Singles Wrecks & Reefs Key Largo Dive-In: Nov 12-14

[DandyDon]

I have been chatting with a few members on SB about this idea, and now I have the basics details lined out to offer - for less than Cozumel!

I've done this trip alone and as a group leader both, so I think I can handle things for anyone who's never been. Or if you have - I know that there are lots of good operators on the Key, but I hope you'll like my choices. I have my plane ticket bought and a few rental cars reserved, so I'm going to be there to coordinate - 1% hurricane chance notwithstanding.


Wrecks: {Must have or rent computer!}

If you are AOW or equivalent, I have some sites for you. My all time favorite dive operator, Tavernier Dive Center, has a wonderful operation, 80 or 100 cf Nirtox tanks with custom blends - for a lot less than Coz, and will do the Eagle, Duanne, and the Bibb...

http://www.tavernierdivecenter.com/

I have booked 2 wreck dives Friday morning, 2 more Saturday morning, and a wreck and a reef that afternoon - diving all three wrecks. Great fish life on interesting wrecks, and I know you'll love this award winning operator. I buy a custom deli sandwich the night before, store it first in my room fridge then the boat cooler, and eat it on the way in for a good head call and a turn around.

Tavernier Dive Center's number is 800-787-9797; tell them you're with Dandy Don Henderson, and book your spaces.

And I've been to the Grove with different operators, but my favorite is Scuba-Do. Capt Tony & Laurie are taking us Sunday morning for back to back dives on one of the biggest wrecks in US dive waters - 80 cf Nitorx custom blended for only 1/3 what's posted on their web site! Takes more than 2 dives to see it all, but it'll be great.

http://www.scuba-do.com/index.html

Scuba-Do's number is 800-516-0110.

Wreck Divers: Be sure to tell the operators if you want to dive Nitrox, what blend you want (I like 30%), and for TDC - whether you prefer lighter 80 cf AL tanks or bigger 100 cf Steel tanks.


Reefs:

If you're not AOW, or just rather spend more time diving reefs than you would deeper wrecks, we have Scuba-Do Friday morning and all day Saturday. They leave 30 minutes earlier than TDC, so I'll escort you over there for introductions both days before heading for TDC. And you'll love them.

Sunday morning we have their auxillary boat for the Reefs while their main boat goes to the Grove. Typical luck: Divers come back saying "Ooh, we liked this one better!" It'll develope.


Digs:

I have a cute little economy hotel picked out, with local charm and extra, free amenities one won't find at the sterile Holiday Inn, etc. It's still actually split, even though the two are adjacent, co-owned, operated from the same office by the same people, etc, so please take time to look over both. BTW, I really think the manatees will be back by then, and they're worth the trip alone for us in-landers, along with the paddleboats, kyacks, BBQ grills, etc.

Hungry Pelican: http://www.hungrypelican.com/

Sunset Cove: http://www.sunsetcoveflorida.com/guestbook.html


Oh yes, take 10% off of any room, with tiny rooms starting at $50 a night up to giant bungalows. Call 877-451-0705. Tell her you're with Dandy Don Henderson. {This was originally a bigger discount, but the gal who agreed to that doesn't work there anymore. And this can be confirmed only at check-in, as we have to have enough rooms. We will, but since I'm not guaranteeing the rooms, collecting the money, and making a commission, it's this way.}

These hotels are but a couple of blocks from a full service grocery, the biggest dive store in town, a liquor store, dollar store, etc.

Insurance?

DAN - Divers Alert Network: I hope everyone has it, or equivalent. Ph 800-446-2671

Travel Ins: Hurricane season is half the year in Florida; the rest is windy and/or cold. Still the best diving in the continental US. If you have to cancel because of a storm on the way, your airline may or may not charge you for rebooking the amount you paid. Ask the motel and operators about cancellation policies. I'm not going to worry about it.

Equipment: I like to see every diver carry a Safety Sausage, Storm Whistle, 2 CDs glued back to back for mirror signaling, and - 4 weight belt keepers in your dive bag, in case you have to use a belt. It happens, even if your BC is integrated.

Oct 19: Who's Coming So Far:
1-Blondey,
2-Down4fun,
3-Jjrichardson,
4-LeFlaneur,
5-Benncool
6-"Mary",
7-Plankspanker
8-Scubakevdm,
9-Stu_in_fl,
10-Suthnbelle,
11-Tiggrr,
12-V-Something
13-V-Something's freind
14-And Yours Truly

Oct 15 Update: The Sunday morning Wreck boat is full, and additional call-ins are being referred to Ocean Divers, a very depednable operator from the same dock, although a little higher priced. Friday & Satuday Wreck boats still open as are all Reef boats. Join the fun! :cheering:

thanks, don

PH 806-292-0009

[Scubakevdm]

I'm in! Let me kow if there's anything I can do to help Don.

[Scubakevdm]

Don, I wonder if this trip might be helpful to anyone who maybe has just finished their certification and was planning a dive trip to someplace like... well Cozumel, for instance? I wonder if there might be experienced divemasters, like me on this trip that might be able to help someone like that out?

[DandyDon]

Don, I wonder if this trip might be helpful to anyone who maybe has just finished their certification and was planning a dive trip to someplace like... well Cozumel, for instance? I wonder if there might be experienced divemasters, like me on this trip that might be able to help someone like that out?

Like from North Carolina...?

I asked on the other thread - do you want to dive wrecks with the AOWs, or go on the Reef boat and offer to help?

[suthnbelle]

Hey - I hope I can get at least one trip out to the wrecks. I've got my Nitrox and I'm taking a couple more specialties this weekend. By November I'll have 30 dives. Is 50 dives the magic number or something? I would defintely not push myself to do any dive I'm not ready for but we'll see what happens in November. Being on the reef boat will be fun too - I can always use some help to carry my tank (ha ha) - just kidding I carry all my own gear.

Don, pencil me in. You can't use permanent ink until I buy that plane ticket.

Mel

[DandyDon]

Hey - I hope I can get at least one trip out to the wrecks. I've got my Nitrox and I'm taking a couple more specialties this weekend. By November I'll have 30 dives. Is 50 dives the magic number or something? I would defintely not push myself to do any dive I'm not ready for but we'll see what happens in November. Being on the reef boat will be fun too - I can always use some help to carry my tank (ha ha) - just kidding I carry all my own gear.

Don, pencil me in. You can't use permanent ink until I buy that plane ticket.

Mel

Sounds good. I'm not handling any of the money, so you'll book with the Motel and Operators direct. The more Certs you have towards whatever SSI calls AOW the better.

Many operators like AOW or equivalent, and some of that is for insurance reasons. Tavernier will probably wave that if you're diving with a DM, and ScubaDo might - especially if you've been diving wrecks for 2 days with Tavernier.

Do you know Kev? Afre you sure you want do dive with him for 3 days? I think he's okay, but that's up to you. If you have to hit him or something, that's fine with me.

Now, these are 2 different Operators, so it's not like riding the Roller-Coasters at Disney World. You can do one one day, then another the next day, but that could get a little comlicated, maybe cost a little more.

I certainly hope other gals will go. An effort like this takes people supporting it and making it happen, though, rather than waiting to see if it's happening, then joining in late. If everyone waits on everyone else, then everyone is left waiting.

Hope you make it. You can book with Tavernier and the Motel now. Any bookings with ScubaDo need to wait until I have 2 to start a day's boat.

So, y'all do let me know what your plans are, so I can organize a picutre.

[suthnbelle]

Many operators like AOW or equivalent, and some of that is for insurance reasons. Tavernier will probably wave that if you're diving with a DM, and ScubaDo might - especially if you've been diving wrecks for 2 days with Tavernier.

Do you know Kev? Afre you sure you want do dive with him for 3 days? I think he's okay, but that's up to you. If you have to hit him or something, that's fine with me.

Don, I will have my SSI AOW by November. If I feel confident enough to do the wreck diving I'd like to give it a try. The main reason I took scuba was for the wreck diving so that has been my goal; however, I don't intend on pushing anything. I have a friend that did OW with me and has done these wrecks so I plan on talking to her. I'm going to invite her also to see if she wants to join the group.

No, I do not know Kev personally. Should I be worried? Oh no, maybe I need to do a background check on this guy before I go diving with him. Just kidding - i'm sure he's harmless. I'm pretty feisty so I think I can hold my own. You two seem like you have a great sense of humor which will make the trip fun/interesting I'm sure.

We do need to get some more people involved in this trip. You would think with all the SB members more people would be interested. Like I said, I'll mention it to some of my friends and see who i can round up. I'll keep you posted.

Mel

[simbrooks]

The profiles sound a touch aggressive with 4 deeper dives in one day. We might be interested, just have to see how money is nearer the time. Shouldnt need accom, but might only do the saturday dives. Went with TDC this last weekend for dives on the Eagle and Conch Wall & Reef - the boat was a little full, dont know what max cap should be, but i think we were a little tight to say the least. At least being this far in advance you can get a good idea on numbers. Do we have anything to worry about at that time regarding weather systems and fronts messing up the conditions??

[Scubakevdm]

I'm pretty feisty so I think I can hold my own.

Do you know Kev? ... If you have to hit him or something, that's fine with me.

Heeey! I think both operations have a "Don't hit the Kevins" policy. Anyway sounds like fun... I'll pass the word amongst the local Conch Divers, but I'm sure a quality trip like this will not suffer due to lack of interest.

[diverkristi]

Is this appropriate for a newbie with only 5 dives under her weight belt?

I was hoping to do the advanced cert, but had unexpected surgery 2 weeks ago. Weather will be a bit nippy here soon, and between surgery, business trips and a beach trip, it'll be October before I could do it. Thinking that'll be to nippy here.