FL KEYS

[Pixurman]

I will be in the FL Keys at the end of March '01. I've never been there, so I am looking for any recommendations for charters and motels. I't sjust me and the granddaughter (16). Looking for safe/economical boats and clean/economical motels.

Thanks,

 

[Natasha]

Hi Phil,
I bet you'd enjoy John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park. Lots to see there, clean and a full service place. It's 37.00 for a tank dive. Located in Key Largo. Also, look into Amoray Dive shop and resort. You can stay there and dive and it's a 5 star Padi operation.:sunny:
Have fun!

 

[herman]

Phil,

Here is a place I stayed last May. http://fkeyhaven.com/ Really nice people and they are diver friendly (drying racks, rinse tanks and the like). The place is 60's vintage but clean and well kept,most of the rooms have a refrig and stove. They are about 3 miles from the dive center they have package deals with and the dive operation was very cooperative with we. Several people bailed out on the afternoon dive leaving only 2 of us, we went anyway! Nice big boats, 15 to 20 min ride and pretty reefs. A dive site not to miss is "Christ of the Abyss", it's a 10 ft or so statue in 30 ft of water surrounded by a really pretty reef. Thinking about going back there in April or May myself. By the way, this is near the John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park that Natasha was talking about.

 

[Triton]

Herman,

Looking at Key Havens web site, it doesn't look bad at All.

My sister and myself will be going to the Keys sometime in mid May and I believe one of your earlier posts stated that you were really happy with Key Haven and Tavernier dive center. Right now we are looking at going over there and getting our AOW certification, but unfortunately, when it comes to traveling, I am completely clueless, which brings me to a couple of questions.

Would it be better to make the diving and lodging arrangements through the dive center or should I be trying to find a good travel agent that could set up a package that includes air, lodging and diving???

If the answer is to go with a travel agent, does anyone know a good one that I could talk to.

 

[herman]

Hello Triton,
At least for Frank's I would either email or call them and set up the room. They will handle the dive arrangements if you book it thru them which is what I did. As for air, I would go thru a travel agent or the airlines themselves (I use a travel agent, same cost and they handle the headaches). Franks is by no means a 4 star place but all I require is a clean room at a good price. The grounds are very clean and they have a nice pool. You can also fish off their dock if you desire..

 

[Benthic I]

in Key Largo. They operate 3 boats, each limited to 6 divers at a time, and offer fairly personalized service. They'll divide up the divers among the boats according to the type of diving that's wanted so you'll not end up at a site your not comfortable with.

The one downside to them is that if the seas are rough, their smaller boats make for a bumpy ride.

Check them out here:
http://www.keylargodiving.com

 

[Pixurman]

Great info from you all. I really appreciate it. I did see a link for the Tavernier Dive Center and it looks good too. The more info and web links the better IMO.

and safe diving to you all,

 

[Warhammer]

Anyone know what the typical dive conditions are in the keys from say mid Feb to the first of March?

 

[herman]

Warhammer,

Here is a link you may find useful. It is real time data, air temp, water temp and the like for Molasses reef which is near Key Lago. http://seaboard.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=mlrf1

 

[Benthic I]

Here's my Key Largo trip reports:
http://home.swbell.net/jtreat2/Diving/Florida_April_00/Fla_Trip_April_00.htm

http://home.swbell.net/jtreat2/Diving/Florida_May_00/Fla_Trip_May_00.htm

This is the best site for info about dive sites along the Keys and one of the best dive related sites I've ever seen:
http://www.flkeysdiving.com/

And some more just cuz I can:
http://www.tavernierdivecenter.com/
http://www.scuba-do.com/
http://www.dolphindivers.com/index.htm
http://oceandivers.com/js-index.htm
http://www.conchrepublicdivers.com/
http://www.thefloridakeys.com/fantasea/
http://florida-keys.fl.us/upperkeysdive/

Should say that I don't necessarily recommend these, just happen to have the links.