Key West - Worth the drive?

[Tom Winters]

For the diving? Nope, unless you get a small local charter or guide who goes to reefs less trodden.
But for the partying, it's worth walking from Miami.

 

[DWJ]

Dove Key West a few years ago. The charter DM said it best when he said people in Key largo dive all day and look for a party at night. In Key West you dive simply for something to do before the party.

I would not waste my time diving key West again.

 

[TheRedHead]

I dove the Cayman Salvage Master in June and it was the worst viz I've seen in the Keys. Big chunks of crap floating around in green water with about 10 feet of viz. Joe's Tug was somewhat better, but as everyone said, there is much better diving to be had in the upper/middle Keys.

 

[MNDiverDan]

Thanks for all the great info!!

Sounds like Looe Key may be the ticket...any dive operators that would be highly recommended?

 

[616fun]

We were just there in July and dove with Florida Keys Dive Center in Islamorada. They were a great operation with an very comfortable boat. They tend to stick to the reefs south of Largo that are over run with charters. Call and find out what they are diving - if you're the first book a reservation you get to pick what you dive (shallow reefs, wrecks, etc).

http://www.floridakeysdivectr.com/


(I by no means work for Florida Keys Dive Center - just had a great experience while diving with them)

 

[HappyFunBoater]

We did a night dive on Davis Reef with Florida Keys Dive Center about a month ago. They seemed like nice folks. They put a TON of people on the boat, but it's layed out well and they have good ladders.

There are about a dozen dive operations in Key Largo along the channel next to Marina Del Mar, Holiday Inn and the Divers Direct store. Depending on where you're staying, that's probably a 20 minute drive, but you'll certainly have lots of options.

 

[TheRedHead]

Thanks for all the great info!!

Sounds like Looe Key may be the ticket...any dive operators that would be highly recommended?

We dove with Paradise Divers in Big Pine and were pleased. Very safety oriented and even had us flle a dive plan before diving the Adolphus Busch, a wreck in the same area. Looe Key is very beautiful and I think you'll enjoy it.

http://www.paradivers.com/

 

[wreckchick]

Again, I must nominate myself for lower keys diving. I actually have a few reefs I visit that are off the beaten track as well as going out to Looe Key.

Rachel

 

[Charlie99]

Again, I must nominate myself for lower keys diving. I actually have a few reefs I visit that are off the beaten track as well as going out to Looe Key.

OK. Stop teasing and tell us a bit more. What sort of reefs and topography?

The only dive I've done in your area besides Looe Key and the Adolphus Busch was the slope or dropoff just inshore of the Busch. It was a nice change of scenery. IIRC it was about a 45 degree slope running from 30ish feet down to about 100'. Just a few isolated coral head, but lots of gorgonians, sponges and other soft stuff as well as lots of fish.

If the original poster has the time, I'd suggest checking out Looe Key --- a very nice, very well developed and defined tongue and groove reef. The very best I've seen in the Keys.

Charlie Allen

 

[Hoyden]

The diving is better up in Largo, but drive to Key West for dinner at Blue Heaven - and have the Banana Heaven for dessert!