Looe Key, John Pennekamp

My wife and I are relatively recently certified divers; we got our
cards a couple of years ago and, since we live in Vermont, don't get
out as much as lucky folks who live in more southely climes. A few
days ago, we had a what-the-heck moment and decided to spend Christmas
week in the Florida Keys, just relaxing, doing not much of anything
(we've been to the Keys enough that we've done all the obligatory
tourist stuff long ago), and getting in two or three dives.

We'd like to dive John Pennekamp and see the Christ statue and
whatever else there is to see around there (and we know there's a lot)
and we also figure we should give Looe Key a try since we've heard
from literally hundreds of people that it's an outstanding place.
Hence our question to the group:

Can folks recommend good dive shops for Key Largo/John Pennekamp and
for Looe Key? We know that there are ZILLIONS of dive shops in the
Keys and some are extremely safe and reliable and trustworthy and
*some*... well, not so much. We've looked up lots of shops online
and a lot of them, as you'd expect, have really slick websites, but a
slick website doesn't mean diddly when you're out in the water. We'd
really appreciate recommendations from people who had good experiences
as well as any and all "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STAY AWAY FROM THIS
SHOP..." warnings.

Tanks in advance for any thoughts folks have to share!

Jay Furr <jfurr@furrs.org> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:

:My wife and I are relatively recently certified divers; we got our
:cards a couple of years ago and, since we live in Vermont, don't get
:out as much as lucky folks who live in more southely climes. A few
:days ago, we had a what-the-heck moment and decided to spend Christmas
:week in the Florida Keys, just relaxing, doing not much of anything
:(we've been to the Keys enough that we've done all the obligatory
:tourist stuff long ago), and getting in two or three dives.
:
:We'd like to dive John Pennekamp and see the Christ statue and
:whatever else there is to see around there (and we know there's a lot)
:and we also figure we should give Looe Key a try since we've heard
:from literally hundreds of people that it's an outstanding place.
:Hence our question to the group:
:
:Can folks recommend good dive shops for Key Largo/John Pennekamp and
:for Looe Key? We know that there are ZILLIONS of dive shops in the
:Keys and some are extremely safe and reliable and trustworthy and
:*some*... well, not so much. We've looked up lots of shops online
:and a lot of them, as you'd expect, have really slick websites, but a
:slick website doesn't mean diddly when you're out in the water. We'd
:really appreciate recommendations from people who had good experiences
:as well as any and all "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STAY AWAY FROM THIS
:SHOP..." warnings.
:
:Tanks in advance for any thoughts folks have to share!

Here is a report of my last trip to the Keys
http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/Trips/KeyLargo2008.htm

and the one before that
http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/Trips...daKeys2007.htm

and Looe Key
http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/Trips...loridaKeys.htm

Capt Jim Wyatt's dive shop is no longer in business and it the only
one I recommend against.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip.


Dan Bracuk
Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.


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On Nov 16, 12:30*pm, Jay Furr <jf...@furrs.org> wrote:
> My wife and I are relatively recently certified divers; we got our
> cards a couple of years ago and, since we live in Vermont, don't get
> out as much as lucky folks who live in more southely climes. *A few
> days ago, we had a what-the-heck moment and decided to spend Christmas
> week in the Florida Keys, just relaxing, doing not much of anything
> (we've been to the Keys enough that we've done all the obligatory
> tourist stuff long ago), and getting in two or three dives.
>
> We'd like to dive John Pennekamp and see the Christ statue and
> whatever else there is to see around there (and we know there's a lot)
> and we also figure we should give Looe Key a try since we've heard
> from literally hundreds of people that it's an outstanding place.
> Hence our question to the group:
>
> Can folks recommend good dive shops for Key Largo/John Pennekamp and
> for Looe Key? *We know that there are ZILLIONS of dive shops in the
> Keys and some are extremely safe and reliable and trustworthy and
> *some*... well, not so much. * We've looked up lots of shops online
> and a lot of them, as you'd expect, have really slick websites, but a
> slick website doesn't mean diddly when you're out in the water. *We'd
> really appreciate recommendations from people who had good experiences
> as well as any and all "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STAY AWAY FROM THIS
> SHOP..." warnings.
>
> Tanks in advance for any thoughts folks have to share!

I was in Looe Key a couple years ago. I'll have to look up who I dove
with, etc as it was my first time there so I don't recall off hand to
tell you. It was a nice time. No complaints l but it's not exactly
my ideal vacation place since it was at bit expensive. For the same
amount of money, I could have a better hotel and better diving in
Bonaire, Mexico or Costa Rica.

hierophantfish@hotmail.com pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:

:I was in Looe Key a couple years ago. I'll have to look up who I dove
:with, etc as it was my first time there so I don't recall off hand to
:tell you. It was a nice time. No complaints l but it's not exactly
:my ideal vacation place since it was at bit expensive. For the same
:amount of money, I could have a better hotel and better diving in
:Bonaire, Mexico or Costa Rica.

For the keys, I prefer to rent a house than stay in a hotel. Makes
for a much nicer vacation.

Dan Bracuk
Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.


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On Nov 17, 7:54*pm, Dan Bracuk <bra...@pathcom.com> wrote:
> hierophantf...@hotmail.com pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:
>
> :I was in Looe Key a couple years ago. *I'll have to look up who I dove
> :with, etc as it was my first time there so I don't recall off hand to
> :tell you. *It was a nice time. *No complaints l but it's not exactly
> :my ideal vacation place since it was at bit expensive. *For the same
> :amount of money, I could have a better hotel and better diving in
> :Bonaire, Mexico or Costa Rica.
>
> For the keys, I prefer to rent a house than stay in a hotel. *Makes
> for a much nicer vacation.
>
> Dan Bracuk
> Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.

Good point.