SCUBA in Key Largo

[otrlynn]

My husband and I are considering taking a vacation in Key Largo this summer. We have looked into taking a PADI certification course here in PA, with the open water certification done somewhere in Key Largo--or doing the entire PADI cert. here with the open water cert. done at a quarry in this area (water is cold and murky...). Anyone have any specific recommendations about places they have stayed and enjoyed in Key Largo? If they offer PADI certification, so much the better.

I see that one can take the PADI cert. course right at John Pennekamp Park in Key Largo and that is also a possibility.

Please share your experiences. Thanks! Lynn

 

[streetjudge79]

I've dove Pennekamp several times, it's awesome! Pennekamp seems to have the best price in chartering a 2 tank dive as well.

 

[divemonster]

If you finish your PADI Open Water Diver course in PA, then you will have 2 more days of recreational diving in Key Largo. Diving in that quarry will make you a better diver As an instructor, I try to encourage my students to finish the course before they go on their vacation and ALL of them have come back to tell me they were glad they finished their training dives with me.

There are several dive shops in Key largo and 2 of my favorites are Sea Dwellers and Ocean Divers. Both are PADI shops and run excellent dive excursions. You can do a google search and find their websites.

Good luck, and dive safe :fish2:

 

[slapshot]

My husband and I are considering taking a vacation in Key Largo this summer. We have looked into taking a PADI certification course here in PA, with the open water certification done somewhere in Key Largo--or doing the entire PADI cert. here with the open water cert. done at a quarry in this area (water is cold and murky...). Anyone have any specific recommendations about places they have stayed and enjoyed in Key Largo? If they offer PADI certification, so much the better.

I see that one can take the PADI cert. course right at John Pennekamp Park in Key Largo and that is also a possibility.

Please share your experiences. Thanks! Lynn

Florida Keys Dive Center, just south of Key largo has an excelent program and staff. I had them certify my kids. You can do the book work on-line before you even get there and then finsh up everything in a couple of days. Call them for more specific information. taking your checkout dives in a warm water surrounded by coral is not such a bad thing.

 

[otrlynn]

Thanks for all the responses folks. Now, does anyone have a favorite resort/hotel/motel in the area? Something between bare-bones basic and 5-star resort... It isn't that I can't find anything online--there are too many choices!

 

[twhitti]

Motels in Key Largo

Motels in Key Largo

Thanks for all the responses folks. Now, does anyone have a favorite resort/hotel/motel in the area? Something between bare-bones basic and 5-star resort... It isn't that I can't find anything online--there are too many choices!


I have stayed at many different places in Key Largo and, in my opinion, has the clearest diving in the keys. I have camped there (at Key Largo Campgrounds) many times in the beginning and in past few years have stayed in many different Motels. Presently I like the Holiday Inn and the Ramada Inn. They are both moderately priced (the Holiday Inn more so).

Do a web search on lodging in the Keys. There are many sites and you can actually specify which "œkey" you want to stay at. Many have web sites so you can see what you are getting. I am a collector and have been going there for a dozen years so I tend rent boats and go where I want, if you collect fish be advised that while possible to get many good specimens, the Keys is a protected area and the Fl Marine Patrol is very diligent. Make sure you read the collecting rules first. If you collect fish, forget about it on a dive charter. They mostly go to very protected reefs where collecting is forbidden.

I have come to know a collector in Tavinear Key (just south of Key Largo) who offers fish for sale, can take you out collecting and offers efficiency apartment type rentals as well; check out http://www.tomscaribbean.com/index.html.

For someone new to the sport, I think just about any of the named dive shops mentioned are very responsible and know how to acclimate new divers to open water "œocean' diving. My advice is "œtake it slow and take is easy"; tell the operators that you are new "œc" card holders. Start off in shallow water and get your "œsea legs" first. The ocean (even in beautiful Key Largo) can be dangerous, especially when getting off and getting on a dive boat if you have any waves/swells on the most ideal, sunny days.

I hope this helps.

Terry
Atlanta, GA

 

[roblack]

Check out the Marriott Resort in Key Largo. Definitely eat at Fish House. Have fun, diving Pennekamp is great.

 

[slapshot]

Be sure to look at Ocean Pointe Suites. They are just south of Key largo, like 2 miles, and you get a suite for less than most hotels. Very nice. Oh and +1 on the Fish House.

 

[bangaii man]

I have dove Key Largo a few times. I've had good luck with Scuba Doo (captain Mark) good rates and his boats aren't cattle ships, I think there is a 10 person max capacity, therefore you get great service. Last year I went down there with a friend who did the same thing, coursework up north, and open water dives in Largo. Scuba Doo worked great with that, we happened to have horrible conditions the weekend we were down there, but they went out of their way to take us to a lagoon (joules undersea resort) to get the dives in. I would at least check them out. There is a great restaurant around MM87 on the east bound side, near a bridge. I wish I could remember the name, I'll have to check my dive log, It was so good I think I entered it.

Good luck

 

[DeepSeaHunter]

i agree with roblack, i live in miami and frequent key largo once or twice a month when it is nice. I always go with the dive charter at the marriott resort. the place is called "it's a dive". the people are really friendly, and they are relatively cheap.