Diving In Keys

[CrystalClear]

My son is 12 and will be certified at the end of June. My husband and I love Cozumel but don't want to have our son drift diving in a foreign country with swine flu right now. We dove key west a few years ago but have been told Pennekamp park is better. We like nicer places to stay but aren't way picky. We also like SMALL dive operations with no more than 6 per boat. We will pay
more for better service. Please share good places to stay and dive. We want this to be great for him!

[FishFood]

I'd rather take my chances with swine flu than Key West.


Welcome to the forum! I'm sure someone that can help you out will be along shortly...

[Diver Kat]

We go to the Keys every year now and stay in both Marathon and Key Largo. We'll be heading there on June 24th for 9 days in Marathon, 2 in Key Largo, and 3 in Miami.

You might look into Captain Hook's in Marathon. I think we might have had a max of 8 on the boat (can't remember for sure), but it's a real comfy boat, they do package deals with discounts for multiple dive days, and they put a DM in the water with you - to follow or not - your option. They even stored out gear bags in their equipment locker so we didn't have to haul them back & forth daily. Captain Hook’s Diving and Fishing in the Florida Keys Marathon is quite a bit quieter than Key Largo, but there are still nice places to stay and plenty of restaurants. Also Bahia Honda State Recreational Area - with some of the most beautiful beaches - is just down the road.

If you want more action, than I would look into Key Largo. Lots of dive ops, hotels & restaurants. We use Blue Water Divers there. Their boat takes 8-10 divers, but again, it's a big comfy boat. Dive Key Largo with BlueWater Divers. PADI Dive Instruction & Charters. Ten Divers Maximum.

[CPTOZZY]

Originally Posted by CrystalClear

My son is 12 and will be certified at the end of June. My husband and I love Cozumel but don't want to have our son drift diving in a foreign country with swine flu right now. We dove key west a few years ago but have been told Pennekamp park is better. We like nicer places to stay but aren't way picky. We also like SMALL dive operations with no more than 6 per boat. We will pay
more for better service. Please share good places to stay and dive. We want this to be great for him!

I have dove regularly with Keys Dives in Islamorada.
Key Dives Guided Scuba Diving in Islamorada in the Florida Keys

For a new diver (like your son) they are great. I dove with them last christmas when I took my Son and his girlfreind on their first Post-certification (and Big-water) Dives. All their dives are guided, and they will even lug your gear to the boat and back and set it up /switch tanks for you
Incidently - Mike Goldman the Dive Op Owner is on the Cover of the Current Scuba Diving Mag -- Great Guy

Another great Dive Op is Conch Republic

CONCH REPUBLIC DIVERS VOTED #1 DIVE SHOP IN FLORIDA KEYS

A great bunch of people - I really had a great time diving with them last month. They operate a bit north of Keys Dives, and last month when I went down for a week of diving I bounced between these two dive operators based on the visibility.

Conch Republic regularly dives the wrecks EAgle, Benwood, Duane, Bibb, and Speigel Grove. They run an outstanding operation.

Hope this helps

[comet24]

For the upper keys I like Conch Republic. They can carry more then six on there boats at time but when I was there a few weeks ago both reef trips had less then six. The wreck trips had more though.

Just a great outfit and the one I will continue to use when I an down that way.

[BSea]

Originally Posted by comet24

For the upper keys I like Conch Republic. They can carry more then six on there boats at time but when I was there a few weeks ago both reef trips had less then six. The wreck trips had more though.

Just a great outfit and the one I will continue to use when I an down that way.

Conch Republic also has a few smaller boats. You pay a little more, but you don't have to fight the crowds on the bigger boat.

CONCH REPUBLIC DIVERS VOTED #1 DIVE SHOP IN FLORIDA KEYS

Edit: I see they have only 1 smaller boat now. I think they used to have 2, but it's been a few years since I've been down there.

[comet24]

Originally Posted by BSea

Conch Republic also has a few smaller boats. You pay a little more, but you don't have to fight the crowds on the bigger boat.

CONCH REPUBLIC DIVERS VOTED #1 DIVE SHOP IN FLORIDA KEYS

Edit: I see they have only 1 smaller boat now. I think they used to have 2, but it's been a few years since I've been down there.

They have two boats. A 46' Newton and a smaller boat but it's a little larger then a six pack.

[BSea]

Originally Posted by comet24

They have two boats. A 46' Newton and a smaller boat but it's a little larger then a six pack.

I should have been clearer. I believe they used to have 2 smaller boats (now 1) for diving in addition to their larger boat. Sorry for any confusion. Regardless, they are a great outfit to dive with.

[capt gary]

Hey All,

Thanks for the kudos. Just for the record we have a 46' Newton and a 30' Island Hopper. The Newton is rated for 38 divers, but we don't put anymore than 30 on and the Island Hopper is rated for 12 divers. To be honest when we have 12 divers on the Newton there is a ton of room. Nice boat and ride.

If I can be of any assistance please don't hesitate to call or email.

Good Diving,

[DMWiz]

Originally Posted by FishFood

I'd rather take my chances with swine flu than Key West.

That's hillarious!!!! I'm with you on that! Although once the V is open for diving I may have to take a trip there.

Originally Posted by CrystalClear

My son is 12 and will be certified at the end of June. My husband and I love Cozumel but don't want to have our son drift diving in a foreign country with swine flu right now. We dove key west a few years ago but have been told Pennekamp park is better. We like nicer places to stay but aren't way picky. We also like SMALL dive operations with no more than 6 per boat. We will pay
more for better service. Please share good places to stay and dive. We want this to be great for him!

As much as I prefer you come to Florida for your diving, I have to post this from the CDC.

Travel Health Precaution
CDC Travel Health Warning for Novel H1N1 Flu in Mexico Removed
This information is current as of today, May 30, 2009 at 19:46 EDT
Updated: May 15, 2009

CDC’s Travel Health Warning recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico, in effect since April 27, 2009, has now been downgraded to a Travel Health Precaution for Mexico.

Current Situation
CDC has been monitoring the ongoing outbreak of novel H1N1 flu in Mexico and, with the assistance of the Mexican authorities, has obtained a more complete picture of the outbreak. There is evidence that the Mexican outbreak is slowing down in many cities though not all. In addition, the United States and other countries are now seeing increasing numbers of cases not associated with travel to Mexico. Finally, the risk of severe disease from novel H1N1 virus infection now appears to be less than originally thought.

With that said, CDR has a small boat and can carry more than six, but it often does not. That may change by the end of June as the dive season picks up. They are a top notch operation however.

Quiescence in Key Largo runs a decent six pack.

HMS Minnow Charters runs a great six pack out of Key Largo as well.

Of course Silent World runs two boats with 12 people max. Also a top notch outfit.

I hope that helps you. Enjoy your visit to the Keys!