Scuba in the Keys
 

How is the scuba diving in the Keys? Does it compare to the Caribbean at all?
- Visibility?
- Marine life?
- Cost?

Looks like we may not be able to make a dive vacation to the Caribbean this year & are considering a shorter trip to the Keys. Any recommendations?

Not as good as Belize of Cozumel but pretty on par with a lot of the caribbean.

Key Largo has the best diving.

I don't think the keys are that cheap. Have you checked dive packages to Cozumel?

Scuba in the Keys is very good and reasonably similar to Caribbean as far as marine life. Reefs, wrecks, etc all the way from Fort Lauderdale to Key West. Vis not quite as good as Cayman or Bonaire but certainly acceptable. Key Largo/Islamorado area is probably the best choice - most dive operators, lots of hotels in various price ranges, etc. Key Largo has access to Pennekamp Underwater Park. Cost is similar to S Florida - $50-60 for 2 tanks. Water temp is a little cooler than Caribbean unless you are going in the summer when it is around 80. My dad dove with the operator inside Pennekamp and thought they were good - they also had glass bottom boat rides, etc.

Even as far north as Palm Beach has good diving and few more choices as far as non-diving activities. I have a place in Pompano Beach and dive with Parrot Island Scuba there - they do a nice job.

ttt

Key Largo has the best diving in the Keys. I dove with Coral Reef Park Co, Inc. and they had great instructors and service. They have access to the Pennekamp State Park, which made for a wonderful diving experience.

I have also gone diving off Key West and it was okay. The visibility was only about 15-20 feet and there wasn't a great deal to see in terms of marine life and coral reefs. Also, I would avoid diving with Subtropic Divers on Key West. I recently went on a dive with that company (the company was recommended by my hotel) and found the staff to be rude and unaccomodating. They basically take you out to the dive sites and let you go with very little description of the sites. I have been diving all over the world for over 10 years and have rarely found a dive shop to offer such poor service and rude employees.