Best area of the Keys for diving? (thoughts/opinions wanted)

[hul kogan]

Which area would you recommend and why?
- Key Largo
- Islamorada
- Marathon
- Lower Keys
- Key West

I'm researching my next trip and I've already decided that it will be in the Keys. I've only been to Key West, but I didn't dive while there. Thoughts on the different areas, dive site, etc would be greatly appreciated!

 

[WGardiner]

I would also like to know. Going down there in a couple of weeks for snorkeling.

 

[SnookSlayer08]

I go down there a lot to snorkel but not to just look at fish/corals, mainly to catch lobster and shoot hogfish and grouper, so unless ur into that kinda stuff I can't really help ya.

 

[scooter86]

Can't go wrong with the Pennekamp reef in Key Largo.

 

[ibanezgfx]

marathon is really good at sobrero reef. awesome

 

[hul kogan]

I had my eye on Pennekamp, glad to hear it's worth the trip. I've heard good things about Sombrero, as well. I've added both of those to my dive list.

More than likely I'll be staying in the Marathon area, so I'll have decently easy access to anywhere in the Keys, so keep the suggestions coming!

 

[jdhuyvetter]

I like the lower Keys. Less people. Basically, anywhere from Sombrero to Western Sambo or Washerwoman on the outer reef.

 

[lhm nole]

Did a little bit of snorkeling in the middle keys around Lou Key Resort ( where we stayed) water was very warm not a lot of fish to collect caught a few cowfish and saw some banded butterflies and a few baby french angels but that was about it lots of gorgonians sea mat poylps and brains ..

There was lobsters everywhere of course it was not lobster season go figure.It was a good time but was disappointed with the amount of fish

 

[SnookSlayer08]

well season opens up tomorrow for lobster. We always stay in surgarloaf and make the 45min run to content key to catch bugs, got another spot by sawyer key hat last time we were down there was pretty decent coral growth wise, some gorgs and rock nems lots of damsels and little fish though a couple butterflys and jackknife/spotted drums around there and it's 10ft deep max at high tide. but it's an hours run from sugarloaf and there's no way to get there by car same with content key. I also don't recomend renting a boat if you're not familiar with the area the sandbars shift almost every year so it's really easy to get stuck.

 

[hul kogan]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I've been doing quite a bit of research on dives sites in the Keys and have a nice list that I'd like to make it to. There are some really cool wrecks in 80-130ft of water.

How about dive shops? Any recommendations? I don't know anyone that lives in the Keys, so I'm going to have to rely on the shops to get me to the good spots.

 

[NewbieForever]

Ive been there and usually go out from Key Largo. Lots of good shallow reefs, but I really want to get down there to do the speigel grove and duane soon. I was thinking of trying Any Slates Amoras dive resort, I have heard good things about them on scubaboard.

 

[schudini]

Ive been there and usually go out from Key Largo. Lots of good shallow reefs, but I really want to get down there to do the speigel grove and duane soon. I was thinking of trying Any Slates Amoras dive resort, I have heard good things about them on scubaboard.

Just got back from there. Good times. Duane was awesome, 100+ vis, no current (which everybody said is rare).

Molasses reef was also nice. Huge Goliath grouper and 6ft. nurse shark.

 

[nachosaregood]

If you end up in Key West, the USS VanDenberg is a must. Reefs dives in key west were not very good.

 

[AquamanE]

Check out this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1889559

 

[RcToners]

Depends on what you are looking for on your dives. If you are looking for coral reefs the I would suggest john pennikamp, mollasis reef, griecian rocks. I would check out christ of the abyss while your at it, you can just free dive/snorkel all of these places as well as tank dive them. If you are looking to dive wrecks then there are some other places I can point out to you as well. There are alot of different types of diving you can do here its just a matter of what your situation is. I pretty much dive daily and I can tell you first hand you never see the same things twice.

 

[Hannawa]

I just spent a week in key largo and absolutely loved it. I dove with Rainbow Reefs. They have a free guide on every dive if you want someone who knows the area to show you around plus the more you dive the cheaper it gets!

 

[scuba guy ron]

the patch reefs off little torch key around looe key reef are some of the best i've dove.

 

[hul kogan]

Thanks again for the input everyone! I'm a big fan of the reefs, but I also like the wrecks. I'm noting all these locations and will plan out some sort of daily itinerary closer to the trip.

 

[scuba guy ron]

honestly if your a reef enthusiest and going for the first time, you'll probably enjoy any part.

heres Looe Key

 

[hul kogan]

It's probably safe to say that you are 100% correct, haha!

Thanks for sharing those pics. Looks good!