Florida, Looe Key

Author: G. Brent Dalrymple

My wife and I just spent a few days diving at Looe Key, in the lower Florida Keys, and thought some information about conditions and operators might be useful for anyone thinking of diving there this time of year. We had relatively calm weather, which is not particularly typical for this time of year. Our 3mm full wetsuits were comfortable but I wouldn't want any less-I was fine but my wife got a little cold on each of the second dives.

Conditions:
Saturday morning 16 January Air T=78F Water T=75F (both surface and at 25') Waves 1-2' Vis 25-30' Looe Key Dive Ctr. 8 divers, 8 snorkelers

Monday morning 18 January Air T=78F Water T=77F (both surface and at 25') Waves 2-3' Vis 30-40' Underseas, Inc. 9 divers, 1 snorkeler

Looe Key is a NOAA Marine Sanctuary about 7-8 miles south of Ramrod Key. The reef is about ¾ mile long and has a number of N-S coral fingers on the seaward side that slope down to a flat sand bottom with a maximum depth of 30'. Between the fingers there is also sand so one can swim slowly along between the fingers close to the reef without disturbing any of the local residents. We also enjoyed just sitting on the sand bottom between the fingers and letting the fish gather around us. Critters are plentiful with a large variety of soft and hard corals, sponges and fish. Lots of barracuda and colorful reef fishes (angelfish, yellowtail snappers, sgt. majors, parrot fish, etc.) with the occasional grouper, eel, ray, lobster, etc. It's an easy dive with bottom time limited only by air supply and boat schedule.

Both operators were satisfactory, used similar boats in good condition (35' or so platform boats with twin 225-250hp outboards), and had nearly identical schedules. The crews (skipper +1) kept careful track of the divers and were very attentive, helpful, and friendly. Looe Key Dive Ctr. did not allow smoking on their boat, which we liked, and Underseas did. Looe Key Dive Ctr. seemed to be a bit better organized but overall the differences between the two operators was minimal. Departure was about 0900 for the morning trip. The trip to the reef was about 30 min. Time on site was about 60-70 minutes, which gives about 45-55 minutes of actual dive time. After the first site the boat moves (takes about 5-10 minutes) to another site for another 60-70 minutes, then back to the dock by 1230 or so. Afternoon drill we understand is essentially a repeat of the morning but starting about 1300. The two-dive trip, including tanks and weights, costs about $40-45 plus tax. The boats were not crowded on the two days we dove, but they look like they are set up for as many as 30-35 people and that might be a bit crowded.

Summary: An excellent experience and no complaints. We'll go back and do it again as soon as we can.