Looe Key vs Key largo

[caruso]

If you've got a party of five divers and are diving the Adolphus Busch with Looe Key's 6-pac boat, then you might consider asking them to do a a wreck / reef combo.

Looe Key Dive center has been very accommodating with our reservations and they have said as much. Depending on how interesting the wreck is and if it's worth a repeat (based on what you posted it isn't) then we can do the second dive on a shallow reef which is probably a smart idea anyway considering we'll be doing a lot of deep wrecks several days in a row on this trip. Do you have a favorite spot to recommend?

 

[buckled plates]

If you're on the 6-pac boat, just ask the captain to avoid the fleet at the reef as much as possible. Looe Key can be magnificent and, on a good day, if you dive it right (SLOWLY), you can come into extraordinarily close range with a large variety of the most sought after species: goliath grouper, eagle rays, turtles, sharks, snook, tarpon, etc, etc. Although relatively small, the topography and variety and health of the marine life at Looe Key makes up for what the reef lacks in dimension. Visibility can range to 100' but typically averages around 30' and that's about the same everywhere in the Keys (outside of the Tortugas). The AB is a fun dive and never as crowded as the other wrecks van be. It's worth the effort, but current and visibility (like all the Key's wrecks) can be challenging at times and once around is usually enough. Looe Key provides some nice variety. If the weather and visibility is good, you shouldn't be disappointed.

 

[caruso]

Thanks for the info. What do you mean "avoid the fleet at the reef?"

 

[buckled plates]

Looe Key is a very popular dive site and fills up with private and headboat operators when the weather is good. Try to avoid the herd. Best area of the reef for diving are the southwest sites with well defined sand channels and vertical growth in the spur and groove reef. Also deeper farther than the northeast quadrant which is also more attractive to snorklers. Good diving anywhere, but that would be my choice if I had only one shot at it. Best regards and safe diving!