seadog
Guest
have dove with them once or twice. Let us know when you are diving in WPB, maybe Mrs. Dog and I can join you.
Key largo - Key West - Crystal River??
- Thread starter Scuba Duffer
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jbuchow
Registered
One of my friends and I went diving for the first time in the Florida Keys last August. We started our week-long trip at the Looe Key Reef Resort, where we stayed for 3 days. While the first day of diving with them was fun, it quickly got rather boring. The boats were completely packed (about 30 snorklers and 15 divers), and as a result very cramped. Although you theoretically have 1 hour for each dive, the 5 minute surface intervals (all the dives are done on the same reef, just few hundred feet away) significantly cut into that amount. Although the dives were cheap ($60/3 dives), I would not recommend them -- you really do get what you pay for.
Following our 3 days with LKRR, we went to Islamadora (sp?), where we dove with Lady Cyana -- what a huge difference. We had 6 divers on a sizable boat, and the service was a world apart. We saw the Eagle wreck that day -- what a great wreck dive!
Next day, we dove the Spiegel Grove with "Skip" Dawson from Island Reef divers (tel: 305-453-9456, www.islandreefdiver.com) in Key Largo. There were 6 of us on the boat. That was also a fantastic dive, and the outfit although small was very professional and a whole lot of fun. As with Lady Cyana, I would difinitely recommend them.
After that, we dove with AquaNuts in Key Largo. Their "resort" had the best accomodations (especially after the free upgrade we got when they realized that my friend and I were not planning to share a twin bed
). The dive operation was definitely safety oriented, to the point of being somewhat annoying -- I think at one point or another they were rumored to have left a couple divers out on the reef overnight.
All in all, we had the best experience with Lady Cyana and Skip. In fact, we may return to the Keys this May, and try diving with them again.
Hope this helps and good luck on your trip!
Following our 3 days with LKRR, we went to Islamadora (sp?), where we dove with Lady Cyana -- what a huge difference. We had 6 divers on a sizable boat, and the service was a world apart. We saw the Eagle wreck that day -- what a great wreck dive!
Next day, we dove the Spiegel Grove with "Skip" Dawson from Island Reef divers (tel: 305-453-9456, www.islandreefdiver.com) in Key Largo. There were 6 of us on the boat. That was also a fantastic dive, and the outfit although small was very professional and a whole lot of fun. As with Lady Cyana, I would difinitely recommend them.
After that, we dove with AquaNuts in Key Largo. Their "resort" had the best accomodations (especially after the free upgrade we got when they realized that my friend and I were not planning to share a twin bed
). The dive operation was definitely safety oriented, to the point of being somewhat annoying -- I think at one point or another they were rumored to have left a couple divers out on the reef overnight.All in all, we had the best experience with Lady Cyana and Skip. In fact, we may return to the Keys this May, and try diving with them again.
Hope this helps and good luck on your trip!
Reeflover
Guest
In Key Largo there are many reefs such as Molasses, Pickles, Dry Rocks, Christ of the Abyss, etc. For a wreck if you are just Open Water certified try the Benwood. The Spiegal Grove is considered an Advanced Open Water dive. For an operation that is very nice, small with alot of personal attention to divers try Bluewater Divers in Key Largo at MM 100. www.Bluewaterdiver.net
For other Key Largo activities, there is parasailing, backwater fishing, kayacking, jet skiing, the glass bottom boat, and the Sun Cruz casino boat, etc. When you come into town a stop at the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce building is a must if you want to see everything available for you to do.
Hope you enjoy your stay here in Key Largo
Reeflover
For other Key Largo activities, there is parasailing, backwater fishing, kayacking, jet skiing, the glass bottom boat, and the Sun Cruz casino boat, etc. When you come into town a stop at the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce building is a must if you want to see everything available for you to do.
Hope you enjoy your stay here in Key Largo
Reeflover
DaveO
Contributor
If the Spiegel Grove is a definite must-do for you, and you're not already AOW, would you consider training while you're there?
KeyLargoBrent is a member of this board, and an instructor who works with Blue Water Divers- he can arrange the training for you, I'm sure. Their number is 888.953.9600, or you can send him a PM. They're located right next to the Holiday Inn.
I have to return to the Grove: we took pictures in front of the screws that didn't turn out well!
KeyLargoBrent is a member of this board, and an instructor who works with Blue Water Divers- he can arrange the training for you, I'm sure. Their number is 888.953.9600, or you can send him a PM. They're located right next to the Holiday Inn.
I have to return to the Grove: we took pictures in front of the screws that didn't turn out well!
OP
Scuba Duffer
Contributor
I would normally yes to the AOW but we will only be in Largo for one full day now. We have changed our itinerary a bit and were planning to dive Looe key the second day. At the very most we could only do 2 days in Largo.
I have made a number of inquiries off the board and some operators that were recommended here saythe Grove is no problem as long as we take a DM down with us.
I have made a number of inquiries off the board and some operators that were recommended here saythe Grove is no problem as long as we take a DM down with us.
doing a couple of "Adventure Dives" on the Spiegel Grove? Adventure Dives offer credit toward AOW certification. AOW Certification requires a Deep Dive, a Navigation Dive, and three "elective" dives (such as Wreck). You and your wife could knock out the Deep and Wreck components of the AOW course during a single half day charter.
Check out the pre-sinking picture of the Grove on our home page:
www.BlueWaterDiver.net
That's our boat in the foreground.
Be safe, have fun, and never stop learning!
Check out the pre-sinking picture of the Grove on our home page:
www.BlueWaterDiver.net
That's our boat in the foreground.
Be safe, have fun, and never stop learning!
OP
Scuba Duffer
Contributor
Good idea - I've sent you a PM!
Just got back from the Keys. And West Palm.
Spiegal Grove we hit 128ft at the bottom. Cruised from around midway at 100ft to the Bow. And back up the side of the boat. For around 45min. Nice dive. Not bad current the day we were there. But it is supposed to have strong currents on a regular basis. Surface was choppy though. Made it fun getting back on the boat.....LOL
Duane was nice too. Big Cuda lives inside. And I mean BIG. More sea life then the Grove.
Benwood had huge amounts of sea life. But it's blasted all over the place. A flat wreck for sure....
I liked diving the Grove the best. Just for it's sheer size. It's over welming..... I'll dive it again when I go back...
I liked the diveing in West Palm a little better. Dove with Jack Abernathy's group. Great people and alot of fun. Saw 4 big turtles on a 4 wreck drift dive. DM in the water to make you feel safe. And if it's Lorna. I think that's her name. She's nice to look at too. UT graduate. So has a southern drawl to her.... And she's sweet... They were really great to dive with....
Spiegal Grove we hit 128ft at the bottom. Cruised from around midway at 100ft to the Bow. And back up the side of the boat. For around 45min. Nice dive. Not bad current the day we were there. But it is supposed to have strong currents on a regular basis. Surface was choppy though. Made it fun getting back on the boat.....LOL
Duane was nice too. Big Cuda lives inside. And I mean BIG. More sea life then the Grove.
Benwood had huge amounts of sea life. But it's blasted all over the place. A flat wreck for sure....
I liked diving the Grove the best. Just for it's sheer size. It's over welming..... I'll dive it again when I go back...
I liked the diveing in West Palm a little better. Dove with Jack Abernathy's group. Great people and alot of fun. Saw 4 big turtles on a 4 wreck drift dive. DM in the water to make you feel safe. And if it's Lorna. I think that's her name. She's nice to look at too. UT graduate. So has a southern drawl to her.... And she's sweet... They were really great to dive with....
We just got back from Isalmorad last week. We are relatively new divers and wanted to just get some good diving experience (other than the quaries here in OH). We dove with Ocean Quest Dive Center http://www.oceanquestdivecenter.com/ at Smugglers Cover in Islamorda - they were great! We did pay $50 for a DM on the first couple of dives and again to accompany us on a dive on the Eagle and a night dive. I highly recommend the dive on the Eagle, if you get the opportunity.. it was awesome! Ocean Quest would not go to the Christ Statue but they did take us to some awesome reefs where we were the only divers on the reefs...no crowds! Here is a link to some photos ....!http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b3506966653c
Also the another recommendation for dinner is Lazy Days in Islamorada. The food and service are excellent! The LorelLei is also good but Lazy Days is a step above... truly excellent!
I'm sure you will enjoy the trip.. the diving is truly incredible! Good Luck
Also the another recommendation for dinner is Lazy Days in Islamorada. The food and service are excellent! The LorelLei is also good but Lazy Days is a step above... truly excellent!
I'm sure you will enjoy the trip.. the diving is truly incredible! Good Luck
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