Greetings from Conch Republic Divers in the Florida Keys

[capt gary]

Hey All,

Just joined this forum and wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone across the pond. If you're ever in my neck of the woods for holiday please stop in to say hi.
Also if you have any questions about the Florida Keys, please don't hesitate to drop me an email.

Good Diving....or should I say "Cheers",

[Turtle Dude]

Hi. Welcome.

What is the diving like there? (sadly never been)

[capt gary]

Hi. Welcome.

What is the diving like there? (sadly never been)

Hey Turtle Dude,

We have a lot of reefs that range from 6 to 18 meters with very old coral formations. Our water temperatures range from 22C in the winter to 31C in the summer. Visibility range from an average of 9 meters to over 30 meters at times.

Also we have the Spiegel Grove, Duane, Bibb, and Eagle, 4 artificial reefs that have been sunk to attract fish life. You'll average 28 meters on these dives and you never know what you'll see.

We don't have any large pelagics, as in Whales, but we do have a variety of fish life including shark and rays. One reef we go to is called Snapper Ledge which is home to millions of fish, mostly Yellowtail Snapper. I tell my guest you'll have to shosh them out of the way just to see the reef.

Let me know if you have anymore questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

Good Diving,

[Eugene Farrell]

Hey Gary

Welcome, the Keys are awesome for diving. Spiegel really is a great dive, it's a huge wreck albeit a little sterile. I have seen so much life over there and at very shallow depths as well. The people are great and the food is just special. OH and the sunsets!!!

[capt gary]

Yes the sunsets are quite beautiful with brilliant colors. Sadly, thanks in part to pollution.

http://ukbg.org/img/sunset.jpg

[Edward]

[snip] Also we have the Spiegel Grove, Duane, Bibb, and Eagle, 4 artificial reefs that have been sunk to attract fish life. You'll average 28 meters on these dives and you never know what you'll see.


Hi Gary,

Dived the Spiegel Grove (interesting weather conditions - just like getting onto the Hispania in the Sound of Mull, but with better vis and warm water), the Duane and the Benwood last December.

Am keen to get back and do a full week or two's diving.

When is the best time of year?

Regards

Edward

[capt gary]

Hi Gary,

Dived the Spiegel Grove (interesting weather conditions - just like getting onto the Hispania in the Sound of Mull, but with better vis and warm water), the Duane and the Benwood last December.

Am keen to get back and do a full week or two's diving.

When is the best time of year?

Regards

Edward

Hi Edward,

Yes the waters here seem to have a mind of their own, but can offer some fantastic diving. The winter months here bring storms out of the NE and tend to mess things up a bit.

Best time, in my opinion, is either late Sept thru Oct or April thru May. These months have some great weather and offer the lowest lodging pricing. Of course the summer months are our high season for diving and pending no storms, diving is superb.

If you have anymore questions please don't hesitate letting me know.

Good Diving,

[IainC]

Hello Capt. Gary

Well ,well, I did a couple of dives with Conch Republic, ooh, about 8 years ago, went out to the Duane IIRC - first time I saw a hammerhead shark :D

Iain.

[capt gary]

Hello Capt. Gary

Well ,well, I did a couple of dives with Conch Republic, ooh, about 8 years ago, went out to the Duane IIRC - first time I saw a hammerhead shark :D

Iain.

Hey Iain,

Well the Duane and Conch is still here, but my wife and I are different owners having purchased the shop 5 years ago. Oh and the recent sightings of palegics on the Duane have been of Bull Sharks. Of course there's still a large number of Barracuda that frequent the wreck.

We've also now have the Spiegel Grove, one large ship measuring 510' (160m) and a nice dive. Some Goliath Grouper have taken up residence and growth on the wreck is attracting a lot of fish life. That and the wreck of the Eagle are worth doing if you ever get back this way.

Good Diving,