Next on the agenda? In Key Largo

[underachiever]

We are headed back to the Keys in a couple of weeks. We have 4 dives beyond OWC under our belt. Went to Key Largo and hit some popular sites. Molasses, City of Washington, Double north, Mikes wreck, statue of Christ, Dry Rocks to name a few These included our checkout dives and the other 4 we have.. Will be going back to Key Largo again and have been reading about some of the other sites and thought about trying to go to the Benwood wreck and French Reef. These seem a little deeper but not to much. Couple of questions?

What is the difference in a guide and a divemaster (if any) or is the guide just usually a DM. What do they cost for 2 people?

Would you recomend getting a guide for going from 25 ft. avg. (with only 4 dives)to maybe 40 to 50 ft avg. Or should we gain more experience? We feel confident to do it on our own but thought we might get to see more with someone showing us the ropes.

How much influence do we have on the sites that we dive? Can we request where we want to go? Or is it just call and ask? OOPS more than a couple of questions.

Thanks

 

[trigfunctions]

The Benwood is a must do and is easy enough to do without a dive master, because you will stay right on top of the wreck the entire dive - hard to get lost that way. On the reefs, you might want to get a guide so they can point out all the good stuff and you can relax and enjoy the dive. I'm not sure how much extra it costs, but I don't think it is very much.

 

[DandyDon]

I did Key Largo when I was in your exact postion. Hiring a personal DM would be nice, but certainly not necessary.

Have a good trip. Get hamburgers at Hobos...

 

[LI Diver]

We are headed back to the Keys in a couple of weeks. We have 4 dives beyond OWC under our belt. Went to Key Largo and hit some popular sites. Molasses, City of Washington, Double north, Mikes wreck, statue of Christ, Dry Rocks to name a few These included our checkout dives and the other 4 we have.. Will be going back to Key Largo again and have been reading about some of the other sites and thought about trying to go to the Benwood wreck and French Reef. These seem a little deeper but not to much. Couple of questions?

What is the difference in a guide and a divemaster (if any) or is the guide just usually a DM. What do they cost for 2 people?

Would you recomend getting a guide for going from 25 ft. avg. (with only 4 dives)to maybe 40 to 50 ft avg. Or should we gain more experience? We feel confident to do it on our own but thought we might get to see more with someone showing us the ropes.

How much influence do we have on the sites that we dive? Can we request where we want to go? Or is it just call and ask? OOPS more than a couple of questions.

Thanks

Ditto what Don said and I'll add that it usually runs between $30 and $40 for a guide for a two tank trip and of course you should tip them I think about $10 per tank per person is the standard and of course add or subtract as you see fit. You can see other posts on the tipping thing. I also belive a lot of the operations use divemaster certified divers as the guides but cannot swear to it but the few that I inquired were.
As far as the depth.. my 12 yr old son and I did our ck out dives in the Key's never breaking 26fsw and then dove with a DM in Curacao on our second and third dives after OW ck outs to 70fsw. I did not notice any difference at that depth and actually felt that bouyancy was easier, there was no surge even though the surface had 5' waves and equalization of the ears as the depth changed slightly was not needed as when closer to the surface. Our 4th dive was a shore dive to about 50fsw with a guide and then we repeated the same dive on our own on a second tank.
You will definitely see more with a DM/guide as they usually know right where to look for all the highlights and I think it is money well spent, it certainly will be more relaxing.The conditions and your skill /confidence level play a big part in if you "need" one however. IMHO I certainly wouldn't push it though 40' to 50' shouldn't turn into 90' to 100'. Why rush into this wonderful sport theres so much to see at 30' surely your not bored already!
For influencing the dives I think if you call ahead or ck online and see if your dive op has a schedule posted it helps a lot. I have had captains ask me where I dove the day before so as not to hit the same spots if possible. The conditions,the skill level of the divers on the boat (for instance are there any ck out dives being done on the trip?) and the geographic location of the boat all have a bearing on where they go on any given day.Dive safe and enjoy!

PS if your not into red meat ck out Craigs Famous Fish Sandwich in Tavernier!

 

[underachiever]

thanks for all the tips. Certainly not bored at all with the shallow reefs. Heck on our first trip (2nd dive) after OWC they put us on some nurse sharks and a 300 lb grouper. The entire time we were training in the pool and until we got down to the Keys my wife was "worried" about sharks. Hers eyes got huge when the captain told us there were friendly sharks usually down there (city of washington). Before it was over, we were going around the coral the opposite way from the shark to try to meet up with them and she was leading the way. its been great.

We plan on purchasing our own wet suits this time around.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I concur with Don and ES.

I took my family there for spring break.... City of washington and Benwood are great dives no need for a guide. In fact we never had one, we dove with silent world and they give great dive briefs etc.... bought a package deal I know they are changing owners but the crew is going to stay the same.

Tell Kenny the grouper hi for us...
Have a great trip...

 

[underachiever]

I have been looking at Silent World's web site and the 3 trip package. Looks pretty good and seems they frequent where we want to go.

thanks

 

[vondo]

I have been looking at Silent World's web site and the 3 trip package. Looks pretty good and seems they frequent where we want to go.

thanks

When are you going? I will be diving with SW June 2 and after that for a few days, I think. I'm solo, so looking for buddies. Silent World is a great operation and very reasonable. In fact, you can buy the 5-trip card and use the others later.

 

[underachiever]

Will be there the Friday and Saturday before mothers day.

 

[Carolina Diver]

Check with Blue Water Divers. Small boat,VERY personal service. Brent will work with you and do whatever makes you comfortable in the water. Never had better service. Used other operators who were fine, but these guys make you feel like family.

http://www.bluewaterdiver.net/