Key Largo or Islamorada?

[rowuhnoke]

My husband and I (both newly certified novices) are planning an afternoon dive in either Key Largo or Islamorada in March as we travel between Miami and Key West (we'll also be diving some in KW). I've been in touch with both Key Dives in Islamorada and Blue Water in Key Largo - I like the smaller boats with more personalized attention, and want a guide. As beginners looking for shallower reef dives, is there an advantage to either Key Largo or Islamorada, or are they essentially the same?

 

[Lee Taylor]

I have dove both. Both are good and both have 30 foot dives and deeper. If I had to pick one I would pick Largo. I liked the reef system there better. Especially liked Molasses reef.

You really cant go wrong with either. Largo is a bit of a hot spot for the dive business because it is basically the first spot you hit when you drive into the Keys. Fewer travelers make it to Islamorada even though it is just a little down the road.

ps: dont miss the "Dive Museum" in between Largo and Islamorada. Its on the right hand side

 

[Buoyant1]

Did a bunch of pre "AOW like" dives in both areas Can't go wrong!

I think Islamorada and Key Largo pretty much overlap some sites though...depends upon whether you want anything specific (i.e. City of Washington, Benwood, Molasses Reef etc.)


Key West is alright, not as many fish, and pretty reefs as the upper Keys...Looe Key which is a few miles back has much nicer reefs!

Have fun!!!

 

[sportxlh]

I have dove both areas: both have very similar shallow reefs though some of Key Largo's most famous shallow reefs, such as Christ of the Abyss, can seem a bit beat up: e.g. torn up sea fans and corals from careless divers beating their fins on the reef. Isalmaroda gets fewer divers and, to me at least, the reefs seemed to be in better condition than the most commonly dove sites in Key Largo (though it should be noted that there are still plenty of pristine sites in Key Largo as well).

Either way, you are not really likely to go wrong. I'd base my decision on the dive shop and dive guide you feel most comfortable with

 

[MSPDiver]

I have dove both area several times. You will find on average, the at Islamorada is shallower. I recommend Davis Reef in Islamorada. There is a very large green moray eel that resides there. I have also had extremely close turtle encounters two out of three times. Ir is a raised coral ledge surronded by sand. Very easy to navigate. Hens and Chicken is a very nice shallow site.

In Key Largo, I would recommend different parts of Elbow reef (not the statue), Mo Reef, and the swim thrus on French Reef.

Both places have plenty to see, lots of fish life and short boat rides. Oh yea you may want to look into a place called Snapper's Ledge. Very nice.

 

[SC_Hoaty]

I have dove both area several times. You will find on average, the at Islamorada is shallower. I recommend Davis Reef in Islamorada. There is a very large green moray eel that resides there. I have also had extremely close turtle encounters two out of three times. Ir is a raised coral ledge surronded by sand. Very easy to navigate. Hens and Chicken is a very nice shallow site.

In Key Largo, I would recommend different parts of Elbow reef (not the statue), Mo Reef, and the swim thrus on French Reef.

Both places have plenty to see, lots of fish life and short boat rides. Oh yea you may want to look into a place called Snapper's Ledge. Very nice.

I agree with the selection of dive sites you named - all great ones. I've been to all the named Islamorada sites by using Florida Keys Dive Center out of Tavernier. Their boat is larger, but that just means more elbow room unless it is a very busy time of year (which March generally is not, I believe). They have a great gang of folks, several of whom can be hired to give the desired guided dive.