I dive everyday with the dive shop (Dive Duck Key) at Hawks Cay Resort. I dont want to mislead you, I dive with them everyday because I am one of their dive instructors on staff. But I have been teaching in the Keys for over 8 years now and there is no other dive shop I would work for. Dive Duck Key has a slow but comfortable boat, we run an organized (which is a surprisingly less common trait than you would expect!) and safe operation. But my favorite part of this shop is its location- we are 10 miles from any other dive shop in the Keys. And because of time and fuel prices, the other dive shops dont run out to our reefs. We have all the privacy we want. Our reefs are part of the same reef line as all the reefs you read about in Key Largo and Marathon (meaning the same 1200 species of tropical fish, same vibrantly colored coral, same active kritters) but without the crowds and crowds of divers and snorkelers you get when you dive off the bigger, more accessible islands. Our reefs are in great shape because they dont get pounded by visitors all day every day.
Hawks Cay Resort was very expensive, especially right after they poured a bunch of well-spent money into a fabulous remodeling job. Their prices have come down some since then, and the place does look fantastic, not too mention there is a LOT more to do at this resort than at a plain old hotel or motel in the Keys. The Fall is a cheaper time of year to visit, and if you are active or retired military, emergency personnel, or law enforcement- you get fantastic rates with their HEROES program. Definitely worth checking out! You dont have to be a Hawks Cay guest in order to dive with us, so if you decide to stay elsewhere- still give us a call....
Dont take my word on the diving however- checkout our reviews online! Trip advisor has been frequented by many of our customers and they say it all....
Good luck with where ever you decide to vacation!