Question Key Largo in Early Dec for new diver. Are heavy currents common?

[Chrisk919]

Hi all,

My (24 y/o) son has finally decided that all this diving stuff the old man has gotten back into looks fun and he's getting certified.

So I was thinking after he gets certified and we do a couple more warmup dives in the local quarry (probably the same one he'll be certified in by end of Oct.) we should go somewhere with some nice shallow dives to get him experience, and get comfortable with diving.

My first thought was Key Largo:

• Warm water
• Pretty fish
• Decent coral
• Shallow dives

His PTO is "use it or loose it" which is one of the reasons we're looking in December, but also to get him experience so when the season finally "opens" in early summer of NC we can get him his AOW with more than 4 dives under his belt, and so we can go on more varied diving trips in 2025.

I know some of the risks for winter weather and possibly getting blown out a couple days of the week (or more, yes it's a gamble), and possibly a rough ride in some higher seas even getting to the shallow reefs.

My only question is regarding strong currents in the winter.

I remember a dive I did myself on Dry Rocks (checked the logs - Jan 17, 1994) where there was a ripping southerly current there and it looked like it was snowing because of all the sand/particulates in the water. My insta-buddy and I decided to try and swim north one buoy to the Christ of the Abyss statue, but needless to say we aborted. I'd hate to have every dive of the week be like that for a newly-certified diver.

I've searched here, and other than @Johnoly's reply in a thread regarding the Boca->Hollywood area ('Currents - Shore Diving - seasonal?') I've not seen a lot of mention of winter currents being excessive. Luckily the King high tide's are listed as mid-December and we were looking at the first week of Dec, so we're avoiding currents that might be happening then.

I can't say I've done enough KL winter diving to know if high currents are "normal" in the season?
Anyone have any experience one way or the other?

--Chris

 

[The Chairman]

It's dicier in the winter, but not much. You'll probably fine if no winter storm comes your way. Enjoy!

 

[Kimela]

The Keys in the winter aren’t necessarily ‘warm’ water diving (for me - but I’m a baby). In the winter it can be a little surgey for me also. But I’m 64 and like things easy, so as they say ‘your mileage may vary’, and your son probably won’t notice the extra work of surge or the cool water. If you get weathered out there are plenty of good restaurants, and a Divers Direct to spend all your money.

 

[FishWatcher747]

You will probably be fine but if the boats aren't going out for a few days because a weather system comes through just drive to Blue Heron Bridge on the Intercoastal on Singer Island and dive near High Tide. Maximum depth about 25 feet.

The 30 foot reefs in Key Largo and BHB are perfect for a beginner gaining confidence.

Most destinations one goes to have no backup plan for bad weather. South Florida does.

Dive Blue Heron Bridge - Phil Foster Park

www.puravidadivers.com

 

[Chrisk919]

The Keys in the winter aren’t necessarily ‘warm’ water diving (for me - but I’m a baby).

Oh I get it. I used to say that when I lived in Florida.. Right along with "I'll never live anywhere it snows".. But then work dragged me north and my blood has apparently thickened considerably over the last 30 years, and now 71 at depth is "oooh warm summer temps", lol.

 

[Chrisk919]

You will probably be fine but if the boats aren't going out for a few days because a weather system comes through just drive to Blue Heron Bridge on the Intercoastal on Singer Island and dive near High Tide. Maximum depth about 25 feet.

The 30 foot reefs in Key Largo and BHB are perfect for a beginner gaining confidence.

Most destinations one goes to have no backup plan for bad weather. South Florida does.

Dive Blue Heron Bridge - Phil Foster Park

www.puravidadivers.com

Yeah, I've got BHB as a backup plan in case of blowout to get a couple dives in depending on when the high tide is... Viz may still be poor during bad weather, but it's still better than quarry diving.

I want to make a trip back there with a new camera I've put together, but that's not for this trip as I'll want to keep both eyes on the new diver.

 

[Johnoly]

......My only question is regarding strong currents in the winter.

Only other advice I can offer is the ..." Well it's too late now " picture advice.
On the way out the the dive sites, we ALWAYS look at the water surface for ' Flat Swirls '. These indicate strong currents and the flat swirl spots usually form a line that matches the wall of current. One side of the wall is fast and the other side of the wall is usually slower current. If you see these on your boat ride out to the site, point them out to your captain immediately and maybe suggest a different site since the gulf stream bends and curves radically in the the space of a few hundred feet.

Lots of fast current swirl flat circle spots

 

[Chrisk919]

Only other advice I can offer is the ..." Well it's too late now " picture advice.
On the way out the the dive sites, we ALWAYS look at the water surface for ' Flat Swirls '. These indicate strong currents and the flat swirl spots usually form a line that matches the wall of current. One side of the wall is fast and the other side of the wall is usually slower current. If you see these on your boat ride out to the site, point them out to your captain immediately and maybe suggest a different site since the gulf stream bends and curves radically in the the space of a few hundred feet.

Lots of fast current swirl flat circle spots
View attachment 864153View attachment 864154

That's actually good info, thank you.

I've seen discussions on 'upwellings' opposite strong down currents off a wall dive that look similar (i.e. if you see those in the deep blue water, be careful of strong down currents off the wall), but never relative to just currents meeting one another.

 

[Kimela]

Oh I get it. I used to say that when I lived in Florida.. Right along with "I'll never live anywhere it snows".. But then work dragged me north and my blood has apparently thickened considerably over the last 30 years, and now 71 at depth is "oooh warm summer temps", lol.

That northern weather will definitely do it! I’m always amazed at the folks on the boat from Wyoming or Canada who are diving in shorts while I’ve still got on a 3mil! I’m in Missouri and am only a warm water diver (quarries and lakes are cold, dark and green - not my cup of tea). As I’ve gotten older I’ve also become more of a baby. But I love seeing the pictures the more hearty people take in places like Galapagos and Puget Sound.

 

[FreqFlier]

Early December keys' water temps should still be in low 80-ies or very high 70-ies. No worries about getting cold there. I'd recommend choosing a dive op that includes DM with a group of divers. Not too many of those left around, Key Dives out of Islamorada and Rainbow Reef out of Key Largo being a few notable exceptions. RR may be a bit overwhelming for a new diver since it's a "cattle boat" operation, but oh well, gotta experience that too. Ideally book a trip or two with each of them to see and feel the difference.