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Scuba Forum / Scuba Locations / May 2005Key Largo Suggestions
I will be visiting Key Largo overnight at the end of May. My son & I want to dive the Duane and the Spiegel Grove. We were thinking of an afternoon 2x tank trip on one of the two, then another 2x tank trip the next morning on the other, before having to return to the Boynton Beach area. There are so many day trip operators in the area its very hard to figure out who to book with. I dove with "ItsAdive" about 10 years ago, and was quite satisfied, but they seem to be a little overpriced, and I was interested in trying someone new. We will have all of our own equipment with us, including tanks etc. Any thoughts suggestions would be appreciated. "Tanks!" <> Rick <> Rick, I would have to say Quiescence is probably one of the oldest and reliable outfits in Largo, and may be your top chaice for the fact that they take six max. Personally haven't used them in years, but still see them highly recommended in this NG, doubting they have lost any respectability. Try them at: http://www.keylargodiving.com/ My kids certification dives were done last year through Island Ventures and they appeared to run a good dive operation, but a much bigger boat. They are at: http://www.islandventure.com/# The two are also about a stones throw apart. They have all gone up considerably in ten years; I remember $30 for a boat fee. With tanks and weights, they all seem to run $70-75 for a two tank dive that includes tanks and weights. With fills costing $5 and tank rental $8, we haven't bothered hauling the tanks in years for the $6/pp we would save on a two tank dive. George >I will be visiting Key Largo overnight at the end of May. > My son & I want to dive the Duane and the Spiegel Grove. We were thinking [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > <> Rick <> Okay, Okay.............it's KEY Largo, but I haven't seen Largo, Florida (near Tampa) on any top dive destinations lately. I wonder how many people know that Marathon is not a key, but a city? Answer at bottom of post. > Rick, > > I would have to say Quiescence is probably one of the oldest and reliable > outfits in Largo, and may be your top chaice and that would be "choice" while I'm at it; usually run spell check cause I kant spel wirth a dam. for the fact that they take six > max. Personally haven't used them in years, but still see them highly > recommended in this NG, doubting they have lost any respectability. Try [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] >> >> <> Rick <> The answer is: Marathon is a city located on Vaca Key. > Marathon is a city located on Vaca Key. Marathon is actually in Greece........well the original is Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK Take out the "goes diving" bit.... Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk Dave, Yes, and Philadephia is in Turkey http://www.biblepicturegallery.com/Pictures/Philadelphia.htm and, Memphis is actually in Egypt: http://ancientneareast.tripod.com/Memphis.html George >> Marathon is a city located on Vaca Key. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Take out the "goes diving" bit.... > Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk >> Marathon is a city located on Vaca Key. > > Marathon is actually in Greece........well the original is It's just that I have never in my 23 years in Florida heard anyone refer to Marathon as Vaca Key. > Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK > Take out the "goes diving" bit.... > Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk > The answer is: Marathon is a city located on Vaca Key. I don't think it important to differentiate Key Vaca from Marathon, because there is no part of Key Vaca that isn't part of Marathon, But since there are parts of Marathon (Boot key, Hog Key, Night Key, East and West Sisters etc.) that aren't Key Vaca.....calling the whole area "Marathon", makes good sense. When I was younger and could drink all night and throwup through my regulator in the morning, I lived in Marathon for a while......can anyone tell me if the Idle Hour is still open? >> The answer is: Marathon is a city located on Vaca Key. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >etc.) that aren't Key Vaca.....calling the whole area "Marathon", makes good >sense. Marathon was named by Flagler's work crews. They said that building the railroad was 'a marathon'. They were working 7 days a week and long hours to get finished before he died - which they did. I did know that Marathon was really on several keys including Vaca Key, and also that Boot Key is considered part of Marathon, as is Boot Key Harbor. The fact that most of the surrounding area gets their mail through the Marathon PO though doesn't mean that those places aren't separate and distinct places. >When I was younger and could drink all night and throwup through my >regulator in the morning, I lived in Marathon for a while......can anyone >tell me if the Idle Hour is still open? I don't remember ever seeing it. grandma Rosalie > Marathon was named by Flagler's work crews. They said that building > the railroad was 'a marathon'. They were working 7 days a week and > long hours to get finished before he died - which they did. I'm sorry, I don't understand why you posted this. > I did know that Marathon was really on several keys including Vaca > Key, and also that Boot Key is considered part of Marathon, as is Boot > Key Harbor. The fact that most of the surrounding area gets their > mail through the Marathon PO though doesn't mean that those places > aren't separate and distinct places. That's a response to a comment never made. The City of Marathon is located on more than Key Vaca, That someone, somewhere else would want to call other keys and islands that aren't within the city limits "Marathon, because their mail clears thru the marathon PO is not of any immediate pertinence to my statement. >>can anyone >>tell me if the Idle Hour is still open? > I don't remember ever seeing it. About 18 people have e-mailed me to say...yep, it's still there, never closed, still on AIA. >> Marathon was named by Flagler's work crews. They said that building >> the railroad was 'a marathon'. They were working 7 days a week and >> long hours to get finished before he died - which they did. > >I'm sorry, I don't understand why you posted this. Because someone (you?) posted a completely irrelevant comment about there not being a Marathon Key. >> I did know that Marathon was really on several keys including Vaca >> Key, and also that Boot Key is considered part of Marathon, as is Boot [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >their mail clears thru the marathon PO is not of any immediate pertinence to >my statement. It is common for people to call Hog Key and Key Colony Beach and other nearby places Marathon. >>>can anyone >>>tell me if the Idle Hour is still open? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >About 18 people have e-mailed me to say...yep, it's still there, never >closed, still on AIA. A1A isn't in Marathon. There is an Idle Hour in Deerfield Beach on A1A though. grandma Rosalie >>I'm sorry, I don't understand why you posted this. > > Because someone (you?) Wasn't me. > posted a completely irrelevant comment about > there not being a Marathon Key. Since his intention was to illuminate that Marathon is not a Key, I think his comment was entirely relevant....and probably an interesting fact for those not completly familiar with that portion of the Keys. In fact being the heart of his point, I don't see that it could have been more relevant. > It is common for people to call Hog Key and Key Colony Beach and other > nearby places Marathon. So? Key Colony Beach is within the city of Marathon as is the lower section of Fat Deer Key. Now...the question is whether or not Key Colony Beach is on Fat Deer Key...or a key/island to itself :^) > A1A isn't in Marathon. Of course it is. And it continues South all the way down to either Bertha or Roosevelt in Key West. Your mistake is thinking that where it runs concurrent with US1 it no longer is Florida A1A, but that is quite incorrect. Signing regimens are that national roads get top billing. But A1A runs the entire length of the Keys, diverging from US 1 for on 2 or 3 miles. > There is an Idle Hour in Deerfield Beach on A1A though. Did you say something about someone else's "completely irrelevant comment"? >>>I'm sorry, I don't understand why you posted this. >> >> Because someone (you?) > >Wasn't me. OK >> posted a completely irrelevant comment about >> there not being a Marathon Key. > >Since his intention was to illuminate that Marathon is not a Key, I think >his comment was entirely relevant....and probably an interesting fact for I thought and still think he was just showing off. Marathon isn't a Key, but it isn't really important. >those not completly familiar with that portion of the Keys. In fact being >the heart of his point, I don't see that it could have been more relevant. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >of Fat Deer Key. Now...the question is whether or not Key Colony Beach is on >Fat Deer Key...or a key/island to itself :^) I think Key Colony is a separate town. IIRC they have a town hall and they also have rules like - no rafting at the dock, and no living aboard. Fat Deer Key doesn't have such rules or at least they are not enforced, and Marathon certainly does not have such rules. >> A1A isn't in Marathon. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >incorrect. Signing regimens are that national roads get top billing. But A1A >runs the entire length of the Keys, diverging from US 1 for on 2 or 3 miles. There is an A1A in various places along the east coast of Florida, and also out in the panhandle. I haven't been able find anywhere in the Keys that it is different from US 1. Where does this happen? >> There is an Idle Hour in Deerfield Beach on A1A though. > >Did you say something about someone else's "completely irrelevant comment"? That was meant to be slightly sarcastic. I have been completely unable to find any reference to Idle Hour in Marathon. Of course it probably isn't my kind of establishment, so maybe I missed it. A1A isn't AFAIK signed in Marathon so I think the reference to it is somewhat egregious. grandma Rosalie >>Since his intention was to illuminate that Marathon is not a Key, I think >>his comment was entirely relevant....and probably an interesting fact for [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >>those not completly familiar with that portion of the Keys. In fact being >>the heart of his point, I don't see that it could have been more relevant. Gee, were you able to follow the thread back to me? Doesn't seem like it. Lee Bell had pointed out to another, that Largo (as I made the fau pas) is no where near Key Largo, and that some people take offence to not being correctly identified. After correcting myself, I thought I would throw out the thought that no one refers to Marathon as Vaca Key. Lee, did not seem to notice, care, or was out of town. Any of the aforementioned is accepable. As Daniel pointed out, Marathon comprises many Keys....but Vaca is most of it (more knit picking). My thought was, simplified, if people in the Keys are sensitive to their idenification, why isn't Marathon a problem for identification....there is no such key. Irrelevant? My Google search came up with Marathon Key at the top of the list. Interesting, since it doesn't exist. How would you like to be named something that doesn't exist? Lee Bell has traveled, and actively travels through out the Florida Keys (that you apparently, new to this group would not know) and I trust his opinion if I didn't get it right. Daniel, good information. Rosalie, I thought Marathon had to be named after something like that; good information, even if things seem to be irrelevant to you. Anything goes here; irrelevant is relevant in this news group. In addition, I'm from Detroit, but lived in Bloomfield Hills. I now live in Orlando, Fl, but actually live in Windermere; it's all relative. May not make sense, but I could really give a sh.t one way or another . George > Lee Bell had pointed out to another, that Largo (as I made the fau pas) is > no where near Key Largo, and that some people take offence to not being > correctly identified. After correcting myself, I thought I would throw > out the thought that no one refers to Marathon as Vaca Key. Lee, did not > seem to notice, care, or was out of town. Any of the aforementioned is > accepable. I might have been out of town. I no longer carry my own computer when traveling and, while I can still get to the groups through Google, I don't like doing so as much as through my normal ISP. I'm not allowed, and thanks to all the spam and viruses floating around these days, chose not to risk my government computer the way I don't mind risking my personal ones. Also, I haven't followed this theat that closely. I didn't see anything I found particularly offensive in the discussion and found some of it interesting enough to stop and read. Some things are acceptable and some aren't. Generally, it's acceptabel to use the name of a better known place for an area, but it's very rarely OK to add or subtract the word "Key" from the name of anyplace. That's particularly true of Key Largo because there is a Largo, Florida. It's in the Tampa area (yes, I know it's between St. Petersburg and Clearwater, but not everybody knows where that is. Interestingly, Largo Sound is near Key Largo, not Largo. Nobody sayd it would be easy. Marathon is fine for the area, even though it may not be specific enough to find a specific location, but Marathin Key is another hot button for the locals. > As Daniel pointed out, Marathon comprises many Keys....but Vaca is most of > it (more knit picking). My thought was, simplified, if people in the Keys > are sensitive to their idenification, why isn't Marathon a problem for > identification....there is no such key. Irrelevant? Because Marathon is used to refer to an area. > Lee Bell has traveled, and actively travels through out the Florida Keys > (that you apparently, new to this group would not know) and I trust his > opinion if I didn't get it right. Thanks, but be careful trusting me on the accuracy of details. I'm local to the upper Keys and a S. Florida native. Miami Dade County is still Dade County to me. Coral Gables, where I was born, is the Gables and anything near Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon or Key West is Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon or Key West. I'm not even sure I know what island(s) Islamorada is on, Upper Matacumbe, probably, possibly/probably more of them. I rarely have cause to be specific except when traveling by boat and even then, I'm as likely to refer to features by common names rather than their correct ones. I know where the Key Largo Cross Key Channel is, but don't have a clue as to the real name of the cut through the island. I've passed the signs hundreds of times, without mentally recording what they say. I grew up refering to Key Vaca (could be one word or two). Everything now seems to say Vaca Key except my charts, which say VACAKEY. My street maps, made by the same company that does my electronic charts, says it's Vaca Key. I haven't a clue which is right and, except for when I'm nit picking, don't care. The locals, however, probably do care. Marathon is safer. Lee >> Lee Bell had pointed out to another, that Largo (as I made the fau pas) is >> no where near Key Largo, and that some people take offence to not being >> correctly identified. After correcting myself, I thought I would throw >> out the thought that no one refers to Marathon as Vaca Key. Lee, did not >> seem to notice, care, or was out of town. Any of the aforementioned is >> accepable. <snip> >I didn't see anything I found particularly offensive in the discussion and >found some of it interesting enough to stop and read. Some things are [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] >haven't a clue which is right and, except for when I'm nit picking, don't >care. The locals, however, probably do care. Marathon is safer. We drove down the Keys for the first time in a very long time, and I found it quite confusing compared to being in the boat where everything is nicely labeled on the chart.. Key Largo postal district (MM 100) goes down to Tavernier and includes Rodriguez Key. It looks like Tavernier (MM 92) is a town on Plantation Key. Tavernier Key is not connected by land to Plantation Key where the town is. Tavernier is included in the Key Largo "area" Islamorada PO is at MM 83 but the Islamorada area includes Windley Key, Upper Matecombe, Lower Matecombe, Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key, and down to Long Key at MM 68.5, although Long Key has it's own PO. In the middle keys we have Key Colony Beach which is off to the side and has its own PO and Marathon Shores which also has a PO at MM52.5. But Marathon (MM50) area includes Conch Key, Grassy Key, Duck Key, Crawl Key, Fat Deer Key, Coco Plum, Stirrup Key, Pretty Joe Rock, Tingler Island, East and West Sister Rock, Palm Island, Vaca Key, Boot Key, Knight Key, Hog Key, and Pigeon Key. And I might have missed some. grandma Rosalie > We drove down the Keys for the first time in a very long time, and I > found it quite confusing compared to being in the boat where > everything is nicely labeled on the chart.. It has changed a lot since I was a kid. > Key Largo postal district (MM 100) goes down to Tavernier and includes > Rodriguez Key. It looks like Tavernier (MM 92) is a town on > Plantation Key. Tavernier Key is not connected by land to Plantation > Key where the town is. Tavernier is included in the Key Largo "area" Sounds about right. Actually, we used to remember Plantation Key by Plantation Yacht Harbor. It's not what it used to be. The hotel and restaurant were razed and the property was turned into a public (I think) park. The marina is still there. > Islamorada PO is at MM 83 but the Islamorada area includes Windley > Key, Upper Matecombe, Lower Matecombe, Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key, > and down to Long Key at MM 68.5, although Long Key has it's own PO. Sounds right, but I'm pretty sure there's a few additional towns tucked into that area. > In the middle keys we have Key Colony Beach which is off to the side > and has its own PO and Marathon Shores which also has a PO at MM52.5. > But Marathon (MM50) area includes Conch Key, Grassy Key, Duck Key, > Crawl Key, Fat Deer Key, Coco Plum, Stirrup Key, Pretty Joe Rock, > Tingler Island, East and West Sister Rock, Palm Island, Vaca Key, Boot > Key, Knight Key, Hog Key, and Pigeon Key. And I might have missed > some. It's a confusing area. Anybody might miss some. Lee >>>Since his intention was to illuminate that Marathon is not a Key, I think >>>his comment was entirely relevant....and probably an interesting fact for [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] >up with Marathon Key at the top of the list. Interesting, since it doesn't >exist. How would you like to be named something that doesn't exist? It is an irritation. >Lee Bell has traveled, and actively travels through out the Florida Keys >(that you apparently, new to this group would not know) and I trust his [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >Rosalie, I thought Marathon had to be named after something like that; good >information, even if things seem to be irrelevant to you. I didn't think that it was irrelevant - just irrelevant to the discussion of diving in Key Largo. I did think that the information on the name might add a little bit to the discussion. >Anything goes here; irrelevant is relevant in this news group. grandma Rosalie > I didn't think that it was irrelevant - just irrelevant to the > discussion of diving in Key Largo. I did think that the information > on the name might add a little bit to the discussion. I think so too. >> The answer is: Marathon is a city located on Vaca Key. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > regulator in the morning, I lived in Marathon for a while......can anyone > tell me if the Idle Hour is still open? I would recommend "Silent World" , with whom I dived twice and have always been happy with: http://www.silentworldkeylargo.com/index.html As regards your dives, note that 2 dives on the Spiegel is a minimum... there is so much to see. If you are certified, it may be a good idea to use Nitrox on the Spiegel (max depth is 40 meters, so you can use a 32% mix). No info about the Duane...yet! > Rick, > [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > > > <> Rick <> I would recommend "Silent World" , with whom I dived twice (2x10 dives) and have always been happy with: http://www.silentworldkeylargo.com/index.html As regards your dives, note that 2 dives on the Spiegel is a minimum... there is so much to see. If you are certified, it may be a good idea to use Nitrox on the Spiegel (max depth is 40 meters, so you can use a 32% mix). No info about the Duane...yet! > > >I will be visiting Key Largo overnight at the end of May. > > > My son & I want to dive the Duane and the Spiegel Grove. We were [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > > > > > <> Rick <> > Rick, > > I would have to say Quiescence is probably one of the oldest and reliable > outfits in Largo, and may be your top chaice for the fact that they take > six max. I don't think they dive the deeper wrecks twice in a row either in the morning or in the afternoon. They almost always follow Duane.Bibb,SP with a second dive at a shallow reef. I don't think any of the other old-timers...Ocean Divers, Slate etc do either If I am not mistaken the OP was looking to double up the wrecks in the afternoon and then again the next morning. My family and friends ALWAYS utilize Capt Brian Berry with Island Ventures Mile MNarker 104: http://www.islandventure.com/ His crew is THE BEST for wreck diving for sure! We have done 5 trips over the past 2 years with Brian. Tell him PAt COok from Tampa said Hi! -Pat >I will be visiting Key Largo overnight at the end of May. >My son & I want to dive the Duane and the Spiegel Grove. We were thinking of [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > ><> Rick <> Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the info! <> Rick <> > I will be visiting Key Largo overnight at the end of May. > My son & I want to dive the Duane and the Spiegel Grove. We were thinking of [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > <> Rick <> |
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