Prefer MIA or FLL to go to Key Largo?

[schwinnfin]

Speaking of afternoon dives: Do all dive ops have afternoon dives? I'm looking at Rainbow Reef and Conch divers, though still doing research. I'd kind of like dives with opportunities for picture taking (bottom time, conditions).

Try the HMS Minnow. John will go when you want to go and give you all the time you want. The boat is a six pack and is not crowded most of the time. My buddy and I have been diving with the Minnow for years and have always had a great experience.

 

[schwinnfin]

Try the HMS Minnow. John will go when you want to go and give you all the time you want. The boat is a six pack and is not crowded most of the time. My buddy and I have been diving with the Minnow for years and have always had a great experience.

And I love your quote.

 

[DebbyDiver]

Speaking of afternoon dives: Do all dive ops have afternoon dives? I'm looking at Rainbow Reef and Conch divers, though still doing research. I'd kind of like dives with opportunities for picture taking (bottom time, conditions).

I've been diving mostly with Conch Republic Divers when in the upper Keys, since they were a new operation many years ago. I like diving with them so much that when the owners opened an unrelated business in Key Largo, I asked them to hire me. Although I've moved on (I live in a motorhome and like to travel), they are still my personal first choice whenever I visit the Keys again.

If you have time to dive Fort Lauderdale, and you really, really should, go out with Sea Experience at Bahia Mar. They are hands down my favorite dive op ever. Tell 'em I said hello.

 

[ScubaJill]

I've been diving mostly with Conch Republic Divers when in the upper Keys, since they were a new operation many years ago. I like diving with them so much that when the owners opened an unrelated business in Key Largo, I asked them to hire me. Although I've moved on (I live in a motorhome and like to travel), they are still my personal first choice whenever I visit the Keys again.

If you have time to dive Fort Lauderdale, and you really, really should, go out with Sea Experience at Bahia Mar. They are hands down my favorite dive op ever. Tell 'em I said hello.

I'll check them out when I'm in Fort Lauderdale!

 

[DebbyDiver]

If you don't already have a place to stay, they have a hotel/dive package right on the beach. Walk to everything.

 

[Ray and Pam]

Been reading the keys threads for awhile now, looking for an alternative dive location to go to between caribbean dive trips that is only a couple hours away, cheap flights, and good viz diving.


We're stuck with MIA airport, bought tics about a month ago for 19 - 25 Oct, arriving 9pm and returning 11am.

Never been to the keys or fla for diving.

Arriving so late should we spend the nite in Miami and rent a car the next day or get the shuttle ($70 one way) to like Key Largo and then get a car?


Looks like staying in Key Largo, Islamorada or near Looe Key reef area, would be best to be close to the best diving? undecided, suggestions?


We prefer slow afternoon dives with shallow reefs with soft corals and lots of fish , don't need deep, wrecks or currents.


From pics it seems the water is quite dark until you get to the reefs, is this correct or are there areas along shore where it clears up?

 

[gr8jab]

Everyone has their own preferences about logistics, but a quick look at the rates and drive times might make your decision easier. We are going to Key Largo in October, arriving late, sleeping in MIA, and renting a car and driving to Key Largo the next morning. For me, this is the difference:

Shuttle to KL ($140 for 2), plus rental car in KL ($174) = $314
Rental car from MIA = $262

Plus, drive from MIA to KL is only 1hr 11min.
Plus, shuttle is 'group', whereas rental car is private.
Plus, shuttle leaves on their schedule, not mine.
Plus, car rental is closed on weekends in KL, making timing harder.

Of course, there are other considerations. Traffic and city driving can be intimidating if you are not comfortable with it.

 

[Ray and Pam]

After more googling

Double checked and it's $70 for two one way to Key Largo. Although our scheduled arrival in MIA is 8:45 pm and their last shuttle leaves at 9pm....will have contact them on that.

Cautious about renting car and driving to keys that late not knowing the area.

Seems most hotels have 3-4 pm checkin and we want to be on the afternoon boat with our bags unpacked in our room. Don't know how strict the checkin time is. Will also have to check on checking in that late.

 

[DebbyDiver]

Only lodging check out is enforced. They don't care when you arrive. Just let them know you'll be arriving late so they save your room. The only exceptions may be some of the so called "mom and pop" roach motels who want to go to bed early. Most lodging has 24 hour front desk service.

There's only one main road in and one main road out. There's no problem driving there any time of day or night. Later at night you'll be avoiding the onslaught of traffic and the inevitable backups.

Upper Keys has best diving and best rates and the most dive operators. I personally like diving with Conch Republic, but there are several other dive ops who are probably just as good. Brenda at Conch can help you find good-priced lodging. You may find lodging in Looe Key to be very spendy. Also I've just always had bad luck with bad visibility down there for some reason.

 

[sjoliat]

Another diver firmly in the FLL and Conch Republic camp.
Flew in to MIA twice and said never again. Airport itself was nuts, and while offsite rental cars might not seem like a big deal, it becomes one when you are suddenly running late due to Florida traffic and construction detours have you losing you mind trying to find a gas station before you return the car as well as trying to find the rental facility itself. Possibly easier now in the age of smartphones, but definitely sucked 10+ years ago.
As for the diving, after several trips out of Key Largo I tried Conch Republic based on recommendations here. First class operation and they don"t go up to Molasses reef which IMHO was just way too crowded on the weekends.
I seriously need to get back there.