Kayaking, Diving, Skiing, & Surfing Forum. - Best Place To Learn Scuba In The Keys

My wife and I want to head to the Keys to learn how to scuba dive. I was certified for a few years after college, 25 years ago. She has only been snorkeling. We are looking for a resort type setting, 4-5 days. Can anyone recommend a place?

Thanks

Reach out to Mitch and Billy C at scuba nation via Facebook. They have an awesome show and can advise.

Quiescence dive at key largo will fix you up.

Thanks

Personally I would recommend you "recertifying" at a dive shop up there in PA, near your home. Several reasons for this:

1. By doing your training at your LDS (Local Dive Shop) you build a relationship that's your launching point for this sport. You can do all your training there in PA, than get a "handoff" to a shop in the Keys for your check out dives. Your LDS has a vested interest in sending you to a good instructor there.

2. By getting your certification done BEFORE your vacation, you don't "waste" valuable vacation time in class/training. You get there, do your cert dives and you're off, enjoying the diving. What would you rather do on your vacation, read diving books or go diving?

3. Do your training in PA and bring the key dive gear from PA to the Keys - renting from your LDS. Here's why:

Rental dive gear in the Keys is "rode hard & put up wet", especially during high use time like summer vacation and lobster season. Proper maintenance/servicing is not done because demand is so high, dive shops in the Keys don't want to pull a reg out of rental to service it -- hey, they might find something wrong! Then they have to order parts...

I would no more rent a regulator and BCD from a dive shop in the Keys as I would get a flu shot with a used needle :nono:. The equipment from your LDS in PA doesn't get the harsh use that equipment in the Key's gets and it'll probably be the same stuff you used in class -- that familararity will come in handy.

Hope that helped...

PB

Personally I would recommend you "recertifying" at a dive shop up there in PA, near your home. Several reasons for this:

1. By doing your training at your LDS (Local Dive Center) you build a relationship that's your launching point for this sport. You can do all your training there in PA, than get a "handoff" to a shop in the Keys for your check out dives. Your LDS has a vested interest in sending you to a good instructor there.

2. By getting your certification done BEFORE your vacation, you don't "waste" valuable vacation time in class/training. You get there, do your cert dives and you're off, enjoying the diving. What would you rather do on your vacation, read diving books or go diving?

3. Do your training in PA and bring the key dive gear from PA to the Keys - renting from your LDS. Here's why:

Rental dive gear in the Keys is "rode hard & put up wet", especially during high use time like summer vacation and lobster season. Proper maintenance/servicing is not done because demand is so high, dive shops in the Keys don't want to pull a reg out of rental to service it -- hey, they might find something wrong!

I would no more rent a regulator and BCD from a dive shop in the Keys as I would get a flu shop with a used needle :nono:. The equipment from your LDS in PA doesn't get the harsh use that equipment in the Key's gets and it'll probably be the same stuff you used in class -- that familararity will come in handy.

Hope that helped...

PB

Great advice:thumbsup:

Thanks

www.silentworldkeylargo.com
305-395-1194

I got recertified, bought new equipment (a lot cheaper then in NC) and went on 3 dives. Very helpful and good people.

Have fun!!

Good call, Prop Blast. Last time I rented in the keys a regulator hose blew about 1' from my ear. Luckily I was still shallow when the hose let go. Memorable. I bought my own gear before the next trip.

If you have not gone down yet I second the Dive Shop Quiescence. Top notch operation, I have been using them for several years. They are in key Largo. I got my wreck certificatioin with them. A few times I did not make reservations in time and the boat were all booked. They suggested other operators but in my opinion they were not as good as Quiescence. If you are going to be in Key West I would suggest Captaian's Corner. I did not take any classes with them and only used them for a few trips for the first time this year but I had a great time with them.

x2 !