Where to in the Keys???

[Bobby T]

Greetings from bitter cold Wisconsin! My wife and I just got back from Coz (Scuba Club Cozumel) and are starting to plan our next trip. I've been considering staying in the keys and doing some diving. We like a laid back easy going resort that doesn't have to be expensive - I'd rather pay for the dive ops.

Of course getting out of Wisconsin in the winter is our goal. Any advice as to the best winter months to dive as well as where to stay would be greatly appreciated. I am completely unfamiliar with the area, the reefs, etc.

Thanks!
Bobby T.

 

[deepstops]

The better diving is in the Upper Keys, basically from Marathon to North Key largo.

There are lot's of good operators and places to stay. Two favorites of each here on Scubaboard are Conch Republic Divers and Silent World Key Largo along with Kawama Yacht Club and Ocean Point Suites.

I think both dive operations offer lodging packages to both places

 

[Jupiter31]

Brian offers good suggestions; for me I always choose the operator, b/c I'm there for the diving. I'd plan on Key Largo and/or Islamorada for the better Keys diving.

One Operator I would add is HMS Minnow, especially if you like smaller boats and a max of 6 divers ( I do) - any of the Op's can set you up with accomodations - you will not generally encounter Coz like all inclusive accomodations, but its not a big deal.

One such place is Amoray in Key Largo; receives mixed reviews on the board (I've stayed there and dove with them and have nothing bad to say) - but has boat and lodging in one place. Thre was a thread recently; check the search function for it - also, this question gets asked frequently, so the search function will be of assistance to you for more info than you can shake a stick at.

Accomodations range from the chain hotels - Holiday Inn, Ramada, Marriott - to mom and pop motels last decorated when Ford was president!

For a variety of reasons motels in the Keys tend to be expensive, and book up on weekends and holidays.

 

[Big G]

Silent World has good packages with Ed and Ellen's resort, a decent and reasonably priced place in Key Largo.

 

[Diveral]

Florida Keys diving is varied and enjoyable. The FL Keys are big so there's lots of good diving and operators down there. Never dove the US Virgin Islands so can't help out there.

Here's a Florida Keys diving guide that I found to be very helpful when I was planning our trip: FLKeysDiving.com: Guide for Scuba divers in the Florida Keys scuba divers Key West to Key Largo with underwater tropical reef fish in John Pennekamp State Park and see maps of wrecks at diveshops

Many of the operators can help out with lodging and diving packages.

This is kinda of neat place to stay: Key Largo Hotel, Tavernier Hotel, Key Largo Resort, Tavernier Inn; Place to stay in Islamorada Florida; luxury Resort, Inn, Upper Keys Lodging

One of my favorite Keys dive Operators CONCH REPUBLIC DIVERS VOTED #1 DIVE SHOP IN FLORIDA KEYS..2006 & 2007

Other good ones I or friends of mine have used:

Sea Dwellers Dive Center of Key Largo, Florida Keys

Quiescence Diving Services Upper Keys Diveshop - FLKeysDiveshops.com: Scuba diving in Key Largo to Islamorada , the Florida Keys scuba divers with underwater tropical reef fish in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and see maps of wrecks

DIVE KEY LARGO - SCUBA with HMS MINNOW DIVING CHARTERS, Florida Keys Pennekamp Sanctuary

Dive Key Largo with BlueWater Divers. PADI Dive Instruction & Charters. Ten Divers Maximum.

AL

Lots of threads address this. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-conch-divers/269111-looking-info-diving-fla-keys.html

 

[F106A]

I've been considering staying in the keys and doing some diving. We like a laid back easy going resort that doesn't have to be expensive - I'd rather pay for the dive ops.
Any advice as to the best winter months to dive as well as where to stay would be greatly appreciated. I am completely unfamiliar with the area, the reefs, etc.
Thanks! Bobby T.

"Resort": Try researching Bay Harbor-traditional old Keysy and somewhat reasonable cost. On the bay. Good location. Or Ocean Pointe condos. (Islamorada) Word has it they're getting a little long in the tooth but it's probably still an OK property. Just modern 1-2 BR condos. NICE pool. Gated property. A few bucks more than Bay Harbor. Don't wanna spend $ for lodging - Ed & Ellen's. (K.L.)
Best diving: Islamorada (MM90) to Key Largo (up to MM107). Ocean Divers, BIG boats. They'll go out with two. Or HMS Minnow for the best 6-pack in the Keys. Quiescence also has good 6-packs. All in K.L. Conch Republic Divers in Islamorada is a super op. (MM90.5) Scuba-Do: 34' boat / 10 divers max. By Ocean Divers and near HMS Minnow. They've maintained a good rep over the years through several owners.
Dive sites: Snapper Ledge-must do (K.L. area), Benwood wreck-shallow, K.L. area, teeming w/fish 'n' stuff (IF you like wrecks). French Reef. Spiegel Grove is a mid-depth wreck (~80-130'); you've no doubt heard of it. Eagle wreck in the Islamorada area. You'll probably see 100'+ (depth).
Oh, the best winter months are the latest, around June or July.

 

[lmorin]

Not to knock the Key Largo sites (that's where we go most frequently), but do look at Looe Key and Sombrero Light. They are great dive locations (they seem more like Caribbean dives to me) reachable out of Marathon or Big Pine Key, about 55-65 mi from Key Largo.

 

[RonFrank]

The Keys are one of my favorite spots. If you want cheap lodging this is it!

Sunset Inn, an affordable motel in Islamorada in the Florida Keys

$55 a night off season, $75 a night in season. Add $10 for a kitchen. The rooms are outdated, but the pool is nice, and the beds are comfortable (at least in the rooms we have rented).

I, like you would rather spend money on enjoying the vacation rather than a room I spend time sleeping in.

If you want more upscale we have stayed at Ocean Point Condo's. Nice rooms, ALL the amenities, but we paid around $125 a night, and that was several years back.

 

[diver2tdg]

Looe Key is one of my favorites! Just walk to back of resort and there's your boat.......Tiki hut, what more could you ask for!.......very laid back, as are the "Keys" in general!

 

[deeper thoughts]

Give speargirl a pm. She has good deals on condos. All the dive ops mentioned are excellent.
Conch Republic Divers also goes out of there way to make sure you receive the best local info(restaurants parks etc). You will feel like a friend more then a customer( my 2 cents)