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Contributor
I Dove with Rainbow Reef about 6 times (12 dives) this year. Some were after the merger with Ocean Divers. Here are some observations.
I try to arrive at RR by 730am. Before the merger they would usually open at 8am, now they open by 745. Easy enough to check in and pick up rental gear (BCD & regs). When you call and make the reservation let them know if you need nitrox and it will already be on the boat on your corresponding spot. They give you a wristband for nitrox and another one with the boat’s name to avoid confusion. Every time I’ve gone there all staff - from the office, to the Capts, to the dive guides - are all very friendly and make you feel at home. I prefer one of the deep wrecks followed by a shallow dive. Even if the boat is full they split divers into groups of 6 and splash at different times so it doesn’t get too hectic. They let you know when 10 minutes away from dive site so plenty of time to get ready. On the wrecks (Spiegel Grove & Duane) I’ve had both extremes. No current at all with 100 ft visibility, to ripping current where you felt like a flag while doing the safety stop. If so desired, tell your guide that you’re OK with swim thru’s and if you have a flashlight and feel comfortable they will accommodate. Both of these wrecks are a definite bucket list item for any diver near Key Largo and I enjoy coming back for more. Once everyone is back on the boat they do a name check and on the way to one of the reefs. From my notes the SI interval is usually around 40 minutes (deep wreck followed by shallow reef) which is perfect and gives you plenty of NDL on 2nd dive without spending too much time on the surface. Molasses reef is beautiful and has plenty of fish. Small reef sharks sometimes pass by but you’re more likely to see nurse sharks, turtles and green eels. There are plenty of smaller fish like yellow tail and parrot fish hanging under the ledges. French reef is also nice and has a lot of cave-like formations that allow for easy swim-thru’s.
Note- When looking at the schedule they list 5 boats on top and 3 boats on the bottom row (Destiny, Serenity, Santana). These 3 boats are the ones located on the Ocean Divers side so make sure you go to the proper check-in.
Cons-
The boats are packed, and the “shallow boats” (2 shallow reefs) appear more packed. Maybe because of snorklers also?
They only have AL80 tanks and dives are about 45 minutes in the water. You will have a lot of air left over, especially on the shallow reefs.
They have deep reefs and walls (like conch wall) but they don't usually go in the morning. I dont know why.
Pros-
They are really about customer service. When our group of 5 did AOW a couple of years ago we showed up for the 1st day of dives (PPB & Navigation) and we had the small island hopper all to ourselves at no added cost!
Another time I went by myself for a midweek dive and when arrived I found out that I had a dive guide just for myself. The rest of the boat was filled with divers from a scuba club in Georgia.
Even though the boats are packed, they are large and you have plenty of room to move about. They splash groups at different times and as soon as you get back on the boat after the dive they walk you to your seat, so the rear of the boat stays clear of equipment/divers.
Overall they're great and it's nice to have a guide when going by myself and diving with an insta-buddy
I try to arrive at RR by 730am. Before the merger they would usually open at 8am, now they open by 745. Easy enough to check in and pick up rental gear (BCD & regs). When you call and make the reservation let them know if you need nitrox and it will already be on the boat on your corresponding spot. They give you a wristband for nitrox and another one with the boat’s name to avoid confusion. Every time I’ve gone there all staff - from the office, to the Capts, to the dive guides - are all very friendly and make you feel at home. I prefer one of the deep wrecks followed by a shallow dive. Even if the boat is full they split divers into groups of 6 and splash at different times so it doesn’t get too hectic. They let you know when 10 minutes away from dive site so plenty of time to get ready. On the wrecks (Spiegel Grove & Duane) I’ve had both extremes. No current at all with 100 ft visibility, to ripping current where you felt like a flag while doing the safety stop. If so desired, tell your guide that you’re OK with swim thru’s and if you have a flashlight and feel comfortable they will accommodate. Both of these wrecks are a definite bucket list item for any diver near Key Largo and I enjoy coming back for more. Once everyone is back on the boat they do a name check and on the way to one of the reefs. From my notes the SI interval is usually around 40 minutes (deep wreck followed by shallow reef) which is perfect and gives you plenty of NDL on 2nd dive without spending too much time on the surface. Molasses reef is beautiful and has plenty of fish. Small reef sharks sometimes pass by but you’re more likely to see nurse sharks, turtles and green eels. There are plenty of smaller fish like yellow tail and parrot fish hanging under the ledges. French reef is also nice and has a lot of cave-like formations that allow for easy swim-thru’s.
Note- When looking at the schedule they list 5 boats on top and 3 boats on the bottom row (Destiny, Serenity, Santana). These 3 boats are the ones located on the Ocean Divers side so make sure you go to the proper check-in.
Cons-
The boats are packed, and the “shallow boats” (2 shallow reefs) appear more packed. Maybe because of snorklers also?
They only have AL80 tanks and dives are about 45 minutes in the water. You will have a lot of air left over, especially on the shallow reefs.
They have deep reefs and walls (like conch wall) but they don't usually go in the morning. I dont know why.
Pros-
They are really about customer service. When our group of 5 did AOW a couple of years ago we showed up for the 1st day of dives (PPB & Navigation) and we had the small island hopper all to ourselves at no added cost!
Another time I went by myself for a midweek dive and when arrived I found out that I had a dive guide just for myself. The rest of the boat was filled with divers from a scuba club in Georgia.
Even though the boats are packed, they are large and you have plenty of room to move about. They splash groups at different times and as soon as you get back on the boat after the dive they walk you to your seat, so the rear of the boat stays clear of equipment/divers.
Overall they're great and it's nice to have a guide when going by myself and diving with an insta-buddy
