Blue Sparkle
Contributor
I can't speak to any of the areas closer to Miami, but I can say that the typical Keys reef diving can be very beginner-friendly. I've done just about all of my dives there since OW class, and for me it's been a good place to learn to dive. Here are some things I like about it:
1) The dives are usually shallow, <40'; often <25') which has some plusses:
a) It's bright and light at those shallower depths.
b) If you're diving at, say, 22', it's not a huge big deal to surface to do a boat check, if you need to (although for my first dives what I did was swim up to the anchor or mooring line and then make "forays" out and back in various directions, so I did not get lost).
c) One uses proportionately less air at shallower depths, so you are more likely to get your full hour's dive in.
d) It's often a relatively short boat ride to the reef (this depends on which one) (say, 20 minutes to 45 minutes)
e) Many of the reefs have sandy patches nearby, which I found more relaxing for practicing things (no fear of accidentally dropping down onto, and damaging, coral). This was nice for practicing over, and also, you can often swim along over sand but still be looking at reefs right next to you. If you are a bit "unstable" in terms of buoyancy this can be a nice feature.
f) There is usually a lot to see - fish and corals - sometimes even right under the boat. So you often don't need to go far if you don't want to.
g) Typically there is little or no current and the vis is good (although my buddy's and my first "alone" dive happened to be in ripping current with 10' vis; but that was unusual).
The above is not to say that other areas don't have these features; I'm just letting you know what I have experienced as a beginner diving in the Key Largo/Tavernier/Marathon areas.
As others have mentioned, you can hire a guide to dive with you. That might be a good balance between taking a class (probably a bit much for a one-day trip) and diving completely "alone" if you don't feel comfortable doing so.
I tend to like smaller ("6-pack") boats because I feel less pressure and more sociability in smaller groups; but there are also people who prefer the larger boats for other reasons.
There are sometimes "big" waves, which can make it more difficult/intimidating to get in and out of the water. Also, winter can bring more unsavory weather (bring warm clothes for the boat ride back in). But of course it can also be lovely. Just depends.
One last note though is that if you truly only have one day, it might be a bit tricky to get a Keys dive in. That's because of a combination of drive-time, traffic, and boat departure times. So if there is some good diving suggested closer to Miami that might be something to consider.
Blue Sparkle
1) The dives are usually shallow, <40'; often <25') which has some plusses:
a) It's bright and light at those shallower depths.
b) If you're diving at, say, 22', it's not a huge big deal to surface to do a boat check, if you need to (although for my first dives what I did was swim up to the anchor or mooring line and then make "forays" out and back in various directions, so I did not get lost).
c) One uses proportionately less air at shallower depths, so you are more likely to get your full hour's dive in.
d) It's often a relatively short boat ride to the reef (this depends on which one) (say, 20 minutes to 45 minutes)
e) Many of the reefs have sandy patches nearby, which I found more relaxing for practicing things (no fear of accidentally dropping down onto, and damaging, coral). This was nice for practicing over, and also, you can often swim along over sand but still be looking at reefs right next to you. If you are a bit "unstable" in terms of buoyancy this can be a nice feature.
f) There is usually a lot to see - fish and corals - sometimes even right under the boat. So you often don't need to go far if you don't want to.
g) Typically there is little or no current and the vis is good (although my buddy's and my first "alone" dive happened to be in ripping current with 10' vis; but that was unusual).
The above is not to say that other areas don't have these features; I'm just letting you know what I have experienced as a beginner diving in the Key Largo/Tavernier/Marathon areas.
As others have mentioned, you can hire a guide to dive with you. That might be a good balance between taking a class (probably a bit much for a one-day trip) and diving completely "alone" if you don't feel comfortable doing so.
I tend to like smaller ("6-pack") boats because I feel less pressure and more sociability in smaller groups; but there are also people who prefer the larger boats for other reasons.
There are sometimes "big" waves, which can make it more difficult/intimidating to get in and out of the water. Also, winter can bring more unsavory weather (bring warm clothes for the boat ride back in). But of course it can also be lovely. Just depends.
One last note though is that if you truly only have one day, it might be a bit tricky to get a Keys dive in. That's because of a combination of drive-time, traffic, and boat departure times. So if there is some good diving suggested closer to Miami that might be something to consider.
Blue Sparkle
