Key Largo

[HarleyDiver]

The Grove is considered an "advanced" dive.

IF the conditions are perfect, and
IF you refrain from going to deep,
Then you could look around on the top of the ship.

BUT, remember, its 130' to the sand.
Currents can rip through there like crazy.
Surface action is more severe because its outside the reef.
There are lots of "overhead" environments there.

If you want to do it, I recommend you do it with a Dive-Master as a guide the first time.

 

[bridgenet]

You have to be careful on the Grove, current can sneak up on you. Did a couple of dives a month ago and had a buddy assigned to me, she was advanced/rescue. As we started heading back to the boat a strong current started. I was able to skim the top of the Grove and since doing tech training I don't breath much... but she had troubles and hung out there fighting it... signaled low on air, she was at 450#, showed her I had 1500# and was able to get back to the boat OK.

Would suggest if your not comfortable with surprises and current what looks safe can change quickly so not a bad idea, as HarleyDiver suggested, having a divemaster available, just in case.

Kev

 

[G-lock]

I would wholly agree with HarleyDiver. We paid the DM/Guide to go with us on the first dive and when the conditions were good and he saw we had it together we went on our own on the second dive. I had a ball! Jeff

 

[sigelr]

Agree with most of the eating recommendations posted here and would add Ballyhoo's to the list. Also, for a change of pace you might try a night dive (go with an outfit that has a divemaster going or arrange for one yourself). Have dove most of the Keys and also like Tavernier (go withTavernier Dive Center) for a different scene. It's only about 15 minutes down the road from Largo. Also, Capt. Slate's Atlantis dive center does a Friday morning creature feature where they feed and play with barracudas, nurse sharks eels etc. - I'm not a big advocate of conditioning fish to come to humans but it is fun for newer divers.

 

[StacyT]

Looks like I've got a lot of eating to do when I'm down there. With all the recomendations I think I'm set for places to eat. Thats one thing thats I miss on the east coast/florida area is the great sea food, and places to eat.

I think I may pass on the grove this trip. Maybe a little to much for me to handle right now. I'm sure I'll be back that way in a couple of years, and I can always do it then, after I get a few more dives under my belt.

Thanks again for all the great info. Just counting down the days till I get to go. Less than 2 1/2 months till I leave.

 

[munkispank]

one last note- As posted above- the speigel is definately advanced- way cool- but conditions are changeable.
(I have had three aborted dives there before making it)

One thing you might mention to your boat crew is to try to do the Benwood wreck if conditions are good there. It is an easy shallow wreck and pretty cool- lots of nice fish and of you have non- divers with you, they can snorkel.

Most of the restuarants have already been mentioned- but there is a good Thai/Japanese at mm101.