2023 Key Largo Trip
A relaxed Keys getaway centered on diving with Sea Dwellers in Key Largo. This guide covers where to stay near the marina, what to expect on the boat, the typical diver mix, how Nitrox is handled, and how to plan mornings of diving while keeping non-diver companions happy.
Planning and Lodging
Key Largo is a straightforward drive from Miami, which makes flight logistics simple and rental cars easy. We flew into Miami, rented a car, and headed south for the week. The Keys are connected by a series of bridges, so you can roam from Key Largo to Key West in a day with stops if you plan your timing.
Cities along the chain are small, so most hotels or an AirBnB in Key Largo work fine. Pricing skews high for the age and quality of many hotels, so groups may find an AirBnB competitive. If you stay at the Courtyard Marriott, you can walk to the docks that host Sea Dwellers and Rainbow Reef.
Boat and Diving Experience
Sea Dwellers is smaller than Rainbow Reef, which many divers prefer to avoid a large boat feel. The dock area has ample parking and a couple of spots to eat along the walkway, plus fishing charters and tourist cruises. Nothing fancy, but fun to stroll and look at the boats.
The harbor sits just outside the reef, so typical ride time to sites is under an hour. Space permitting, the platform may mix snorkelers and divers. On my trip we had snorkelers, an Open Water checkout, an Advanced Open Water pair, three divers in technical-style gear, a new diver who became seasick, instructors, a divemaster, and the captain. For Nitrox, analysis and log sheets were handled at the dock before boarding.
The boat layout was standard: covered bench area with tanks, a small forward galley, a top sun deck, and a forward bow where most snorkelers relaxed. Mornings ran a two tank dive before lunch, with an optional second two tank block in the afternoon.
Balancing Diving with Non-Divers
I dove the morning two tank block and kept afternoons open for time with my non-diver spouse. She slept in, explored by car, and met me around noon. After a quick rinse and gear hang at the hotel, we grabbed lunch and did relaxed sightseeing. This schedule worked well and kept both diving and vacation time enjoyable.
Key West Side Trip
We planned two buffer days after diving for a slow drive to Key West, stopping in Islamorada for artist shops. The route is scenic and easy if you give yourself time for short breaks. In Key West we aimed for dinner and sunset near the southernmost point and found it popular, so arrive a bit early for parking and views.
Key West is tourist heavy near the main strips, but wandering the side streets is rewarding. Quiet neighborhoods, small galleries, and shaded porches make for a nice contrast to the crowded waterfront areas.