Diving in the Florida Keys

[Victoria]

Hello!

I'm going to the Florida Keys in October this year and will be staying on Islamorada - this will be my first time in the Keys and also the first time diving in Florida! Just wondering if anyone has ever dived in this area and if so, have any recommendations for dive operators/dive sites etc? I started diving in August last year, got my PADI AOW in Malaysia then but have since joined BSAC and should be a sports diver by October! Do places in Florida accept BSAC qualifications without any hassle?

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks

Victoria

[MattS]

Hi Vicky

I spent a week on Islamorada last year. Dreamy place.

We used the local dive operator for a snorkel trip which turned out to have scuba divers aboard. We ended up on a site which was far too deep for most of the snorkellers. I managed to free dive down to the reef where the scuba divers were playing and was glad I had not paid for a scuba trip with them.

If you can manage to get up to Key Largo (about 45mins to 1hr drive) Chris and Alison at Silent World (http://www.silentworldkeylargo.com/) are Brits and I think they are now a BSAC resort. I only popped in to rent a decompression cylinder but ended up chatting to them for hours. Thoroughly impressed with the operation and if I ever go back that is where I will be spending my money.

[Eugene Farrell]

Hi Victoria

No doubt there will be some diver travel reports to read.

I have dived the Keys a few times and there are lots of good dive operators. I used Silent Diving in Key Largo and last time I went an English couple had taken it over. But there are many others, Amy Slate, I think captain Slate has a boat too.

Dives are all abilities, really nice reefs and not at all deep, to wreck sites which can be more of a challenge, and have greater depth. Pennekamp area has fantastic reefs like Molasses reef, I have seen sharks, eagle rays, turtle, moray, lobster. (take your camera)

If you want to do the wrecks you may need to ask specifically as I found the deeper dives were not so popular with too many resort divers. The Duane has strong currents sometimes, The Spiegel Grove is massive, but a bit deep perhaps.

Key West has deeper diving I am told, and the Dry Tortugas look good, but it's good drive down there. Islamorada to Key Largo is not too far.

There is a huge dive shop in Largo worth visiting just by the Holiday Inn.

Maybe others can add more.

Best wishes and take care.

Eugene.

[AndyA]

Hi, havent dived in Florida as I only qualified last year myself but the wife and I are regular visitors to the Keys (Key West). I did some research last year as I hoped to qualify before my holiday but it didnt work out.
The main diving area in the Keys is in Key Largo where the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park are situated. There are other places to dive but all the reviews seem to suggest that Key Largo is the place. I too spoke to Silent World and they were very helpful, they are not a BSAC centre as such but as Brits they are fully aware of BSAC and its authorisations. Another suggestion is Amy Slates 'Amoray' Dive Centre also in Key Largo just up the road from Silent World, they are a BSAC dive school, I think the only one in Florida.

[Alison Boler]

Hi Victoria
I would very much recommend Conch Republic in Islamorada - they have a really good setup/lovely boats, dock right off the back of the shop, parking, shade for loading. Very good and they are used to Brits. You won't have any probs down there with British quals - they get a lot of us visiting. There used to be a really good outfit across the road from them too run by a BSAC couple but they have closed up. Have a look at my trip report from 2006 (and some others here
www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports

The diving around there is nice - good reefs and some excellent wrecks as Eugene says. We did the Duane and the current was running but they use ascent/descent lines and once down it was ok. Take a dsmb with you. The Spiegel Grove is very good and also the Bibb.

We really like the diving further north around West Palm Beach too - if you get up that way look for a dive centre called Pura Vida divers on Singer Island. They are superb.

It's very laid back down in the Keys. Beaches are very very small and a bit disappointing so don't expect great traunches of sand. Fantastic seafood and just a nice kickback atmosphere.
Have a great time.
Allie

[MattS]

they are not a BSAC centre as suchYou might want to check the Silent World website. It says they are a BSAC resort.

Cap'n Slate, now there's a character ;)

[Glenn Ford]

I also recommend Conch Republic who are in Tavernier which is just North of Islamadora and just South of Key Largo. There are also plenty of other good outfits in the area.

[Richard Whitcombe]

You'll have no issue getting qualifications accepted there.

If diving the upper keys try to do the spiegal grove, duane and bibb wrecks and a nightdive
The rest is fairly bland with very dead coral.

[Robs188]

We stayed in Key Largo and dived with Amy Slates

http://www.amoray.com/

They are BSAC and PADI so no problem with whatever qualification you got. Also a very good and proffesional outfit.

Hope you have some great dives out there

[Chris at Silent World]

Hello!

I'm going to the Florida Keys in October this year and will be staying on Islamorada - this will be my first time in the Keys and also the first time diving in Florida! Just wondering if anyone has ever dived in this area and if so, have any recommendations for dive operators/dive sites etc? I started diving in August last year, got my PADI AOW in Malaysia then but have since joined BSAC and should be a sports diver by October! Do places in Florida accept BSAC qualifications without any hassle?

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks

Victoria

Hi Victoria,

You wont have any problems with your BSAC quals in the Florida Keys. Islamorada is a lovely group of islands (check out Morada Bay or Pierres for some excellent dining), but Key Largo is the place to dive, especially at the North end. I would recommend North North Dry Rocks, The Benwood, Carysfort and anywhere on the Elbow reef as the best spots.

My wife Alison and I are both English, so we understand bar, kilos and DIN :) Come in and see us whilst you are over and we'll take you to some nice spots. It beats Stoney Cove on a January day thats for sure!