Long Weekend Dive Trip - Key Largo or PR

[vwdennis]

Hello all. Long time reader, first post.

I started diving last April, and did my certification dives in the Philadelphia Quarry in East TN before a week of diving at Breezes Runaway Bay, Jamaica. I have since bought BC, Regs, etc, and I am dying to go somewhere warm to dive for a few days.

I have been thinking about a Fri-Mon trip to either Key Largo or the South and/or West coast of Puerto Rico. Flights from Nashville are around $200 to Miami and $250 to PR, and most of the lodging and diving costs are similar from what I have seen. I have read alot here of the good and bad about both places, and for the money these seem to be my two best options for a short trip.

Anybody have any ideas or recommendations about either location, which you would choose and why, etc. Thanks for the help.

 

[Tollie]

Hi,

Nice options. Leave on Fri... return on Mon right? So two days of diving?

When is this trip likely to happen?

A couple of thoughts.

1) water temps are likely to be a good 10 degrees warmer in PR than in Fla.
2) The next couple of weeks here in PR are very busy and boats do fill up. If you come to the Isla be sure to have your diving and lodging lined up beforehand.
3) Key Largo is a great destination for divers at all skill levels but especially so for new divers. Think 20 to 40 foot reefs.
4) Remember fly/dive limitations when you buy your tickets.

 

[Sorrows]

I've never dived in PR, so I can't speak for that, but I do know the Keys fairly well. Obviously, it can't compare to PR in terms of exotic and romantic destination, but you don't have much time for all that and honestly, I don't think the Keys can be beat for variety and convenience combined. I mean, Molasses Reef is a great dive by anyone's estimation, and there are also several wrecks from the easy (City of Washington) to the not-so-easy. All kinds of accomodations available, and all kinds of restaurants. The weather is usually reliable in the Spring, but we lost out on a day of diving last Spring break due to high winds. The college kids on Spring break seem to go to Key West or stay in SoBe, but there will be lots of divers and families there.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[sdwho]

I've only done a couple of dives in PR and there probably is more there than I'm aware of, but I was very impressed when I last dove Key Largo. I hadn't been diving in the Keys for nearly 10 years when we went to KL and I was pleased at how much healthier the reef seemed compared to when we last in the keys. Lots of fish life. And as mentioned, very easy diving for relatively new divers.