20 replies to this topic

[Lisa0825]

Thanks for all the suggestions on hotels and dive ops. I'll be looking all of them up before I decide who to go with. I appreciate the input:-)

[FlIrishman]

Try Gary at Conch Republic. He can also get you a room. R U going alone or do you already have dive buddies??

http://www.conchrepublicdivers.com

and U might want to ask Gary about getting your Advanced OW as you need it to dive the Wrecks down there [ Duane, Eagle, Spiegle Grove all have the sand below 100 ft ]!

The Eagle is my favorite dive.

Driving from Marathon back to Key Largo is an hour drive and gas is over $2.00 per gallon plus your time.

[keyswide]

if you want something in marathon...

try key colony bay motel used to be ramada inn
or the holiday inn, ocean beach club, continental inn

as far as dive operators, try abyss dive, or deep blue divers

everything i've mentioned is within a mile of capt hooks

if you need info on others email me direct as i work in the area

keyswide@aol.com

[nextariel]

Recommend White Sands Inn in Marathon (Grassy Key), but I stayed there the week before Rita. Very quant. Dove with Abyss Dive Center. They took 2 of us out, and there were no other boats running. Did some great shallow reefs - Samantha's was one.

[Adelie]

Did you check out Horizon Divers?

Sorry, I was NOT impressed with Horizon Divers! there are too many other reputable dive operations down there for me to ever go with them again, nor recommend them.

I felt it fell into the category of a cattle call boating operation:

They packed as many bodies as possible on the boat, with all levels of experiences and age groups, but unfortunately most of the boat were 14 year olds. Although that is not necessarily a bad thing, they were not honest about the location they were going to be taking us, since we had orginally signed up to do one of the local wrecks. They took us to a single reef location, where we did a very shallow and boring dive to accomodate the teenagers. and then, no joke-- they started the engines, literally only went to the other side of the same reef, and then told us we were at our second location. THE SAME REEF. Of course, those of us who had already lost all our baby teeth had already been around the whole reef once already... Plus, they gave us a time limit, so we had to be back to the boat to accomodate their afternoon schedule long before we had used our bottom time or air.

Not a good experience.

[Scott]

The Oceanview is the best deal around...a great bar with very good food. Suprisingly, the hotel bar is full of LOCALS! That is how good this place is. Plus it is very affordable.

http://www.theocean-view.com/

I stay there every time I go unless I am bringing my dog.

Have fun and if you postpose your trip try to make it to Tampa for Gasparilla! I'll be in the parade wit the Crewe of Henry Morgan, Argh!

Scott