Florida Keys weekend trip recommendations?

Reeferhead · #1 11/26/2007, 05:45 PM

Hey Guys,

The wife and I plan on taking two dive trips this year before I leave for Afganistan next October. We want to fly down to the Keys for a 4-day weekend sometime in Feb-Mar and a week long trip to Cozumel around Aug-Sept.

We've done single 2-tank dives in Key Largo and Cozumel but it was years ago. Neither of us have dove in over three years and we've got the itch. The Keys trip will be kinda a refresher and Conzumel will be a long overdue Honeymoon.

Please throw out any suggestions you can think of.

Thanks,

Nick

Reeferhead · #2 11/27/2007, 02:25 PM

Well I purchased Airline tickets and made car rental reservations so we're going for sure now. 5 days, we plan on doing three 2-tank dives in two days in Key Largo and then party it up in Key West for a couple days.

Any hotel recommendations for both Key Largo and Key West? and Dive Operators in Key Largo. Also, any other must see places or things to do, eat, etc?

DirtySouth056 · #3 11/30/2007, 11:15 AM

On the way to Key West stop by Robbies and feed the Tarpons. http://www.robbies.com/

As for a Hotel in Key Largo you can try the Marriot. Nice place and a good restraunt is just next door (Sundowners). Make sure to be there for the sunset, hence the name.

Hotel website: http://www.marriottkeylargo.com/

If you have the time Fort Jefferson is great, you can take an ferry or sea plane from Key West. Further info located below

http://www.vacationdepot.com/drytortugas.htm

kynan · #4 11/30/2007, 11:32 PM

I second Robbies...neat for a day....just North of Robbies is the Hampton Inn in Islamorada...uou can use the on site operator or any other local...decent diving, mainly fish to see moreso than corals...everyone is saying Pennecamp in KL is getting so much dive pressure it's declining.

If I recall, Lowe's key, North of Key west is suppossed to have the best diving these days. Hampton Inn anyways gives you free breakfast, an Outback next door, and tends to upgrade your room w/o asking...sign up for Hilton rewards (free online) before you go, and/or, don't forget to check out your military discount rates online!

kynan · #5 11/30/2007, 11:35 PM

Oh yeah,

For Coz, I like the El Coz the best...it's north of the reefs, but it's a nicer property than many, e.g. I have tried Park Royal and Reef club....Papa Hogs rocks for diving...6 divers max per boat, great dive masters, check out their deep sea fishing/dive packages...they will even cook your catch for you...pm me with any ?s.

Bustmonkey · #6 12/02/2007, 04:35 PM

You can dive the Speigel or Duane if you are advanced. Those are both off of Key Largo. Also Pennykamp is a nice place to do some easy fun dives. Im going there in a week and have been there before. I have always stayed at the Holiday Inn on Key Largo which is set up resort style and is only a mile or two from Pennykamp and less than that from Ocean Divers which will take you on advaned dives, night dives, or what ever. If you dive through Pennykamp check their website because it did say discount for advanced booking which was $10 off each dive when i called. good luck and have fun.

Capt_Cully · #7 12/06/2007, 06:45 PM

If you like the big hotels there's only a few in Key West, all in Mallory Square at the end of Duvall St. (Unless you'd prefer to stay out by the airport

.

As Far as Bed and Breakfasts go, I've stayed at a few and there's a really great one called The Andrew's Inn
http://www.andrewsinn.com/
Off season it's cheap clean and right on Duvall. If all you want is a place to sleep and shower I'd highly recommend it. AC, Cable, nice rooms, close to the bars. Happy Hour everyday at 5 for free booze. Hottub the size of a small swimming pool.

I put people up there for my wedding. We stayed at the Southern Most Point Guest House. http://www.southernmostpoint.com/rooms.htm

There's 4 Southern Most Hotel, Motel, Guest House etc, all pretty good.

Have a Blast!

Bustmonkey · #8 12/16/2007, 06:02 PM

I just got back from a dive trip to key largo. I am sad to say that I would no longer reccommend Pennekamp. I organized this trip for the UCF dive club and Pennekamp said they would give us a deal of $45 for a two tank dive with tanks and weights included in that price. However right before the trip I called to confirm with them and they refused to honor the prices they orginally qouted rasing the price $25 a dive and we were diving with them for three days. Horizon Divers who I have dove with before gave a discount. They also provide discounts for the hotels that are near them. The boat was amzingly large with room to spread out gear. they were willing to work with us and take us to sights that we preferred. the crew was so nice and really made the trip. We are already starting to plan our next trip through them. they also do the advanced dives that I mentioned in my earlier post if you are interested in that.

tah532 · #9 12/16/2007, 06:11 PM

Maybe you should consider diving in Key West as well. The reefs in the area there are making a comeback. I dove with Bonsai dive charter and had two really nice dives. Plus he only takes 6-8 people at a time so you dont have folks kicking you in the head. I too have heard that Key Largo is not that great at all. Check out Bonsai and do your diving and partying in one place!

cwegescheide · #10 12/16/2007, 06:58 PM

Ditto on the Marriott in Key Largo. NICE... I think its the nicest place around that part of the keys by far. I was just down there about a year ago. Burning those Marriott points LOL

bangaii man · #11 12/20/2007, 11:42 PM

My wife and I just did a 4 day dive weekend on the keys last weekend, man it was great. In the key largo area I would say that the Mariott is probally the best place to stay in tearms of facilities. we don't spend much time in the hotel so we saved a few $ and stayed at the ramada at MM100 walking distance to the big Divers Direct store with a great reef tank in the back must be 1000G I don't know how they keep it so clean. That place was fine for us free internet free continental breakfast, and a frig in the room. Our first two dives were with Joe at Scuba Do diving center. He has a 10pack boat, but on that day he went out with only the two of us and the divemaster guide that he provided for an additional $65. Without her we would have missed a huge sting ray, many moray eels, and numerous other sights, We always hire a dive guide - if you're spending that much $ or air/car/hotel just to go diving it's worth the minimal extra for the guide familiar with the area and sights.

Our second pair of dives were down at Duck Key with Captain Joe at Tilden's Scuba Center soon to be Duck Key diving after Joe buys the business. we actually went down there (MM61) to legally collect fish to take back to our reef tank. That was one of the few charters that would do it with us because they went to non sanctuary reefs. Larger boat, but they went out with only 5 divers so it was also very personal service.

On the way home from Duck key we ate at the highly recommended Island Grill (MM85.5), where the food was great!!!. we would definately go back there again.

have fun