your favorite dive shop in the upper keys?

[bradlw]

Looking forward to my first trip back down to the keys in quite a while. Heading to Key Largo next month.
I'm inclined to want to drop into several shops to browse for nothing in particular.
But my wife's tolerance for such things is low. So planning to make the most of one or two stops. what's considered to be the biggest/ best stocked/best prices shop down there?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I know there is a HUGE Divers Direct right next to the Holiday Inn. That’s the one I’ve heard folks talk the most about.

I’ve truthfully never been in any of the shops in KL apart from Horizon Divers, which focuses on charters, instructions, and all manner of fills. While they sell gear, the equipment part of the shop is very small. Not exactly what you are looking for.

Link to the Divers Direct on Key Largo:

https://www.diversdirect.com/m/key-largo-dive-shops

They certainly think they are the largest, which they probably are. This seems more like the type of dive shop you are wanting to visit.

From their website:

Key Largo's Largest and Best-Stocked Dive Shop​

Here is where it all began back in 1984, and although there may be many other SCUBA dive shops in the Florida Keys, none compare with this Divers Direct Super Store. We have thousands of items to fit your snorkeling and diving equipment needs. From a wide range of diving regulators, masks, buoyancy compensators, and SCUBA suits to specialty items and full SCUBA packages. This Dive Shop is the largest and friendliest of all dive stores in the area, no wonder we have been the favorite Florida Keys dive shop for many years. You won't find all this excellence in other shops in Key Largo. We're your one-stop shop to get you in the water! Visit us today… Located steps from Key Largo Community Park, home of the largest pickleball complex Key Largo and the Keys, we also carry a great selection of pickleball gear.



Another suggestion. On the drive down, if you have time you might also want to stop at Force-E in either Riviera Beach or Boynton Beach. Those two shops are very well stocked and are not too far off of I-95. About 10 minutes off of the interstate for both shops.

Riviera Beach Scuba Shop - Force-E Scuba Center

Riviera Beach's Locals Dive Shop since 1976. We treat our customers like we run our business, like family. Dive Like a Local.

www.force-e.com

Boynton Beach Scuba Shop - Force-E Scuba Center

Boynton Beach's Locals Dive Shop since 1976. We treat our customers like we run our business, like family. Dive Like a Local.

www.force-e.com

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

There are a couple marine thrift stores in Key Largo that you can find an assortment of things you probably dont need. Both are bayside and only a couple miles from each other. If traveling from Ft Lauderdale there is a huge marine thrift store just north of the airport.

 

[bradlw]

There are a couple marine thrift stores in Key Largo that you can find an assortment of things you probably dont need. Both are bayside and only a couple miles from each other. If traveling from Ft Lauderdale there is a huge marine thrift store just north of the airport.

hey, she likes thrift stores! Maybe that will work!
I'll look for those
I'd like to start equipping them with some of their own gear. Maybe some lightly used BC's could be found there!

 

[NothingClever]

Most definitely not in the Keys and I’m not sure if Pompano Beach is within reach on this trip but DGX at Home - Official Site is the East Pole of the dive gear planet.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Most definitely not in the Keys and I’m not sure if Pompano Beach is within reach on this trip but DGX at Home - Official Site is the East Pole of the dive gear planet.

I love DGX. I spend more with them than any other shop. But they don’t really have a traditional ‘shop’ being a mail order operation. No show room to see gear. So keep that in mind.

 

[chrisjur]

I love DGX. I spend more with them than any other shop. But they don’t really have a traditional ‘shop’ being a mail order operation. No show room to see gear. So keep that in mind.

Good point for the OP. I wouldn't recommend going out of the way because of this.

One thing I will add, however, is that if you want to see any gear or try something on, they will gladly pull it out from the back and allow you to inspect it or try it on.

 

[bradlw]

Last year I visited an outdoor shop like this in Salt Lake City. A competitor for something like REI. No showroom...well they did have a small storefront with a very few things out...mainly just decoration though... with several computers set up. You could go in and browse the web site on the computers, then give them a list of what you wanted to see or try on. A few minutes later it would be at the window for you. Interesting idea

 

[NothingClever]

Heroine junkies aren’t picky about decor and ambiance.

I meant divers…

Oh, well - same thing.

 

[russ805]

Last year I visited an outdoor shop like this in Salt Lake City. A competitor for something like REI. No showroom...well they did have a small storefront with a very few things out...mainly just decoration though... with several computers set up. You could go in and browse the web site on the computers, then give them a list of what you wanted to see or try on. A few minutes later it would be at the window for you. Interesting idea

I think the store you mentioned in SLC is Backcountry.com, you order at the desk and they pull items from the warehouse and allow you to try on before you buy. They have great deals, always have a 20% coupons floating online and have a military discount, can’t say anything negative about this company.