Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

Dive Review of Rainbow Reef/Ramada Inn in
The Continental USA/Florida Keys

Rainbow Reef/Ramada Inn, Apr, 2006,

by Jeremy Ellis, GA, USA (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 9 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 2948.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Rainbow Reef is a dive operation that is trying to make a name for itself but still needs some work. The dive staff is very friendly and helpful. Some of the divemasters are young and don't always show up promptly for the boat to depart in the morning. The nitrox fills tended to be on the low side (30%to 31%) and we had to bring our own analyzer as there wasn't one on the boat. Once out on the water, the service is solid. The boats are equipped with all the necessary equipment (first aid kit, oxygen, etc.). The staff chooses the sites to minimize currents and maximize visibility so you may tie up to a site or two before jumping into the water. A divemaster is always available to guide a dive, but on our boat most divers were happy to dive their own profiles. The captains know the sites well and provide very good reviews of the sites and suggestions on what to see and where to find it. They went out of their way to get us to the dive sites that we wanted to dive, specifically the wrecks which tend to get very crowded. So, we headed out a little earlier to dive the Spiegel Grove, Eagle and the Duane. They have several dive boats and unfortunately for us their large boat was out for repair when we were there so we were a little crowded on their 2 smaller boats (12 divers per boat that should have helf 8-10), but since it was all our group we were OK with the crowding. The diving remains some of the best. The wrecks are amazing with tremendous fish life including schools of jacks and snapper and a Goliath Grouper on the Eagle.

The Ramada Inn is right next to the dock and within walking distance of a few good restaurants. The food in the area is fairly good and not too overpriced. The hotel has a great pool and hot tub that make the surface intervals relaxing.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Aruba, Bahamas, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Caymans, Cozumel, Florida Keys, St. Vincent, Turks & Caicos
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-75 Ft/ 15-23 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Divers with computers were allowed to dive their own profiles. The captain did recommend maximum bottom time.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments The boat had a separate rinse tank for cameras and the staff was very helpful handing you the camera when you entered the water and collecting it from you at the end of the dive. No dry work area on the boat or at the dock.
Was this report helpful to you?
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 692 dive reviews of The Continental USA and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 

Want to assemble your own collection of The Continental USA reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

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.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.1 seconds