Key West Dive Shop?

[colonelchuck]

After 37 years of marriage, I can confirm that my wife finds a couple of hours in the spa ample compensation for my absence. :bonk:

 

[seaangel]

Lunchbox, I am originally from Key West. I have used Subtropic and found them to be really good. However, I also would recommend the Southpoint Divers for you. They are very good and are closer to the Pier House in location, which you may find to be a better choice. They have a web site at www.southpointdivers.com. If you have a problem getting them let me know I will get their phone number for you.

Congratulations on the wedding and have a great time on the honeymoon.

 

[blawler1]

Lunchbox

I didn't realize this was going to be your honeymoon. I don't want to get you into the dog house out of the gate; however, when I said that you could do the referral in two days, that meant 2x 2 tank charters (half day) which could be two morning, afternoon or a mix, not two full days. Heck, after a couple of nights of doing the Duval Crawl, she may not be up before noon and you could get through puking on the boat ride to the reef (just kidding)

I was just making the observation that resort courses are teasers at best (20 minutes of flailing at 20') and once certified, you would never have to worry about it again.

Too bad you are going before bug season starts as Key West has some of the best hunting around and you could really impress your new wife if you brought home a nice lobster dinner (many restaurants in KW will cook up your catch for only a few bucks).

On a positive note, I have personally experienced the best visibility on the reef off of Key West (100'+) during June when the Gulfstream brings the crystal blue water close in. You are pretty much guaranteed plenty of Tarpon (some over 6') which should be a quite a thrill (I think I peed myself) if you haven't been in the water in close proximity with really big fish.

Anyway, congratulations on your up coming nuptials and I know you both will have a blast no matter what diving course you choose.

P. S. Check out the day trips to the Tortugas if you both have an extra day, it is incredible and the snorkeling is the best.

 

[lunchbox]

Thanks for the info and well wishes.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm hearing some good things about an operator called bonsai. Anyone heard of them?

We are starting to get excited and can't wait for June.

This question is a little of the subject but it looks like quite a few of you know Key West pretty well...Is there certain days the cruise ships are in port or are they there pretty much every day?

thanks again

 

[seaangel]

The cruise ships started coming to Key West after I moved, but if memory is correct from visits home they are in almost everyday. They post a schedule in the local paper of which ships are in port there each day. I have heard of Bonsai but do not have first hand knowledge of them. My brother was in favor of them and he usually picks dive ops out fairly well for us.

 

[Lead_carrier]

lunchbox once bubbled...
The referral sounds like a good deal but I'm going to be on my Honeymoon and I don't think my new wife would like it too much if I was off diving for 2 days. .

You're going on your honeymoon and you are thinking about diving. Is you're future Ms. lunchbox going to get certified also. If she is then you'll have a great time. If she isn't going to be diving with you then, you're either as old as I am or you got hold of a tank of funny gas that shrunk your brain to the size of a bb or grew your ba__s to the size of basketballs, which she may bust quickly.

Have a happy honeymoon.

 

[Scuba Duffer]

Well I too am also so looking for recommendations of a good operator in Key West. I looked at some of the ones mentioned here but I'll definitely pass on Reef Raiders. If the name alone didn't turn me off, the following statement would

"HEAR - Your Favorite Music as you scuba dive and snorkel from the only boat in Key West equipped with an underwater sound system."

Yeah - just what I'm lookin for to destroy the peace and quiet of my dive. Give me a break!

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Hey if you want someplace really romantic for dinner or lunch check out Little Palm Island just south of Marathon off Big Pine Key. It can only be reached by an hourly water taxi. Its pretty pricey but very, very romantic and the food is out of this world. We had key deer walk up on the beach after swimming over to the Key and join us for dinner. The whole place is tiki huts and lit by torches. You won't be sorry.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Check us out at www.reef-divers.com / 21 miles from Key West. Our boats only carry 6 divers.

 

[sundog]

Here's a link to a Florida dive site I have found useful. It includes a short description of Bonsai dive shop with a handful of appraisals from customers.

http://www.flkeysdiveshops.com/lkdiveshops/diveshops_info.cfm?shopID=103

Enjoy your honeymoon!