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Dive Review of Ocean Divers/Marina del Mar in
The Continental USA/Key Largo, FL

Ocean Divers/Marina del Mar, Jun, 2013,

by Larry Weatherall, VA, US ( 1 report). Report 7265.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments My buddies and I have been diving the Key Largo reefs and wrecks for several years and have used Ocean Divers as our operator. The fact that they have TWO boats in the water in the canal in front of the dive shop and will GO out with as few as (2) divers on board makes them the Go-To operator when the other boats in the area don't have enough people signed up to justify a trip.

The Ocean Divers shop is on the upper deck of a two story building and below them is a decompression chamber. Next door is a bar/grill that has live music at night, along with great food and excellent beer! Marina del Mar is the hotel that OD is partnered with and their building is right next to the building that OD is in! We drive in, park the vehicle and don't have to get back in it until we leave several days later.

The dive sites are so close that the trip out and back usually only takes 45 minutes or so. The usual scenario is: In the AM, a deep wreck (110') for the first dive then and a shallow reef (30') on the second dive. The boat comes back in, we all have our lunch (the Fish Taquitos are to die for!) and then go back out. The PM dives are a repeat of the AM plan with a different deep wreck and shallow reef being the afternoon targets.

There are enough dive sites available to keep a group of divers busy and interested over the course of four days which is the amount of time that my buddies and I usually spend. We especially enjoy the warm, clear, and calm water but have been blown out for a day once in a while.

The only "bad" thing that I can think of about our trips is that when the boats are full, it can get a little crowded. My buddies and I tend to go during the "off" seasons though because of the package deals that are offered for diving and lodging and at times have mostly had the boat to ourselves.

Weights are included on the boats and we've never not had enough to go around. Nitrox is blended on site below the OD shop and fills are prompt and full. If you take your own tanks, just make sure that their inspections are current.

If you are looking to dive in Key Largo, Ocean Divers is a good group of folks to dive with.......
Websites Ocean Divers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Virginia Beach, VA; Morehead City, NC; Key Largo, FL; Key West, FL; Ginnie Springs, FL; Lake Rawlings, VA; Bonne Terre Mine; Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, NM; Crater in Midway, UT; Anacapa Island, CA
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 30-100 Ft/ 9-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No deco, must buddy up, and mandatory use of a computer or tables and a timing device.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments I'm not much of a photographer and am neutral on this subject...
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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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