What is the ratio of divers who departed  vs divers who returned with the
boat?

Business in general and tourism especially is WAY off in Florida.
Thanksgiving may not be bad at all.

Don't take this as an insult: As you are new divers, the Keys will suit
you well. Most of the operations in the keys are cattle boats, loaded
with several dozen new/infrequent/low skill divers and snorkelers. If
you are up for the "group" experience, most any boat will do. There are
also a number of six-packs operating that will give you more personal
attention and, generally, better dive sites (not always).

So ask the operator how many folks the boat carries, and go with what
yer extrovert/introvert instincts tell you.

If yer going to be there for a while, try different operations. There is
no advantage (and some disadvantages) to diving with the same operation
for several days.

And have a good time.

m

Probably not as packed as you might expect.  Thanksgiving falls on Thursday
and not everybody can make a 4 days weekend of it.  Further, the holiday
tends to bring families together at somebody's home rather than on an island
chain.  Don't let that keep you from making reservations for hotels and for
diving.

Some of the shops we used to recommend are closed.  Conch Key Divers has
gotten some good reviews.  I've not used them, but I've visited while aboard
one of my own boats.  They certainly seem like the kind of people I'd chose
to dive with.  Jim Wyatt, Florida Reef Divers, is in Cudjoe Key.  He's a
favorite, as is one of the sites he serves, Looe Key.  Cudjoe is a bit
further than Marathon, but not a lot further.  Looe Key is one of the best
shallow dives in the Keys.

If money's not a significant issue, pretty much any small operator can
custom design a good dive trip pretty much anyplace in the Keys.

Easy, well sort of easy.  Make a lot of calls specifically requesting
information on boat capacity, maximum number of divers the boat will take
and dive sites the operator plans to visit.  Get specific information on
depths and probable current.  It doesn't hurt to ask about the target level
for each dive, but get the details and confirm, for yourself, that you're
comfortable with the diving the operator has to offer.  Be skeptical of any
operator that says something like, the ships lies in 120 feet.  It's
suitable for divers of all levels.  In other words, watch out for operators
that will put their desire for income above your need to stay within your
competence level.

Smaller capacity boats tend to be more flexible regarding dive location.
They also tend to offer more personal service if you ask.  On the good ones,
such service is available, but they wait for you to ask.  Don't be shy.  If
you want personal attention from a DM, arrange it in advance.  It's not part
of the standard package.

Lee

I dove with Capt Jim Wyatt of Reef Divers in Cudjoe Key in January.

Capt Jim is top notch.