Key Largo

[radar]

well, I just completed my open water dives up here in New Jersey. I am planning to be down in Florida visiting family and am going to plan my first warm water dive down there. I have found NUMEROUS places to go but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions??

 

[snuggle]

i would try the islamorada area..more restaurants accomadations and less people..hope this helps...if you go there try the holiday isle dive shop..

 

[WreckWriter]

snuggle once bubbled...
i would try the islamorada area..more restaurants accomadations and less people..hope this helps...if you go there try the holiday isle dive shop..

LESS people at Holiday Isle???

 

[DanBo]

I did my OW dives at Key Largo with an outfit called Dolphin Divers. You can reach Cliff or Carla at www.dolphindivers.com great, great couple. Carla is the dive master. They cater to smaller groups and they're out of Islamorada. When 4 of us did our open water referral thru them, we had the boat to ourselves and had fun. They also have a wild iguana on the dock that seems to be following divers around. Good luck to you.

DanBo

 

[Beachman]

Tavernier is between Key Largo and Islamorada at MM 90. Check Mike and Wendy's operation out at www.tavenierdivecenter.com or call them at 800-787-9797 or 305-852-4007.

These folks dive both the Key Largo sites (Molasass, Elbow and French reefs) and the Islamorada sites (Davis, Crocker, Aligator reefs) as well as all the wrecks (Duane, Bibb, Eagle, Speigel Grove, Benwood).

They'll also help you find lodging to fit your budget. Besides, I like the pleasant mix of locals and tourists in Tavenier.

 

[Bomber]

I also vote for Islamorada.

Lady Cyana is my favorite.

Bomber

 

[ScubaTexan]

There are so many places I would love to dive in Key Largo....Pennekamp, being first and foremost. I would also love to see the Christ of the Deep statue and the Jules Undersea Lodge. Oh, well....someday

 

[kwesler]

Actually...those two sites are probably pretty far down the list. Christ of the Abyss the viz tends to be lowish-I guess from all the divers. I also find the reef a bit beat up and the sealife more limited than other local reefs, although I did get to spend time with a turtle a few weeks ago.

Jules' is actually in a canal-really murky water and not much to see. There are some amazing reefs-Molasses, Hammerhead, Davis (which now has a deep ball), Back Side of the Moon, etc. My favorite right now is Conch Wall. Alligator Light is also great but a little out of the way.

My $.02

Ken

 

[Reeflover]

In my opinion, Key Largo has some of the best dive sites. Molasses Reef, French Reef, Pickles, the Benwood, Wreck of the Duane, Bibb and Spiegel Grove are just a few of the dive sites available. Crowds really shouldn't be a problem unless you come during a holiday and dive with a "cattleboat" operation.

I like the smaller more personalized operations like Bluewater Divers in Key Largo www.bluewaterdiver.net.



Reeflover

 

[divad]

Try to go to French Reef. Silent World Dive Center offers five 2-tank dive packages for $36.00 a trip,icluding tanks. (You can do two trips a day because they're all shallow dives)They have small boats. If you ask them to take you to French Reef, they will.