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Dive Review of Subtropic Dive Shop in
The Continental USA/Key West, FL

Subtropic Dive Shop, Jun, 2006,

by John A. Fletcher, AL, USA . Report 2542.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Q:"Please tell us the good, the bad, and what you wish you had known before you left home..."
A:The "good news" is a referral from Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo was well deserved, the "bad news" was that an act of vadalism at the Dive Shop caused them a days business. But they handled it like pros that have been down that road before. I wish I had known that the storm that eventually turned into Tropical Storm Alberto(?)would practically almost ruin my UWP opportunites completely... But that is out of everyones control except our Heavenly Father...
Now onto the diving itself: Both days were "Captains Calls" and they were wonderful (given the underwater particule "snow storm"). My fist day of diving was 06/08/06 on Sand Key and Rock Key. They werecovered up with usual list of Tropicals and the corals, seafans, and sponges were plentiful and healthy. On 06/09/06, we dove on the Cayman Salvor and Joe's Tug. Both were impressive wrecks with lots of yearling and adolescent fish and the usual critters. On Joe's Tug, I had the distict pleasure of being the first down the mouring bouy. Even though I had to pause long enough to jockey around with my camers and dive knife to cut away several multi-hook fishing lines.. that stuff is still illegal in a SPA,right??? ;o) I was rewarded by coming upon an adolescent Loggerhead Turtle hanging out on the bow. Then after cruising the deck to the stern and back, I went over the port-side to the sand to see what was in the area... Lo and behold, I came across a very large adult Jewfish (grouper) that was about the size of a small refrigerator!!! Spectacular to say thee least!! Lots of pixs, of course, but only the ones that weree sheltered from our underwater "snow storm" turned out reasonably well... This is another one of those "its not a matter of IF I'm going back out with this Crew, but WHEN!! If you're in the area, get wet and blowing some bubbles with this outfit will be well worth your time and $$$!!! By the way, did I mention the female Manatees and calves that hang out and regularly visit the dock area??? A nice little extra that they've got going on.....

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 26-50 dives
Where else diving Overseas:Maui, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Jamaica
US:Gulf Shores, AL to Destin, FL, Key Largo, FL and Key West, FL
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas choppy
Water Temp 0-0°F / -18--18°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 15-30 Ft/ 5-9 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions None; Standard 500psi when exiting water and normal "S.O.P"s for diving..
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Subtropic Dive Shop ran a top notch operation that had all the right stuff for UWP: seperate freshwater bucket,etc.
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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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