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Dive Review of Quiescence Dive Services/Best Western Key Largo Suites in
The Continental USA/Key Largo Florida

Quiescence Dive Services/Best Western Key Largo Suites, Sep, 2004,

by Martin Raffauf, CA, USA . Report 1352.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Went with Quiescence due to small boats. They take a max of six divers per boat. Boats are 30 ft, with shower, but no heads. Most sites are close to shore, ie reefs and the Benwood Wreck. The big wrecks, the Duane, Bibb and Spiegle Grove are about 6 miles off shore right on the edge of the gulfstream. When there is current, these are advanced dives only. In fact if you are not an advanced diver, or have made a deep dive in the past 6 months, they make you take a divemaster along ($50 charge). The days we went, they said were the best in months, with little to no current, visability of 80 feet, and water temp was 85 -87F

We did three tanks on the Spiegle Grove, an artifical reef sunk last year. It is some 530 feet long and on its side in 135 feet, with a approx 60 ft beam, so the shallowest part of the wreck amidships is about 70 feet. There is some good coral growth already on it, and the wreck was sanitized prior to sinking, so there are some good swim thru's. We were able to explore the bridge which is about 95 feet, and traverse the galley area. There is alot of fish life, on and in the wreck. Several large Barracuda seem to be patrolling there all the time.

Quiesence is very good as Keys dive operators go. The people are very knowledgeable of the sites and area. A dive master can be hired as an extra if desired or needed. Rates, without dive master are good, $65 for two tanks and weights. Nitrox is also available. The boats are small, but this keeps the groups small, and it is not a cattle boat operation like some of the others there. They have a cooler on board. you can bring your own food and drinks if desired, all they provide is water.

The Best Western suites, is an Ok place. two story suite motel with full kitchen and two baths, located on one of the canals at mile marker 100. The AC works, but it is a generic hotel, no restaurant or pool or anything else. There are plenty of decent places to eat in the keys though.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Hawaii, Cayman, Cozumel, Bonaire, Australia, Palau, Solomon Islands
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 84-87°F / 29-31°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 60-80 Ft/ 18-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Computer diving - No deco, if going with Guide, if on your own, you were on your own
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 5 stars
UW Photo Comments Plenty of develop shops on Key Largo for photos.
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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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