Dive Review of
Florida Keys Dive Center in
The Continental USA/Florida Keys - Tavernier

Hawaii, Caribbean, Bali

Dive Conditions

One hour or 500 psi  

Clearly marked separate rinse bucket for cameras, but it got a bit crowded
with several sloshing around in it.  No separate camera table.  

Overall Rating

Dove Snapper Ledge, Pickles, Horsehoe Ledge, Crocker Plateau and the Eagle.
 Diving around Tavernier the fish life was great, but the reef felt more
overgrown with algae than it has been looking back over the past ten years.
 Very little small life - shrimps, etc, - other than Xmas tree worms.  Only
small patches of living coral and a few big brain corals.  Lots of green
morays and a few spotteds, lobsters, small nurse sharks & stingrays. 
Florida Keys Dive Center was busy with the underwater Santa Claus dive the
first day and felt rather zoo-y.  The second day of diving had two deep
dives: The Eagle at 70-100 feet was followed by a second dive on Crocker
Plateau which is around 50 feet.  The Captain gave us only a 20 minute
surface interval and got snarky when another diver asked for a bit longer. 
The proposed limit of one hour on the second dive was therefore meaningless
as our bottom time was limited to around 20 minutes.   The shallower area
we were directed towards was downcurrent from the boat and not much
shallower.  It would have been a very pleasant second dive if enough time
had been given in between.  Other divers on board clearly chose to wait
longer on deck before entering and then were able to have a slightly longer
dive.  The other two days were both shallow reefs where the short surface
interval was less of an issue, but it was still a bit rushed to get gear
changed over and get re-hydrated in between.  Regularly had 1500 psi left
at the end of each dive.  While there is a time limit, given the afternoon
dives, the short surface intervals felt a bit unsafe and unnecessarily
rushed, as there was always plenty of time back at dock between morning and
afternoon.  The dive crew was fine for us given that we are reasonably
experienced, but seemed more attentive to the lobster hunters on board than
to several beginners that could have used a bit more help and
encouragement. (Really miss Lady Cyana Divers.)   Water temps were around
75-77 F below - for a full hour below taking something warmer than a 3/2
wetsuit would probably be helpful.  Stayed at Ocean  Pointe - a bit worn,
but perfectly fine and comfortable.  Pricey for a couple, but good for a
family especially if some are non-divers. 

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