Recommendations for dive boat in Key Largo

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2scubas2go

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Location
Saratoga Springs, NY
My wife and I are newbies to diving. We passed our OW cert this past August (2 fresh water and 4 ocean dives). With two small kids, it's tough finding time to go diving. So I'm planning a trip to Key Largo in January (no kids!!). I've been searching through many threads, but haven't really come to any conclusions on dive package. We are looking for a small boat (no cattleboats) that is accustomed to new divers. We're more interested in diving areas with lots of marine life, rather than hitting the deep dives (Duane or Bibb). Just something to get more practice, with lots to see. Does anyone have recommendations (or positive experiences) with dive boats that cater to the less experienced?
 
2scubas2go, here's my recommendation..... Island Ventures, Capt. Brian Berry. www.islandventure.com

They are truly "no stress" diving specialists in Key Largo, and know how to cater to students and newly certified divers. My Dive Instructor and I take classes out with them all the time and we've always been pleased. Even when we had a DCS related injury, they hurried back to the dock, had EMS already waiting, and then took the rest of us back out for our second dive. Their prices are also cheaper than the average for K.L.

Good luck!!!
 
Don't worry about the 'inexperienced' angle- as posted above, Key largo can be totatlly stress free- reef dives are shallow and there is often no worry with current etc- and tons of fishies.

I am off again in a week or so and will post a report when I get back- I am diving with silent world- samllish boat- but not a six-pack- they do 10 dives (5 trips) for 189 pp.
I usually go with a much larger "cattle" boat, but I like their operation and have never found them to be cattle-esque. I'm just trying someone new this time.

enjoy!
 
I just went out with Florida Keys Dive Center and dove the Spiegel Grove. I LOVED IT!!! I've been out with a lot of different dive operators in Largo and they are by far the BEST!!! The owner took such good care of us and that was with two other "groups" diving that day. He made sure that we knew what to expect and what their procedures were. Never had a better experience. Plus, they have a buy one get one free coupon in the Entertainment book worth $40. Great value, great people, great diving. You can't go wrong with FL Keys Dive Center. A++++++++
(Do you think I liked them???) :)
 
For new divers I would suggest Blue Water Divers. Brent's on the board and will see you have great dives to match your expirience. Just MHO.
 
2scubas2go:
My wife and I are newbies to diving. We passed our OW cert this past August (2 fresh water and 4 ocean dives). With two small kids, it's tough finding time to go diving. So I'm planning a trip to Key Largo in January (no kids!!). I've been searching through many threads, but haven't really come to any conclusions on dive package. We are looking for a small boat (no cattleboats) that is accustomed to new divers. We're more interested in diving areas with lots of marine life, rather than hitting the deep dives (Duane or Bibb). Just something to get more practice, with lots to see. Does anyone have recommendations (or positive experiences) with dive boats that cater to the less experienced?
I highly recomend Capt Slate's Dive Center. The Creature Feature on Fridays is Great.
 
I had a great time with Silent World also..... and for $189pp 5days 2tanks each, was a great price. The one thing I'd like to mention to you is most of the dive sites in Key Largo are shallow, the boat will usually anchor off and open the "pool" up. You need to make sure you know the name of your boat and maybe even brush up on your navigation skills. Captain Bob was really great about telling us exactly how to get to the best spots on the reef of the day, he also would ask everyone where they wanted to go for the day every morning. The City of Washington was jamming with life, loads of friendly nurse sharks swimming around (harmless if you don't try to hitch a ride on their fins) one big mother of a Jew fish (this thing was almost as big as me) and tons of little life everywhere. Hopefully KeyLargoBrent will chime in and give you some great advice (I've only been there once). I can't remeber if he has a charter boat or not, guess we'll wait and see.... best luck you ya'll, I had a great time down there....

Cheers,
Vickie
 
Thank you all for your feedback!! This is exactly what I was looking for. I guess I need to start calling each of these and try to make a decision. I looked over all their homepages, and they all look good.

BTW, just a minor correction to CBulla, Scuba-do's webpage is actually www.scuba-do.com. scubado.com belongs to a web page developer (or something close to that). :)
 
Seriously, look at Scuba Do (www.scuba-do.com). Great boat and unbelievable people. If you have any questions, please send me a private message and I would be happy to help.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/
https://xf2.scubaboard.com/community/forums/cave-diving.45/

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