I went to Key Largo in March to complete my first two OW check-out dives. Due to the ocean being to rough, I ended up in Jules Lagoon. Not very exciting but I accomplished what I needed to. I am now going back down and will complete my last two dives on June 6, in the morning. I plan to go out in the afternoon as a certified diver. My question is, if the ocean side of the key is to rough, is the gulf side usually rough also? When I was there in March it did look calm. If that is the case, can someone recommend a good dive boat. My wife would like to come along and snorkel also.
Need info. about Key Largo
- Thread starter coasterp
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mlynch21
Contributor
you probably won't be doing diving on the gulf side... all the good stuff is on the atlantic side.
Speargirl
Contributor
The Gulf side is to shallow to dive. I would hope the waters are calm for your next visit. Any dive op will take both snorklers and divers along as long as they are not doing a wreck. Pick a good reef dive and go for it.
Conch Republic 305 852-1655 Brenda and Gary
Blue Water 305 451-3252 Brent
Silent World 305 451 3252 Chris
Island Adventures 305 451-4957 Ann
Just to name a few good ones but there are many good shops here in the Keys.
Reef_Haven
Contributor
A few more Key Largo questions, rather than start another thread. The week of June 15, my family and I will be camping at John Pennekamp and taking our boat. We intend to dive Christ of the Deep, French Reef, Molasses Reef and the Benwood.
Are there specific Buoy numbers that are better than others at each site? Any other recommendations? Also what dive shop should I use for fills near John Pennekamp? Some of our tanks are pre 1990, is there a shop that will fill pre 1990 tanks? Would there be another boat ramp besides the John Pennekamp ramp I should consider using? Tell me about sea lice. I hear they can be bad in June. Any way to tell if they are about? best prevention? and what to do if we do get into them?
Are there specific Buoy numbers that are better than others at each site? Any other recommendations? Also what dive shop should I use for fills near John Pennekamp? Some of our tanks are pre 1990, is there a shop that will fill pre 1990 tanks? Would there be another boat ramp besides the John Pennekamp ramp I should consider using? Tell me about sea lice. I hear they can be bad in June. Any way to tell if they are about? best prevention? and what to do if we do get into them?
Going The Distance
Guest
As far as bouys go will depend on the crowd thats there, it can get pretty busy real quick on weekends with nice weather. As far as ramps from what I remember, Pennekamp has a pretty good one. Alittle further south there Rock harbour marina. .Straight out from there will put you on White Banks, Mollasses, Blue Hole, French and the Benwood. Plus along the way there is plenty of patch reefs. Pennekamp also has a dive center for air fills, Silent world is across the road, plus few other dive shops very close by.. A sugestion if its your first time (or second) down with a boat, get a good chart, top spots #n207. Navigating around largo sound can be a little tricky. If you want more info Im sure some one else will chime in, if not pm me Ive been down there quite a few times .
HarleyDiver_FL
Contributor
GPS cordinates for your dives are as follows.
French Reef : N 25° 02.057' W 080° 20.893' ,
Molasses Reef : N 25° 00.579' W 080° 22.471' ,
Christ of the Abyss : N 25° 07.450' W 080° 17.800' ,
Benwood : N 25° 03.160' W 080° 20.020'
The buoy's are there. Finding a buoy marker number? I've never really paid any attention as to if they have real numbers on them. If they do have nave actual numbers, you can bet your sweet patunia the local dive operators will have there people on the good ones.
The Tanks pre 1990. You'll never get them filled at any shop I know there. Rent the tanks, they aren't that much.
Pennecamp boat ramp will get you to all the dive locations listed. If the sea's are good the reefs are a 15 to 20 minute run from the ramp. If the sea's are bad. plan on dry boxes lol... Have a great trip and safe diving!!!
thelostpirate
Contributor
for sea lice try.. sea spray - 40% ammonia 40% vinager 20% alcohol then some beers
Reef_Haven
Contributor
Thanks for all the great advice. We may also check out Speargirls campground later in the week. Any advice on boat ramps and nearest/best dive sites? Other than the quarry...
moosicman
Contributor
I am going down the week of July 27th through August 3rd. When do the sea lice invade the keys or are they there year round?
thelostpirate
Contributor
About then 
ok a local could better answer. from what i have seen and heard it is more in the heat of the summer. I was down there this past weekend talking to a buddy of mine who runs a dolphin rescue and he was saying that the Cassiopeia, upside down jellyfish, (spelled wrong I am sure) which is a big contributer to the lice, are a little heavier early this year, so it is going to be a long summer for them.
ok a local could better answer. from what i have seen and heard it is more in the heat of the summer. I was down there this past weekend talking to a buddy of mine who runs a dolphin rescue and he was saying that the Cassiopeia, upside down jellyfish, (spelled wrong I am sure) which is a big contributer to the lice, are a little heavier early this year, so it is going to be a long summer for them.Similar threads
