Advice on dive operators in Key Largo

[3BoyPapa]

New to SB--i want to start a thread and get advice on dive operators in Key Largo that are very good with families. My family is a group of 5 and we were certified last spring 2011. We have made about a dozen dives (local lakes and Grand Cayman) and are planning a trip to Key Largo in June.

While I did search and find some threads, I want to discuss operators specific to working with families.

What is the best board to post to?

Thanks

[iztok]

Best would be Florida Conch Divers sub-forum. Plenty of info there.

If you have 5 divers any six pack operation would do nicely as you would call the shots on where to go etc. I like Silent World but others are good as well.

[lewisevans]

welcome to the board!

I'd recommend that you ask again in the Florida Conch section of the board (Florida Conch Divers (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-conch-divers/)) but will recommend two shops that I have used numerous times each, Conch Republic Divers (http://www.conchrepublicdivers.com/) and Silent World (http://www.silentworld.com/). If you're looking for a smaller boat with more personal experience you might want to check out a shop that runs a six pack (no more than six passengers). Both Quiescence (http://keylargodiving.com/) and Key Largo Dive Center (http://www.keylargodivecenter.com/) only run six packs. Silent World also has a six pack so they may be able to help you as well. I haven't used either of the shops, however Quiescence has always gotten great reviews here on SB and SB's very own Mselenaous (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/mselenaous.html) works there and is always glad to any assistance.

[herbdb]

For a relatively inexperienced group, I would recommend Rainbow Reef. They do not charge extra for putting a dive guide in the water. I found this to be helpful on my first trips to the Keys.

[BettyRubble]

+1 for Conch Republic Divers and Silent World

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[3BoyPapa]

Thanks everyone! Your feedback and recommendations are very much appreciated!

[jar546]

Conch Republic Divers. I dove with them 3 times just last year (about 30+ dives) and could not ask for a better operator.

[Broct]

+1 (CRD) Conch Republic Divers

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[cudachaser]

I like Ocean Divers (http://www.oceandivers.com/)

[Incognegro]

I would recommend rainbow reef also, their dive packages include a guide, which comes out too the same price as other ops without guides. When I dove with them in Oct it was usually 4 divers per guide. And they have their own dive boats. Dive Key Largo, Islamorada, Florida Keys with Rainbow Reef Dive Center;scuba diving:diving, Florida keys, florida diving (http://www.rainbowreef.us/diveprices/index.html)

[Oldbear]

3BoyPapa,

Welcome to SB...I am glad you started this thread as I too am planning a trip to the Keys...go info here.

~ME~
:D

[Capt Gary]

3BoyPapa,

You'll get a lot of good advise here on SB. Just make sure you email or call the operators and make sure they understand your diving experience and needs. It's also important to see if they have any lodging specials they can offer....most do.
I'm sure you'll have a great dive vacation here in the Keys. Lately the weather has been great, having over 90+ ft of visibility. Hope that holds. In the meantime please check out and book mark our online DIVE CALENDAR (http://conch.scubaocity.com/index.cfm?go=divecalendar) with diving conditions. There you can see REAL-TIME what we're doing and also what the dive conditions were for previous days. There's also some videos of dives here in the area you might enjoy.

If I can answer any questions, even if you don't dive with us, please don't hesitate to ask.

PS...We get families in all the time diving with us. As a matter of fact we just had a family of 6 dive with us all last week.

Good Diving,

[3BoyPapa]

I love this site! you guys are awesome......we are well on our way to evaluating all of the recommendations and I am confident we will find a great operator for our trip.

[Garrobo]

I like Horizon Divers because of their boat and the Ramada nearby. It's a short walk from the hotel to the dive shop and you get a decent room for a good price. You might have to hire a DM to go with your pack but I like their attitude.

[Rescue Diver68]

I always use Conch Republic Divers. They are by far my favorite dive shop in Key Largo. Where are you staying?

[dkktsunami]

Another vote for Horizon Divers, also like Ocean Divers.

[3BoyPapa]

I always use Conch Republic Divers. They are by far my favorite dive shop in Key Largo. Where are you staying?

We have reservations for a property at Mariner's Club and will be driving to Key Largo, so we will have transportation. My wife and I have 3 teenage boys and wanted spacious accommodations and the ability to cook food for these guys. We have wetsuits, mask, fins, snorkel and hope to save our peanuts for a new piece of equipment this year --- wrist mount dive computers.

We like to do 2 tank dives and look at reefs, fish, and wrecks. Last year in the Cayman Islands, we dove with Seasports (Jim and Kevin) and they were awesome for us. We want another experience like that -- 6 pack, guide/DM, and a good, safe experience.

We are planning 3 dives while Key Largo and with a group of 5, this is costly for us, so we want a great experience.

I will take the advice and speak with the recommended operators.

thanks

[herbdb]

Look into one of the apartments at Amoray Dive Resort. This is exactly what you are looking for. They run a great dive operation too . Amoray Home Page (http://www.amoray.com/)

[scubadada]

Another vote for Horizon Divers, also like Ocean Divers.

+1 OD, extremely safe and reliable transportation to the wrecks and reefs.

[dkramer]

I have heard great things about Conch Republic & Silent World. I personally have had experience with Ocean Divers & was very pleased. THey offer a hotel package at Marina del Mar which is right next door.