Diving recommendations - Ft. Lauderdale/Keys

My dive buddy and I are planning a Blackbeard Cruise for late February and want to hit up some diving in the Keys afterwards. We'll be flying into/out of Fort Lauderdale and plan on renting a car after the cruise to drive down to the Keys. Can anyone give us some good recommendations on charters or some good shore diving around the keys or would anyone want to show two Wisconsites around? I know he would like to dive the Christ of the Deep statue by Key Largo, otherwise anywhere with good diving and a decent price would be helpful. We'll have all our own gear with us too.

EllyBell we have 3 boats at Atlantis Dive Center we visit the Statue a couple of times a week.
http://captainslate.com/
Becka

I'd like to point out that Slate's Atlantis Dive Center is the CLOSEST dive operator to the mainland...spend less time in traffic!

Hi, we do the Statue Monday AM, Thursday PM, Friday PM, Sunday PM plus whenever we get requests.

We are used to wisconsinites, we wouldnt force you to wear a wetsuit even though well be freezing

One of my captains cut his teeth on Blackbeards, you will have a blast.

Give us a call or PM for the best sites in the Keys!

Thanks guys. Once we figure out what weekend we'll be there then probably call around to get some prices. Looks like we will be in the Keys from Friday-Tuesday. Any recommendations on cheap places to stay since we'll be spending most of our money on diving.