Best Scuba Diving In Key West For 2023
Want to know the best scuba diving in Key West?
Key West is a scuba diver’s paradise. There is an abundance of coral and marine life you can see and experience, making Key West an undoubtedly stunning location to explore the mysteries of the sea.
Whether you want to check out the amazing marine life or see old wreckages or two, there is plenty to explore.
Key West is home to the only living barrier reef system in North America, and it is also where you can find intricate reef formations around the coastline.
Not only is the environment breathtaking, but also there are a multitude of unique and beautiful fish you can expect to see on a scuba trip to Key West, if you are lucky.
From the humble parrot fish to the loggerhead sea turtle, there are hundreds of marine species you can enjoy.
With so many dive centers around Key West, there are a lot of options to choose from. We are going to break down some of the best ones so that you can make the best choice based on what you want to do.
1.Southpoint Divers
You can find Southpoint Divers in the center of Old Town, Key West on Front Street. Their shop carries all your diving essentials and their dive boat ‘The Phoenix’ is docked right across the street at the Hyatt Resort and Marina.
A few of the dives Southpoint Divers offers are double-wreck dives, double-reef dives, and night dives. But, what if you have never been scuba diving? Southpoint has you covered. They offer a one-day course that allows you to grasp the basics of diving and how the gear works before scuba diving.
So, if you would like to check scuba diving off your bucket list, or you would just like to experience marine life, Southpoint Divers is a great place to start.
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2.Captain’s Corner Dive Center
Captain’s Corner has been around since 1985 and is well known for being excellent for all levels of diver.
From beginner to divemaster. With this dive center, you can see the third-largest coral barrier reef in the world, they are located inside the National Marine Sanctuary.
This fact alone makes diving at Key West all the more appealing. The Sanctuary is home to spectacular coral and fish.
You could also dive the Vandenberg wreck, it is well known in diving circles and is the second-largest artificial reef worldwide.
Their dive boat is named ‘The Sea Eagle’, it is a large and comfortable vessel with two levels you can explore.
So if you would like to sunbathe or relax in the shade, you have the option. While you are waiting to get to your dive location, there are all the amenities on board to make you comfortable. From showers to camera tables.
There is a lot to love about the experience you get with The Captain’s Corner Dive Center.
3.Lost Reef Adventures
Lost Reef Adventures offers daily scuba diving trips as well as scuba diving certifications and private charters. The Sambos Reef, Joe’s Tug, Sand Key, and Cayman Salvage are a few of the main attractions that Lost Reef Adventures offers on its dives.
As well as scuba diving, they offer courses, snorkeling, and special excursions. With so much to offer and great reviews from their past clients, Lost Reef Adventures is a great place to learn how to scuba dive or to enjoy an excursion as an experienced diver.
They also offer certifications for beginners. You can learn at a resort course, if you are curious about scuba diving you can try it out for a day in a pool. You can also take an open water course for both beginner and advanced divers.
Overall, Lost Reef Adventures has a lot to offer and has something for everyone.
4.Finz Dive Center
Finz Dive Center offers scuba diving, spearfishing, custom charters, dive certification, and that’s just the beginning. The Finz Dive Center is known as one of the most versatile in Key West and the Florida Keys.
Not only do they offer a wide range of services, but they also have a store which can outfit you with the equipment you need. From simple snorkeling gear to more technical scuba diving gear.
There are a great many dives you can opt for with Finz Diving Center. You can explore the reefs, wreckages, nighttime marine life, or you can check out Vandenberg. But your options do not stop there, this dive center also offers a trip to Tortugas which is about 70 miles (112.65 km) from Key West.
So if you go with Finz Dive Center you will have everything at your fingertips and no doubt have a good experience scuba diving.
5.Key West Island Charters
Key West Island Charters is a great diving center for people of all skill levels. If you already have a certification in scuba diving, all you have to do is bring along your certification card, and you can enjoy the various trips they offer.
If you do not have experience in scuba diving, there are several options to learn. From open water certification to EFR (Emergency First Response) certification, there are plenty of options for any level.
The diving options depend on what you would prefer. There is a half-day trip, full-day trip, or a Discover scuba diving trip. So depending on the time you have available, you can best decide what suits you. Key West Island Charters even offer water and light snacks on their excursions.
Overall, they have a great deal to offer and are certainly worth checking out to see if they suit your needs.
Final Thoughts
These are five of the best places to scuba dive in Key West, each diving center offers its own deals and options.
They also tend to take trips to the same locations, the reef, wreckages, and national marine sanctuaries. Regardless of which diving center you pick, there are options for people of various levels. That is all on the best scuba diving in Key West.
These diving centers are some of the best in Key West, as such, there should be something to suit your needs and give you the chance to enjoy the wonders of scuba diving.
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