Key Largo Recommendation

[ceason]

Hello Everyone!

I'm looking for recommendations for Key Largo lodging and diving. We will be there December 8th to 16th. My wife isn't certified yet but she likes to snorkel. If there is a good option it would be great for her to take discovery scuba. She took openwater class 12ys ago but never completed open water. The instructor scared her This past summer she did scuba at Wazee Lake and I hope to get her certified next summer
Is there any shore dive / snorkel locations in Key Largo? From reading online it seems that everything is by boat We will be taking at least a couple boat trips but we both really like to explore from shore and not being on someones schedule. The Sunset House in the Caymans was perfect for this, but I don't know if Key Largo has something similiar.

Also which shops have the small six-pack boats and which are the "cattle" boats? Any places to stay away from?

How about restaurant choices? Nothing fancy just a nice place to hang out with good food.

 

[ctmax]

Hello Everyone!

I'm looking for recommendations for Key Largo lodging and diving. We will be there December 8th to 16th. My wife isn't certified yet but she likes to snorkel. If there is a good option it would be great for her to take discovery scuba. She took openwater class 12ys ago but never completed open water. The instructor scared her This past summer she did scuba at Wazee Lake and I hope to get her certified next summer
Is there any shore dive / snorkel locations in Key Largo? From reading online it seems that everything is by boat We will be taking at least a couple boat trips but we both really like to explore from shore and not being on someones schedule. The Sunset House in the Caymans was perfect for this, but I don't know if Key Largo has something similiar.

Also which shops have the small six-pack boats and which are the "cattle" boats? Any places to stay away from?

How about restaurant choices? Nothing fancy just a nice place to hang out with good food.

PM KeyLargoBrent http://www.bluewaterdiver.net/ . We were there last year, He took care of our Advanced divers, as well as the snorkelers in our group, and brought everyone back with a smile. He was able to set us up with lodging as well. Great operation, You WILL not be disappointed.

 

[RonFrank]

This question get's asked at least twice a month, and answered. You may want to do a search! :11:

But I'll give my standard reply.

BlueWaterDivers is a great OP. 10pack boat! Actually the boat holds maybe closer to 15 but he limits the groups to 10. Plenty of space. Brent and Capt. Marvel are the owners, and they are great guys. Brent is a fully certified instructor, so you *might* be able to get him to do a discover Scuba for the wife.

http://www.bluewaterdiver.net/

There is very little shore diving in the Largo area. The reefs are in general about 5 miles out. There are a number of cattle boat snorkeling Ops that are somewhat inexpensive.

I've stayed at Marina Del Mar through Brent in the past. A bit dated, but clean, has small frigs, microwave, the bed was comfortable, the pool was awesome with a bar~ restaurant right there, and it's right on the channel. Prices are in the lower end range.

We have stayed at Ocean Pointe as well. They are a bit more expensive, but they are condo's with full Kitchen, Washer~dryer, and all the luxury of home.

For food, definitely go to The Fish House. Great food!
http://www.fishhouse.com/

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

Marina del Mar

I use Ocean Divers, a cattle boat but a NICE cattle boat

Larry Gates (larrygates.com) is a good private instructor for one-on-one certification at reasonable rates (PADI); he also gives guided dives

 

[ceason]

Thank you for the quick replies and info

I know this is a frequent topic and I have read many other threads but I almost never post anything and wanted to see if there was any shorediving. I freedive more than scuba, but don't get me wrong I scuba dive too and have been since 94.

So far I have:
Dive Ops:
http://www.bluewaterdiver.net/
http://www.oceandivers.com/

Instruction:
http://larrygates.com

Hotel:
http://www.marinadelmarkeylargo.com/

Food:
http://www.fishhouse.com/

Any must see spots ??

Please keep the posts/info coming!

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

No shore diving in key largo --- the reefs are miles away

surface attractions are few --- consider John Pennekamp park (nice aquarium)

Underwater sites --- anywhere on Molasses reef, the Christ statue
wrecks like the Spiegel Grove are not for beginners, but the Benwood wreck is good beginner wreck

French reef has good swim throughs but less life

 

[annasea]

If you're looking for a 6-pack, you can try Quiescence. I didn't get a chance to dive with them but they came highly recommended. I did dive with Horizon Divers and quite liked them.

 

[MsParamedic]

When you are ready to book your dive trip, call the shop and make sure you are comfortable with them. Many of the dive operations have agreements with hotels in the area, and can very often offer discounted room rates.

There are a number of operations that operate larger boats and an equal number operating the smaller ones. Many of the operators will take snorkelers out with the divers, so that maybe a good option for you and your wife. We, like many of other dive operators, schedule the DSD courses on demand, and there is a good chance that your wife maybe the only student with the instructor!

Have a great time while you're visiting us in the Keys!!

Pat

 

[ceason]

Thanks very much MsParamedic and Annasea. I definitely will call the dive shops later this week and see what can be arranged. I've also read some good posts about Silent World and will be sure to give them a call.

 

[RonFrank]

I've also read some good posts about Silent World and will be sure to give them a call.

There is really not a lot of complaints on most of the DiveOps in the Keys.

BlueWaterDivers will likely offer a Discover Scuba, so talk with Brent. They may also combine divers and snorkelers if they don't have plans to do a deeper wreck.

Another great Op is Conch Republic. They are a bit farther south.

You will need to decide mainly what size boats you want to be on, and with how many divers. Larger boats and larger ops generally mean more divers. Smaller boats like BlueWaterDivers and Quiescence generally offer a bit more flexibility, very personal service, and less divers. I've done dives with Brent where there were only three divers on the boat. On that sized boat, that makes for a very roomy and comfortable situation.

Ops that run the bigger Newton boats in the 40ft+ range are generally going to have a bit more divers on board, and may not be quite as flexible.

I hope you get good weather. It's not unusual for conditions to blow out that time of year! :shakehead