Key West Dive Ops

[reefdiver1960]

Taken recommendations on dive ops in Key West Florida.
Thanks

 

[Boneisland Photo]

Captain's Corner... great people, great operation, nice vessels.

 

[Buoyant1]

I'll second Captains Corner!

You'll do better down in the Florida Conch Divers Forums though...LOT'S of Key's info down there!

 

[divemedic1316]

I have used Sub Tropic. The boat was basic, DM did not interact that much. Went to the barrier reef, depth 35 feet or so. Second dive was shallower. You should consider Key Largo. Key west has some spots but Largo has more. I would just head down and poke around at the operations.
How about an update as I am heading that way myself.

 

[divengolf]

I second the rec. to go to Key Largo instead. MUCH better diving. In Largo, I'd recommend Quiescence. Small boats- 6 divers per boat max. Very safety conscious.

In Key West, try Dive Key West. Bob runs a great op.

 

[Boneisland Photo]

I'll admit that the diving is better in Key Largo, but you've got to at least head down to Key West for the nightlife for one evening. As a former resident, I can tell you that the best way to see the island is to stay in "Old Town" and walk the back streets. Check out the "Tree Bar" at Rick's too.

 

[reefdiver1960]

THanks. I dove in Key Largo last year. I just like Key West.

 

[reefdiver1960]

Dive Medic, when are you headed to Key West?

I have used Sub Tropic. The boat was basic, DM did not interact that much. Went to the barrier reef, depth 35 feet or so. Second dive was shallower. You should consider Key Largo. Key west has some spots but Largo has more. I would just head down and poke around at the operations.
How about an update as I am heading that way myself.

 

[Doc Harry]

I hate to be a sour-puss, but...

Don't waste your time with Key West. The diving is not very good. Key Largo is 100 times better and less expensive.

I've had very bad experiences with almost every dive op in Key West. Stuff like signing up for a wreck dive, but once underway the captain announces that he is turning the trip into a snorkel trip -- oh, yeah and no refunds or credit for future SCUBA trips.

Just say "NO" to Key West.

 

[Jandee]

We went to Key West last Christmas just because we had never been there and wanted to dive for a couple of days mid week. The dive operations take turns going out if there only a few divers in town so I didn't have a choice who I went with. The diving is not great, very shallow, cloudy, flat sand bottom, teeny tiny coral but I don't regret going. It's fun experiencing different places. There was a lot of stuff to do after diving, nightlife, history, shopping, and eating. This year I'm going back to Key Largo the week before Christmas and will dive with Ocean Divers. They will take a boat out when 2 divers sign up. I've never been there during the summer but imagine those boats can be real tight, but in winter there are no crowds, just a few divers on the boat. There are a few great wreck, the Duane is my favorite. The reef is OK, nothing like the Carib, but well worth the trip. Hotels are pretty cheap at this time of the year, and easly to get to. Little over an hour from Miami. Besides Key Largo is a nice place to go for a couple of days to escape the cold Wisconsin winters.