We are looking for the BEST dive sites on Key Largo in March

[NCDavid]

So my Daughter and I will be diving out of Key Largo in March 2022. I have over 1,000 dives and She is over 600 dives. We have done most of our diving in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. We also dove Cozumel, Maldives, Grand Cayman and Roatan. Can any one tell us where the BEST dive sights would be in Key Largo. Only tell me your favorite dive sights. We would also love to do some lobstering. Please tell me where and who we go out with on this. As far as diving goes, we will use Rainbow Reef, since we are staying at the Marriott Courtyard on Key Largo. Please give us your best experience. Thanks. Aruba Bob

If you have any boating experience you can rent a boat at John pennekamp State park 1/2 day or full day and go to those dive sites yourself. You can rent tanks/gear at the park. We did the Spiegel Grove /Molasses reef/ North dry Rock and we had a great time The dive sites are easy to locate using any boating Gps app on your phone and mooring balls are provided at the sites so you can easily tie off to. This was our first time going out on our own and highly recommend it.

 

[arubabob1]

That sounds like a awesome time, but my wife will also be along and she is a non diver and gets motion sick very easy. So we was going to do 2 dives in the morning and then chill with her. Since we are at the Courtyard, it will be pretty easy to jump on the dive boat, since its right there. And than should be back around noon. And I know we have been very spoiled from all the places we have dove, but my Daughter will be done with Nursing School, so this is her last Spring break. We thought it would be a nice trip for all of us. And we would like to add 1 more place on our dive list. I own a snorkel company in Aruba, and my Nephew certified us in Aruba 10 years ago. He spends a lot of time in the Keys, and he just told us that we really need to go and check it out. So we will go and check it out. I am use to 82 degree water in Aruba, so I think I am going to get my eyes open on the water temp!!

 

[NCDavid]

That sounds like a awesome time, but my wife will also be along and she is a non diver and gets motion sick very easy. So we was going to do 2 dives in the morning and then chill with her. Since we are at the Courtyard, it will be pretty easy to jump on the dive boat, since its right there. And than should be back around noon. And I know we have been very spoiled from all the places we have dove, but my Daughter will be done with Nursing School, so this is her last Spring break. We thought it would be a nice trip for all of us. And we would like to add 1 more place on our dive list. I own a snorkel company in Aruba, and my Nephew certified us in Aruba 10 years ago. He spends a lot of time in the Keys, and he just told us that we really need to go and check it out. So we will go and check it out. I am use to 82 degree water in Aruba, so I think I am going to get my eyes open on the water temp!

The water temperature was 72f on 2/18. I recommend a 5mm for comfort.. I've done RR divers before and it was a great experience they have many dive sites to choose from. Also keep an eye on the weather (wind) and choose the best day to go out. Have fun.

 

[Shabaday]

For 72 degree water at least a 5mil. We were in West Palm and it was 73/74 We all wore 5mil and by the second dive we were cold. The air temp was cold and the wind was blowing so bring a wind proof poncho or something like that to throw over you during surface interval. That is when we all got cold

 

[arubabob1]

Thanks for all the great info. I really appreciate that. Aruba Bob

 

[Cycling]

Thanks for all the great info. I really appreciate that. Aruba Bob

So where did you end up going diving? What would you recommend?

Side note, are you the Aruba Bob who runs snorkel trips out of Savaneta beach in Aruba? Dove with Stuart many years ago (13 years?) and he's the one who recommended me to get certified scuba diving...

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Molasses Reef Key Largo is the best reef in the Keys IMO.

 

[Sophie Diver]

If you are experienced divers you will likely be disappointed with Rainbow Reef. If you like cattle boats and following an inexperienced guide around, short dive times, and not lobstering then stay with RR.
If you are already booked at the Marriot and want a close shop then I would pick Horizon Divers over Rainbow Reef every time.
I recommend Conch Republic Divers just a few miles south for lobstering, experienced staff and better dive sites.

 

[Doc Harry]

The aren't any good dive sites in Florida. Because it's Florida.

There many other places around the world where the local people are actually nice, the food is cheap and good, the diving is better, and overall will be cheaper than Florida.

 

[FullThrottle]

So my Daughter and I will be diving out of Key Largo in March 2022. I have over 1,000 dives and She is over 600 dives. We have done most of our diving in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. We also dove Cozumel, Maldives, Grand Cayman and Roatan. Can any one tell us where the BEST dive sights would be in Key Largo. Only tell me your favorite dive sights. We would also love to do some lobstering. Please tell me where and who we go out with on this. As far as diving goes, we will use Rainbow Reef, since we are staying at the Marriott Courtyard on Key Largo. Please give us your best experience. Thanks. Aruba Bob

At that time of year the outside reefs will have the best visibility because calm days are few and far between in winter. If you like deep wrecks, you've gotten some solid recommendations. For reefs, French has some cool caves but not as much coral as molasses. Personally I'd rather dive Elbow Reef than either of those, or the deep side of Carysfort. Those locations may not be available from big dive ops. The best reefs in Key Largo depends on what you want to see: healthy coral and lots of fish, or deep wrecks and big critters.
Benwood is worth seeing and has resident turtles. Snapper Ledge... meh.
If the middle reefs have decent vis I like Christ of the Abyss and Horseshoe too.
Smaller dive ops may take you to some unnamed and unspoiled spots if you're lucky. There are a ton of good reefs with no mooring balls that very few people get to dive.