Need help-KeyWest trip 4/1/06

[pghbob]

I'm heading to sugerloaf key(about 15 miles east of key west) for a week. need suggestions for dive operators and dive sites. i generally like deep wall dives, though i doubt any such thing exists in the keys, i'd settle for 100-130 ft. wreck dives suitable for moderate skill levels( 3 years, 70-80 dives). any info regarding water temps, vis., etc. would be appreciated.

 

[StSomewhere]

Wall dives, that's a toughie. Look at a chart and you'll see the problem.

There's better diving at Looe Key than down in KW. Try this, its a dive boat that does Looe Key and the Adolphus Busch, run by our very own biscuit7. http://www.wreckreationcharters.com

If you are going to dive in KW, check around for pricing. They all go to the same reefs and couple of wrecks, but some charge double what the others get. I've been happy with Captain's Corner, esp. if you are bringing your own equipment.

And throw back a frosty one (or two!) for me at Jimmy's place while you are there.

 

[wreckchick]

I'm about 10 miles up the road on Summerland Key and I'm happy to take you to Looe Key and the Busch. I do know a couple of deeper reefs in the area but we don't really have "walls" anywhere around.

Rachel

 

[oly5050user]

Wall dives, that's a toughie. Look at a chart and you'll see the problem.

There's better diving at Looe Key than down in KW. Try this, its a dive boat that does Looe Key and the Adolphus Busch, run by our very own Buscuit7. http://www.wreckreationcharters.com

If you are going to dive in KW, check around for pricing. They all go to the same reefs and couple of wrecks, but some charge double what the others get. I've been happy with Captain's Corner, esp. if you are bringing your own equipment.

And throw back a frosty one (or two!) for me at Jimmy's place while you are there.

yeah; we are in kw every aug for bug season..capt corner is probably the least expensive,its ok for what it is..I suggest taking a trip to mm 21 and try Rachel..she has a 24' privateer that capt jim used for his operation and dives looe key/adolphus bush wreck

 

[pghbob]

thanks for the quick replies. rachel, your op. looks just like what i'll need. we'll probably have 3 guys diving altogether. we all did our very first dives in KW about 4 years ago,and after diving the cayman's & coz, i agree that a return would most likely be disapointing. i'll have to try to find some info on dives in your neck of the woods.

 

[wreckchick]

The dives you're likely to see published are Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary which is a shallow (15-25') spur and groove reef approx. 5 miles south of Ramrod Key. There are about 30 permanent moorings on the reef and there is no fishing, bugging, coral harvesting or any other kind of molestation allowed. The reef itself is very healthy and there are a ton of fish there.

The other major site you'll see listed is the Adolphus Busch, Sr. which is a 210' freighter that was sunk in 1998 as an artificial reef. She's on her keel in 107' of water. The boat was damaged a little in Hurricane Dennis last summer, but nothing severe and it's a really excellent example of what these storms can do. Before the storm, the deck was at 85' but with the surge action of the hurricane passing to our south, she rocked back and forth and sank herself about 8' further into the sand exposing the prop for a brief time and putting the deck at 93'. In fact, the base of the cargo holds are now substantially below the surrounding sea floor.

Those are the 2 biggies, but it's a big ocean, I have spots

Rachel

 

[pghbob]

rachel, thanks again for taking the time to help out.

 

[Divers Direct]

I do not specifically know of any Dive Ops in the area as I am in Ft. Lauderdale but if you give our store in Key West a call I am sure they can give you a few good names. Their phone number is 305-293-5122, and ask for Tim.

Sean Clarke