key west for beginers

[frogcrc]

me and my son are new like just got our padi cards in the mail and the family is going to key west next month we would like to dive while there but need to find a "GREENHORN" frendly dive service and maybe get some lobster too please help

 

[philmayer]

I don't know that you'll be able to find a dive op that's going to allow you to take lobster while recreational diving with no experience. I don't lobster, so I could be incorrect.

I really like SubTropic, I've dived with them a few times. They have a good boat and a friendly staff. I've recommended them to many new divers and they've all been happy with the experience.

Think about going farther up the Keys though. Most of the dive sites around Key West are 60' or deeper.

Looe Key is fantastic, it's a shallow reef system a few miles offshore that has tons of juveniles, Goliath Grouper, and lobster. Your dives will be in 20-30 ft of water with great vis. There are several dive ops on Ramrod Key at MM27 that go out there. It's a short drive from Key West - about 30 minutes.

Farther up is Conch Republic Divers, widely considered one of the best dive ops in the Keys. I've had a great time diving with them and they have lots of experience with new divers. They're about an hour drive from Key West.

There are tons of ops in Key Largo and lots of fantastic sites, but that's quite a drive from Key West though.

You'll get many more replies if you post this to the Florida forum here on SB: Florida Conch Divers

 

[mselenaous]

Here is a sticky with all the who's who and where for the Florida Keys. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-conch-divers/362149-florida-keys-guide.html
Search the names of the dive ops here on SB to find out what others have to say as well as give them a call, have a chat, and get a feel if they are the right dive op for you. Most cater to "greenhorns" but not all allow hunting on their boats as many only go to the reefs within the protected sanctuary boundaries where hunting is prohibited.

Have fun and dive safe!

 

[jscott099]

I have great experiences with Captain's Corner in Key West. Typically in the afternoon is when most charters have their 'reef' dives but call up a couple and check. These reef dives are generally pretty shallow (less than 35 feet) and the natural terrain of the reef makes navigation (not getting lost) easy. I recommend not pursuing the deeper wreck dives because of your experience level. You can also pay a little extra to have a divemaster go along with you team if you feel the need.

 

[TMHeimer]

Haven't dived there but have looked into it. I believe you can do a shore dive legally right near the West end. Have no idea what it is like--depth, current, etc. Assume you can't touch anything. Also, being a shell collector, I did find one boat somewhere on the lower keys that will take you out beyond the sanctuary where you can take what you wish. But he charges like $600 for the boat, which is prohibitive unless you get several to go with you. Good luck.

 

[Doc Harry]

Key West is extraordinarily expensive, and I have had nothing but bad experiences with most of the diver operators there. Consider moving your vacation further north. Key Largo is a bit cheaper and there are plenty of good diver operators up there.

 

[Cixelsyd]

I did my certification checkout dives in April with Lost Reef Adventures. I'd highly recommend them.

Matt

 

[CT Sean]

If you search in the Florida Conch Divers subforum you'll find dozens of discussions on Key West dive ops.

To get you started here's the most recent:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...1-vandenberg-key-west.html?highlight=key+west
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...ve-shops-sites-august.html?highlight=key+west
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-conch-divers/378750-looking-recommendation-key-west.html

I personally have used both Subtropic and Bonsai Diving. Both were good - but different.

Subtropic runs a larger boat and you are in the water "by yourself" unless you hire a guide, which you might want to consider unless you are decent at navigation. Playing follow the leader can take a lot of stress out of your first open ocean dives

Pete at Bonsai Diving has a small boat and will pretty much tailor the dive to your experience level and be your guide. You pay a little more for it, but you also getting a much more personal service (in my opinion).

All the dives I did in KW were reefs in the 30 foot range other than the Vandenberg, which personally, I wouldn't want as my first ocean dive.