Hello all, started this post some time last year in anticipation for a planned Key Largo trip. A bit of feedback on my last March 2018 trip :
Finally, I went with Rainbow Reef right in Key Largo. Main reason is the fact that they post a complete dive schedule in advance on the website so you can actually reserve your preferred dive site. I wanted to dive the Spiegel Grove deep dive so badly. Second dive was the french reef. Overall good fun dives, lots to see but be aware..
As expected, the dive vessel was packed, 15 divers "farm boat" type ; 4-5 divers per DiveMaster. We did not get much bottom time on the Spiegel Grove wreck as we had to always stay with the group. The DM was drilling everybody on watching our no deco time and air; annoying..this really distracted me from enjoying the dive site. Also, we were going in the wrong direction on descent, burning extra time to find the wreck. With a 80 cu.ft. tank, our bottom time on the Spiegel was way too short like 4-5min at 100 ft. and DM was asking for our air readings every 2 min! So distracting!! We are all certified divers and should be responsible enough to look after our own safety and buddy; but on the other hand, I completely understand why they are doing this as many divers come from all over the world with various experience and comfort levels so for liability reasons,not being familiar with the dive site they are really conservative and really insist on extra safety. One of the younger guys in our group ran low on air on the ascent and needed help. It would be nice if they could sort out the group by experience and interest but I guess they would not make any money that way, too much time consuming. I carried a small stage bottle just in case I could squeeze more bottom time, never happened
Next year I will spend more time to find a smaller operator or private charter with fewer divers; and hopefully enjoy are more custom-able dive.
I also wish they had larger capacity steel single cylinders or double aluminium sets as rentals to get you closer to recreational NDL and get more bang for the buck spent underwater; I asked around and no ones carries them other than cave country up north. It's a hassle to carry from Canada to Florida. Carrying a stage bottle 40 cu.ft. is more practical
Walking around the local harbor later in the afternoon I stumbled across this operator. Looks interesting. Does anyone have other recommendations for smaller Key Largo operators at a reasonable price that actually have a schedule to pick your own dive sites and possible deco dives? Maybe worth paying a bit more and get what you are paying for !! The week before I called Key Largo Dive Centre and they were not going on the Spiegel Grove, they had training all week and no sites are guaranteed. What a bummer,!
