Review Pennekamp Dive Shop

[soduh]

I looked for this on a couple Key Largo threads but didn't see anything so it felt worth a post.

Recently dove with the dive operation based in Pennekamp State Park and had a really good experience. Large boat with just a few other divers (probably due to going off season), knowledgeable captain, helpful dive master. I really appreciated their laid back attitude, especially after diving with the massive people shuttling experiment that is Rainbow Reef later in the week. I understand it is a lot easier to be chill when not trying to direct 8 boats worth of 20-30 yahoos carrying all their gear but maybe that just proves my point.

Anyway, don't sleep on them if you are thinking about going to Key Largo. Price was good, people were nice, and they put us on some fun sections of reef. They even let us use their carts to get the gear back to the car.

Dive pics tax:

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Is that wreck, the City of Washington? Nice wreck and reef, shallow, easy dive

 

[soduh]

Good eye! We did the Hannah Bell and City of Washington for our dives.

 

[chrisjur]

You were good to hit the timing right. Most of the year, Pennekamp is a mess of people and often includes divers who can barely set up their equipment, as well as thousands of touristy snorkelers.

However, it's good to note that there are several charters in Key Largo that are a substantially better balance between Pennekamp and the public bus terminal that is Rainbow Reef. The shallow and deep boats at Horizon Divers are great. And the private treatment at Quiescence is superb and costs about what you'd pay at most dive shops if you have 4 people or more. These are just a few examples. (Admittedly, at $60, Pennekamp is dead cheap)

 

[conchrandy]

I looked for this on a couple Key Largo threads but didn't see anything so it felt worth a post.

Recently dove with the dive operation based in Pennekamp State Park and had a really good experience. Large boat with just a few other divers (probably due to going off season), knowledgeable captain, helpful dive master. I really appreciated their laid back attitude, especially after diving with the massive people shuttling experiment that is Rainbow Reef later in the week. I understand it is a lot easier to be chill when not trying to direct 8 boats worth of 20-30 yahoos carrying all their gear but maybe that just proves my point.

Anyway, don't sleep on them if you are thinking about going to Key Largo. Price was good, people were nice, and they put us on some fun sections of reef. They even let us use their carts to get the gear back to the car.

Dive pics tax:

Many thanks for the nice review. We try to make your diving experience as stress free as possible in every aspect of the procedure. The Newton 36 is simply the Goldilocks of dive boats. With it’s 20 passenger capacity it’s small enough to offer the personal touch yet large enough to get you there on the not so perfect days. Please come again and maybe stay for lunch at our new waterfront food truck.

Thanks, Randy, shop owner.

 

[BillM_Diver]

Many thanks for the nice review. We try to make your diving experience as stress free as possible in every aspect of the procedure. The Newton 36 is simply the Goldilocks of dive boats. With it’s 20 passenger capacity it’s small enough to offer the personal touch yet large enough to get you there on the not so perfect days. Please come again and maybe stay for lunch at our new waterfront food truck.

Thanks, Randy, shop owner.

Hi Randy,
I'm a new diver. Just did my first boat/reef dive yesterday at Looe Key. We are heading to John pennekamp State Park on Sunday for two weeks and im looking to dive once there. I don't have a dive buddy but I would love to dive "City of Washington" as another easy dive while I'm getting my feet wet. Is this something I can do with you?
Thanks
Bill

 

[conchrandy]

Hi Randy,
I'm a new diver. Just did my first boat/reef dive yesterday at Looe Key. We are heading to John pennekamp State Park on Sunday for two weeks and im looking to dive once there. I don't have a dive buddy but I would love to dive "City of Washington" as another easy dive while I'm getting my feet wet. Is this something I can do with you?
Thanks
Bill

Hi Bill,
Thanks for the reply. Generally, we try to accommodate special requests. All depending on conditions, of course. Please call 305-451-6300 ext 3 to speak to a dive specialist and make reservations.

Best wishes
Randy

 

[BillM_Diver]

Hi Bill,
Thanks for the reply. Generally, we try to accommodate special requests. All depending on conditions, of course. Please call 305-451-6300 ext 3 to speak to a dive specialist and make reservations.

Best wishes
Randy

Will do, thanks

 

[SaltLakeCityDIver228]

I looked for this on a couple Key Largo threads but didn't see anything so it felt worth a post.

Recently dove with the dive operation based in Pennekamp State Park and had a really good experience. Large boat with just a few other divers (probably due to going off season), knowledgeable captain, helpful dive master. I really appreciated their laid back attitude, especially after diving with the massive people shuttling experiment that is Rainbow Reef later in the week. I understand it is a lot easier to be chill when not trying to direct 8 boats worth of 20-30 yahoos carrying all their gear but maybe that just proves my point.

Anyway, don't sleep on them if you are thinking about going to Key Largo. Price was good, people were nice, and they put us on some fun sections of reef. They even let us use their carts to get the gear back to the car.

Dive pics tax:

Good to know....would have passed them by, but since we have another trip planned to the Keys, we may be making some "modifications" to our trip.