Keys

[thor]

I'm thinking about taking a vacation in the Florida Keys. Any recommendations on where to dive, whom to dive with and where to stay?

[harb99]

Originally Posted by thor

I'm thinking about taking a vacation in the Florida Keys. Any recommendations on where to dive, whom to dive with and where to stay?

Do you have a preference on the upper / middle / lower Keys - If so I am sure there are some people out there that can give you great advice.

As for me and my limited experience with the Keys - my wife and I stayed in Islamorada for a week last August and dove with Key Dives. We cannot say anything but good things about the area, diving and Owners/Operators at Key Dives. Mike and Marcia were awesome and took great care of us on our first trip to the Keys - plus it was my wife's first ocean diving experience and my first ocean dives since '03.

[comet24]

These guys are great.

CONCH REPUBLIC DIVERS VOTED #1 DIVE SHOP IN FLORIDA KEYS..2006 & 2007

[Foo2]

hmmmm yeah! The Keys sound nice.

[harb99]

Originally Posted by Foo2

hmmmm yeah! The Keys sound nice.

I agree

[terrillja]

I'll second Key Largo and Conch Republic. There are tons of reefs and wrecks there. Key West might be more attractive IF they ever sink the Vandenburg, but for now I'd recommend Key Largo.

[BSea]

I also vote for Key Largo. Islamorada is just below Key Largo, and has some good diving too. Key Dives is a guided dive from what I remember. We decided not to go with them because it's "Follow the Leader" diving.

Conch Republic is great, but book early to get the dives you want. And I think they go to the Eagle which most charters from Key Largo won't do because it's too far.

Now, you should spend a day or 2 in Key West, especially if you've never been there. Plus they are sinking the Vandenburg in a month or so. I'm planning on going this fall so I can dive this new wreck.

Here's some info: Key West Dive Charters Blue Water Charters Key West Diving

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by BSea

Plus they are sinking the Vandenburg in a month or so.

Don't count on it. The Vandenberg is under "Federal arrest" (meaning they can't move the ship by federal court order) until the shipyard bill is paid.

The permit for the sinking says it has to be done before hurricane season, which starts sometime in June. (not sure of official date on permit).

key West is also short over a million bucks on the costs required to sink it and it trying to get money from the state.

So unless the shipyard bill is settled soon and they cough up an additional million or so bucks, I doubt you'll see it sunk this year.


They've been trying to sink that boat since about 2002.

[thor]

Originally Posted by BSea

I also vote for Key Largo. Islamorada is just below Key Largo, and has some good diving too. Key Dives is a guided dive from what I remember. We decided not to go with them because it's "Follow the Leader" diving.

Conch Republic is great, but book early to get the dives you want. And I think they go to the Eagle which most charters from Key Largo won't do because it's too far.

Now, you should spend a day or 2 in Key West, especially if you've never been there. Plus they are sinking the Vandenburg in a month or so. I'm planning on going this fall so I can dive this new wreck.

Here's some info: Key West Dive Charters Blue Water Charters Key West Diving

Make sure you turn down the sound before you click this link. WOW,

[Foo2]

I was thinking that I might be able to go to the Keys with a friend of mine...but it's not looking like that's gonna happen for a while. Someday. BTW, thanks for the pic harb99...it added a little insult to injury.