Liveaboards in the Keys

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Arnaud

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I'm looking into liveaboards in the Keys. There doesn't seem to be a lot of options. So far, I've found the Playmate (good name) and the Tiburon.

Has anyone tried them? Please give me the bads and the goods?

Are there any other boats?

Thanks!
 
I was also looking into live aboards in Florida but more with the intention of diving the Bahamas. Just as a point to consider- if a ship's itinery boards you in the US and the next stop is also in the US then the boat must be of US registry. This refers to some old vending laws and applies to all modes of interstate commerce. It also means that these boats will be more expensive. Look at all of the big cruise ships- they are not registered in the US and will not have to follow the same costly rules and regs. About the only convienent place to go other than Dry Tortugas out of the Keys would be Cuba (other than to another key) and available shore based accomidations and travel ops makes them impractical.
 
Try this link:

http://www.ultimategetaway.net/

As Stone mentioned, this boat goes to the Dry Tortugas from Fort Meyers. They do a 4 day / 3 night trip that gives you 2 full days of diving (up to 8 dive sites in a day - you pick the ones you want to dive) in the Dry Tortugas and two dives in the Gulf of Mexico on the way home. The diving in the Dry Tortugas is pretty good, although I didn't find the reefs to be as pristine as they are reputed to be. The final dive of the trip is an air force relay tower in the Gulf. It lies in 110 feet of water. Every square milimeter of the structure is encrusted with life. It's an awsome dive, expecially if you're a macro photographer with good bouyancy skills.

I was told that the boat would be taken out of the water this winter and refurbished with private cabins.
Last summer accomodations were simple, but comfortable enough. There were bunks below in two separate, dormitory-like areas down below. No linens were provided.

Heads are spartan, but not disgusting. There are 4 showers on board so the wait for a shower is never too bad. The common spaces are bright and comfy. The galley served big, heaping piles of comfort food.

There is plenty of space on deck for tanks and gear for 20 passengers. They provide Nitrox via a membrane system which filters Nitrogen out of the gas. The resulting mix is different after each fill. (ranging from 29% - 34% if I remember correctly.) If you have an 02 analyzer you will want to bring it along.

It's not a cushy boat like an Aggressor, but I have no reservations recommending the Ultimate Getaway to someone who wants to eat, sleep and dive.
 
Thanks guys. I'm definitely going to be looking in the Ultimate Getaways. If anyone has any other recommendations, they're welcome. I'm really looking for a way to explore the Keys and a liveaboard seems the best way. If anyone has other recommendations or info on the two other boats, it will be much appreciated.
 

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