Key Largo Scuba Diving Locales

Tropical water gently laps over your head, slapping the side of the dive boat as it floats anchored just above Molasses Reef or perhaps you are at the City of Washington with the boat 25 feet over your head, and small remnants of an old ship just a few feet below. The City of Washington and Molasses Reef are two of the most popular scuba diving spots in Key Largo, Florida that you could dive on during your next vacation. Often times when someone thinks of the Keys for diving they think Key West is the place to go, but you do not have to. There are numerous reasons why Key Largo is a better spot. Not only will I explain why it should be on your list for diving, but I will also name some of the top diving spots you might want to check out during your vacation.

Reasons to Dive Key Largo:
• 1.You can fly into Fort Lauderdale or Miami easily and at a great price.
• 2.Key Largo is the first Key. From Fort Lauderdale it is an 1.5 hour drive, 1 hour from Miami, and roughly .5 hour from Homestead, which is the last city before the Keys.
• 3.Plenty of Hotels, Inns, Resorts, and Motels
• 4.Great Local Restaurants
• 5.John Pennekamp National Park
• 6. About 2 hours from Key West. Key West does have a small airport, which increases your cost to fly directly to the city. The drive is also extremely long, especially when you have some of the greatest diving spots in Key Largo.

Where to Dive:
Scuba diving and snorkeling tours are offered at most resorts and John Pennekamp National Park. Amy Slate's Amory Dive Resort, Marriot, Rainbow Reef, Ocean Divers, Atlantis, It's A Dive, and other dive charter companies are available. You may not get to choose which dive site you visit, unless you ask for a private charter. Most of the boats at these scuba centers are 20 to 30 passenger catamarans. On any given day you may have 10 passengers and up to full capacity depending on the center you choose. The weather, ocean currents, and the passengers skills will determine what locations the boat captain will chose. The boat captains will take requests, but they do have all passengers to consider. John Pennekamp dive tours will not go to any dive spot over 45 feet.

Local Dive Spots:
The dive locations mentioned in the list are all located a few miles off shore in Key Largo. It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 35 minutes to reach the dive locations and get anchored. The dive centers offer 50 minutes of diving for you to enjoy the numerous tropical fish, reef animals, and occasional sharks.

• Elbow Reef- 45 Feet Depth

• City of Washington- 25 Feet Depth

• Molasses Reef- 25 to 35 Feet Depth

• Benwood- 45 Feet Depth

• Christ Statue- 20 to 25 Feet Depth

• North Dry Rocks- 20 to 30 Feet Depth

• Eagle Ray Alley- 30 Feet Depth

• Duane- 90 Feet Depth

• USS Spiegel Grove- 95

The USS Spiegel Grove and Duane are both sunken ships. They require an Advanced Level of Certification in Padi, SSI, or Naui. If you are training for advance certification you may dive with an instructor for the deep dive qualification. These are two very adventurous, but dangerous dives that require you to be comfortable at such depth. The resorts will ask to see your dive log and certification card.