Rainbow Reef Divers - Islamorada

[aepstein]

Has anyone had any experience diving with Rainbow Reef Divers out of Islamorada? I'm taking the family (4 of us) to the Keys in late July and was looking for a small outfit or charter with a dive guide.

They seem accommodating and reasonably priced. This is our first ocean dive so I wanted some personal attention.

We're going to try lobstering during the mini-season and a reef dive.

Any recommendations / suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Alan

 

[augie]

Alan,

Welcome to the world of scuba!

I don't want to sound like a wet blanket, but if it's not too late to do so you may want to reconsider doing your first ocean dives during the lobster mini-season. It can be quite hectic, and as you've probably already discovered, prices are higher as it's considered a special event by all of the hoteliers, etc.

I have vowed to never be caught dead in the Keys during sportsmen mini-season again - too many people on too many boats - it's a modern day version of a gold rush!

I'm going the second week of July - after the 4th and before mini-season, it should be calmer then. If you stick to your original plan, by all means good luck. You can still have a blast of course, just beware of the possibility of things being a bit hectic.

 

[aepstein]

Thanks for the heads up Augie but I think the family has their hearts set on giving the lobstering a try.

We'll probably make our first dive up in Pennecamp earlier in the week.

Rainbow Reef said I could charter their small dive boat so I'm hoping they'll know the non-crowded areas. Before I sign a commitment, I was hoping to get some feedback on their operation.

 

[TropicalDiver]

Can't give you any input about the dive operator, but some general advice...

Chartering the whole boat for yourself and your family would be a great idea if they would let you do it - i.e. only you and your famliy - no other divers. Consider getting a divemaster to go along with you since it'll be first ocean dives - just for a little extra insurance in case something goes wrong. After all, it is your family and you want everyone to be safe and an extra divemaster will take the heat off of you to ensure that.

Everyone must have a license (over 16 years or something) and make sure you have the applicable lobster tag on your licenses. Everyone needs gages too! Never pull lobster by the antenna - they fall off like a lizard's tail and the lobster has lost a defense against prey. The lobster will get away and has a very powerful tail to jump away from divers. Know the different kinds of lobster and what they look like: the spanish lobster and slipper lobster have different (less length or no length) requirements than the standard caribbean lobster.

I'd have to agree with augie on this issue though. The goldrush is a great example of what is like down there. If you have inexperienced divers in the water - have some to be delegated spotters. Remember excited divers will use more air (i.e. check gauges!!!) and physically exert themselves trying to get their prey. It can be a free-for-all under the water and everyone needs to have a specific role to be safe. Can be very risky - be very careful - know your gear - know your buddies' gear - have rules - be paranoid and everyone will come back safe.

 

[f94gator]

And if you don't want your first day of diving shot, have your tanks filled BEFORE you head down there. There can be a bit of a line at the dive shop...

 

[jlyfsh]

It's a gold rush alright, but the kids will love it!!. I was surprised to see so many rooms that are still available for that week. I'm not familiar with this dive outfit but I agree on the dive master suggestion. You won't have to go deep or far to find bugs, just pace yourselves.

 

[pdoege]

I dove with them a month or so again.

Nothing spectacular.

The captain was in a bit of a rush to get us back to shore the first day. He set some ridiculously short dive time for our 2nd reef dive.

We *****ed and had no other issues.

Capt. Mike is an old USN diver and is a great guy. He was driving the six pack when I was down there.

Be sure to visit French Reef and Mushroom (or is it Muscle?) Reef. Really good, nice and shallow.

Peter

 

[aepstein]

Not sure how many more responses to expect so I'll thank you all now for the great advise!

We're definitely getting a a dive master to jump in with us. I expect to have a few ocean dives in before then but I think it's worth having someone knowledgable on the terrain, currents and sealife to show us around.

I'll let you know how it turns out!