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Dive Review of HMS Minnow Dive Charters/Holiday Inn Key Largo in
The Continental USA/Key Largo, FL

HMS Minnow Dive Charters/Holiday Inn Key Largo, Mar, 2014,

by Elizabeth Russell, PA, US (Contributor Contributor 12 reports with 9 Helpful votes). Report 7629.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Captain John has taken over the HMS Minnow from Jeff Jarvis but the wonderful service is still provided. The Minnow is a small boat that accommodates up to six divers. You enter the water with a backward roll and exit using the fin ladder and Captain John's assistance. He takes your fins and BC and changes tanks for you. This is a great service since sometimes the conditions are a little rough, it's a small boat, and it's easier to have one person changing tanks than having everyone trying to do this at the same time. John gives excellent briefings using landmarks and compass headings so the navigation is much easier on unfamiliar sites. Since most of the sites are shallow (not counting the wrecks) the dive times can be as long as you like. We had several dives last more than an hour and surfaced because we were cold, not from lack of air. John will accommodate three-tank trips (if everyone on the boat agrees) so that the long ride back to the dock can be avoided. Sites like Snapper Ledge and the Benwood wreck have lots of fish from many species. It was really exciting on Pickles Reef to see a six-foot Goliath Grouper just sitting on a coral head, watching us go by. There are many small species hiding in the coral and the sand and diving with Captain John gives you plenty of time to find them. The Holiday Inn is right next to the dock so it's very convenient. There are several restaurants within walking distance and a dive shop next door.
Websites HMS Minnow Dive Charters   Holiday Inn Key Largo

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving USA, Truk, PNG, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Caribbean, Central America
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, dry Seas choppy, surge, no currents
Water Temp 76-78°F / 24-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 30-50 Ft/ 9-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Come back with 500 PSI
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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