Night Diving in Key Largo

[Water Bug]

I will be in Key Largo for two weeks trading off the kids with my husband while he fishes and then I can dive.
Does anyone know which operation has most frequent night dives and what time do you have to meet? I would like to go for night dives when my husband gets back from fishing and get as many dives in as possible. I also plan to do 3-4 days of full diving and want to know of any operations that do 3 tank days?
Of course, would like to go with a respectable dive op.
Thanks.

 

[AZ Desert Diver]

As for the which operation what it the most night dives, it all depends on how many other divers want to do night dives. The most that I've been able to do there is 2 in a single week of diving, due to others not signing up. However, if you let the shop know when you book your dives they can try to pull together a few night dives a head of time.
How about 4 tanks a day vs. 3 tanks? If you only have 3 to 4 days of full time diving, the best bang for you buck with be with Silent World! There you can buy 6+/- half days of diving for a steal. You can use (2) 1/2day trips in a single day and that gives you 4 tanks a day. They are the only shop that I dive with there and I keep going back for a reason! Give them a try the price, service, and staff are hard to beat!

 

[mike_s]

I will be in Key Largo for two weeks trading off the kids with my husband while he fishes and then I can dive.
Does anyone know which operation has most frequent night dives and what time do you have to meet? I would like to go for night dives when my husband gets back from fishing and get as many dives in as possible. I also plan to do 3-4 days of full diving and want to know of any operations that do 3 tank days?
Of course, would like to go with a respectable dive op.
Thanks.

From what I've seen, most shops will try a night dive on certain nights of the week, and will start "taking names". When they get the minimum number of people, say 6, then they will do the trip. IF they can do this 7 nights a week they might, but unless they have a lot of interest, I'm betting they will only do one or two night dives per week.

You'll have to ask the shop what time the meet, but chances are you'll really be doing a "twilight dive", just as the sun is setting. Why? because boat crews don't wan tot stay out late till 10pm and in the summer time the sun says up much later.

For example in July, the sun is still up till about 8:30pm. The boat crew will get you there about 7pm or 7:30pm, locate and tie into the site befre it gets completely dark. Otherwise finding bouys in the dark is more of a hassle. Chances are you'll be back at the dock by 9pm.

Of course all this differes per shop, but they don't do "late night" dives there.


As for dive sites, they will most likely take you to Molasses Reef, French Reef, the wreck of the Benwood, etc. All great night dives. But expect a dive of 40 feet or less and it being a 'single tank dive'.

 

[kidsdream]

Ocean Divers is one of the few operations (good or bad) that dives on strict schedule - even if the boats are not full.

So if you sign up for their Wednesday or Saturday night dives, they will go out as long as they have two divers on-board.


While I personally only go out with Ocean Divers when my more favorite small boat ops are full or when trying to go to a specific site (like the Spiegel on New Years day) on trip; they do a good job. An when they are not packed full of divers their big boats are great options - I love the big camera tables.

 

[Scubasteve1982]

Horizon divers in Key Largo does night dives. I think it all depends if they have enough people to justify taking the boat out. Just give them a call and let them know thats what your looking for and I'm sure they can send you in the right direction. Horizon was a nice operation to dive with, even better when you get to take the small boat out. Nice crew! Have fun.

 

[String]

I used Ocean Divers there and their night dive had some sort of deal with IIRC Scuba-Doo (to fill a boat i assume).
No complaints - both well run outfits and did what i wanted.
Was extremely disappointed with key largo daytime diving but the night dive was lovely.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

I would second Silent World in Key Largo. Also consider Conch Republic Divers in Tavenier. Both Silent World and Conch Republic run smaller boats and listen to where their customers want to go. On the larger boats the Captain will pick the destination and schedule and you simply will not have much input. That tends to mean going to the same few beginner sites over and over again. Molasses Reef is wonderful but it is possible to see too much of it.

 

[Water Bug]

As for the which operation what it the most night dives, it all depends on how many other divers want to do night dives. The most that I've been able to do there is 2 in a single week of diving, due to others not signing up. However, if you let the shop know when you book your dives they can try to pull together a few night dives a head of time.
How about 4 tanks a day vs. 3 tanks? If you only have 3 to 4 days of full time diving, the best bang for you buck with be with Silent World! There you can buy 6+/- half days of diving for a steal. You can use (2) 1/2day trips in a single day and that gives you 4 tanks a day. They are the only shop that I dive with there and I keep going back for a reason! Give them a try the price, service, and staff are hard to beat!

Great info thanks! I didn't even consider that 4 dives was an option. Good news to my ears I will surely give it a go.

 

[Water Bug]

Ocean Divers is one of the few operations (good or bad) that dives on strict schedule - even if the boats are not full.

So if you sign up for their Wednesday or Saturday night dives, they will go out as long as they have two divers on-board.


While I personally only go out with Ocean Divers when my more favorite small boat ops are full or when trying to go to a specific site (like the Spiegel on New Years day) on trip; they do a good job. An when they are not packed full of divers their big boats are great options - I love the big camera tables.

THis is good to hear as well thanks! Who's your favorite small boat ops?

 

[Water Bug]

I would second Silent World in Key Largo. Also consider Conch Republic Divers in Tavenier. Both Silent World and Conch Republic run smaller boats and listen to where their customers want to go. On the larger boats the Captain will pick the destination and schedule and you simply will not have much input. That tends to mean going to the same few beginner sites over and over again. Molasses Reef is wonderful but it is possible to see too much of it.

I like the idea of four tank dives... do you know if Conch Republic offers the same?
I do have a beginner buddy with me... Would you still recommend the smaller boats? I really want to see as much as possible while there but may need to make some adjustments such as less wreck dives.