spiegel. When diving Conch, you must first start from the south only to go quite north from that location. Not a dealbreaker, but something to note.

Thanks for the info. One reason I'm going with Conch is because they are closer to some of the other area wrecks I have been to far fewer times compared to the Spiegel. Also, I have never been with Conch Rep and wanted to give them a try.

 

[chrisjur]

Thanks for the info. One reason I'm going with Conch is because they are closer to some of the other area wrecks I have been to far fewer times compared to the Spiegel. Also, I have never been with Conch Rep and wanted to give them a try.

Makes sense. They are a first class operation. You’ll have a great time.

 

[MrChen]

EDIT: I just talked to the assistant GM at RR and he confirmed that no one is *required* to have a guide at any dive sites RR goes to.

After seeing this post Trip Report - Key Largo with Rainbow Reef, I decided to re-read my review and realized I missed replying to @Capt Jim Wyatt

We were asked if we wanted to follow a guide. We had never dove these sites before and said yes. This doesn't excuse pairing us up with air divers on AL80's and the short dive times. We were not originally aware until the last minute that we were with air divers. We questioned it and were told that's our group. After the dive, I questioned it again and was met with excuses. They didn't adjust the groups, that's on them.

Pickle Barrel dive, avg depth 18ft, was only 42 min long, including our safety stop. Knowing we weren't going to get full use out of a 120, we opted to use their al80's on this dive. Surfaced with 1800 pounds of air.

Conch Wall, average depth of 58 ft, including the safety stop, 34 minutes. Ended with 1500 pounds of air using my 120 (only started with 3k for some reason).

Spiegel Grove, we had a slow descent, took about 5 minutes to get everyone down. 15 min diving around, and 9 minutes to get the group to the surface up the rope. Total dive time, 29 minutes, avg depth 61ft, max depth 91. Since I was on a rental reg, I don't have my air pressure recorded in my dive log, but we had plenty.

If we were paired with the nitrox group, who dropped in first and were still on the wreck upon our group starting our ascent, we would have had more time to enjoy the dive. Or when we signaled to the dive guide that we'd like to join the other group (I pointed at myself and then pointed at them), he adamantly signaled for us to follow.

 

[chrisjur]

After seeing this post Trip Report - Key Largo with Rainbow Reef, I decided to re-read my review and realized I missed replying to @Capt Jim Wyatt

We were asked if we wanted to follow a guide. We had never dove these sites before and said yes. This doesn't excuse pairing us up with air divers on AL80's and the short dive times. We were not originally aware until the last minute that we were with air divers. We questioned it and were told that's our group. After the dive, I questioned it again and was met with excuses. They didn't adjust the groups, that's on them.

Pickle Barrel dive, avg depth 18ft, was only 42 min long, including our safety stop. Knowing we weren't going to get full use out of a 120, we opted to use their al80's on this dive. Surfaced with 1800 pounds of air.

Conch Wall, average depth of 58 ft, including the safety stop, 34 minutes. Ended with 1500 pounds of air using my 120 (only started with 3k for some reason).

Spiegel Grove, we had a slow descent, took about 5 minutes to get everyone down. 15 min diving around, and 9 minutes to get the group to the surface up the rope. Total dive time, 29 minutes, avg depth 61ft, max depth 91. Since I was on a rental reg, I don't have my air pressure recorded in my dive log, but we had plenty.

If we were paired with the nitrox group, who dropped in first and were still on the wreck upon our group starting our ascent, we would have had more time to enjoy the dive. Or when we signaled to the dive guide that we'd like to join the other group (I pointed at myself and then pointed at them), he adamantly signaled for us to follow.

I think that’s good clarification, thanks.

Bottom line: Not ideal circumstances to make for the most enjoyable dive experience. With a bit more thought, care and communication from the dive operator this could have gone in a more positive direction.