Keys in October: is it a good idea?

MrSpock · Aug 21, 2009

Hi from NorCal!

I'm planning my diving vacation for first 2 weeks of October and wonder if it's a good idea to go diving in Florida. I know it's a peak of hurricane season, but what about time between storms? What's visibility/currents before or after the storm? Overall, is it a good idea to spend my precious vacation days there in October?

The idea was to stay on Key Largo and dive wrecks with 2 days trip to Venice beach.

Any input much appreciated!!

lmorin · Aug 21, 2009

My wife and I go there in Sept./Oct. It's low season. There are relatively few people there. We like it. Water is still warm. Vis is about the same as we have experienced in Dec./Jan or May/Jun. On the other hand, it can certainly be awful if the timing is wrong. We typically wait until the last minute to make airline/hotel reservations, checking the weather beforehand.

MrSpock · Aug 21, 2009

Imorin, Basically that's exactly my plan. Another concern is if there is gonna be enough people to get a boat out... Are there any sites divable from the shore?

Speargirl · Aug 21, 2009

Sillent World has been known to take 2 people out on their boats. I believe Ocean Divers will do the same.

pickens_46929 · Aug 21, 2009

No real shore diving. During low season there are always at least a couple boats going out here or there, you just have to call around.

Silent World is awesome. They've got a few boats and will take the smaller boat if they only have a few people. Think they have a new one now in Islamorada a bit smaller and farther down the Keys.

Island Ventures also goes out with smaller number of people as well. Think you need to get 4 people together to go out which is pretty easy to do most days.

paddler3d · Aug 21, 2009

You can also rent a boat down there. Call around for deals. When we were there last October, there were no shortages of mooring balls. We got to dive the Spiegel Grove by ourselves. Same with the Duane, Bibb and Eagle.

If you know how to pilot a boat, don't discount this concept.

MrSpock · Aug 21, 2009

I know guys from Silent World. I'been diving with them couple years ago - great experience. Especially when we were the only boat left the harbor right after they lifted the storm warning and everybody else cancelled their dives..... We were the only boat moored at the Spiegel!

So, if there is a hurricane during my 2 weeks there, how many days I'll be grounded? Roughly, of course. I know it's impossible to predict, but on average...

Buoyant1 · Aug 21, 2009

We're going in late October this year, we usually go the two weeks that split Thanksgiving, but the weather has been questionable the past two years (windy mostly)

Conch Republic usually as a bunch of people going out every day...don't forget about them!

MrSpock · Aug 21, 2009

Please forgive my ignorance, but what's "Conch Republic"? I tried to search but the term is too vague.

micklock · Aug 21, 2009

MrSpock:
Please forgive my ignorance, but what's "Conch Republic"? I tried to search but the term is too vague.

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Keys in October: is it a good idea?

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