Key Dives

Located in Islamorada, Key Dives serves as a central hub for exploring the diverse reefs and wrecks of the Upper Florida Keys. The centre is built around a professional approach to diving, combining high-quality equipment with a deep understanding of the local marine environment.

Beyond standard recreational diving, the centre is heavily involved in the ecological health of the region. They work closely with I.CARE on coral restoration projects, allowing divers to engage with the environment through specific outplanting dives and reef cleaning initiatives.

The team consists of experienced instructors and local captains who provide guided dives throughout Islamorada and the surrounding areas. They maintain a professional standard of safety and instruction, with a maximum ratio of six divers per guide to ensure attentive supervision.

Training is delivered through both PADI and SSI affiliations, catering to a wide range of skill levels. For those looking to progress professionally, the centre offers pathways through Divemaster and Instructor Training Courses (ITC), including Assistant Instructor programmes.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering everything from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Diver to advanced certifications like Advanced Open Water Diver and Deep Diver. They also offer specialised training such as Wreck Diver, Drift Diver, and Navigation.

For professionals and those seeking technical skills, the centre provides Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and full Instructor Training Courses (ITC). They also host specialty courses including Peak Performance Buoyancy, Night and Limited Visibility Diving, and Search and Recovery. Conservation-focused training is also available, such as the PADI Dive Against Debris course and coral ecology programmes.

The Newton 42' is the primary vessel used for trips, designed to accommodate up to 25 divers or 36 snorkelers. The boat is equipped with shaded areas to provide cover from the sun during the trip out to the reefs.

On board, you will find essential amenities including toilets, freshwater showers, and a cooler. The crew provides fresh fruit and potable water to keep you hydrated between dives. The vessel is configured to support various dive profiles, including night dives and drift dives.

Key Dives operates as a Mares Platinum Dealer, meaning their rental kit is high-quality and regularly maintained, with equipment typically less than 12 months old. Full rental sets are available for those not travelling with their own gear.

Shore-based facilities include a full concierge service where your equipment can be set up and stored overnight. There are dedicated rinsing stations and storage areas to ensure your kit is well-looked after. For those completing training, the centre provides the necessary equipment and supports various learning formats.

The reefs are teeming with a diverse array of fish, including various parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and jacks. You will frequently encounter groupers, moray eels, and large schools of jacks, alongside smaller species like hamlet and French grunts.

Large pelagics are a regular feature of the area, with nurse sharks and bull sharks appearing on the reefs. For those looking for something more specific, bonnethead hammerhead sharks are present during much of the year. You may also spot spotted eagle rays and various species of rays moving across the sandy sections.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants include garden eels, scorpionfish, and various blennies such as sailfin blennies and pike blennies. Look closely in the reef structures to find octopus, sea urchins, and various invertebrates.

The seabed and reef structures are defined by vibrant hard corals, including massive star corals, brain corals, and barrel sponges. Gorgonians and sea fans add colour to the walls, while various species of lobster and spiny lobster inhabit the crevices.

Diving in this region typically involves reef environments with varying depths. While many sites are shallow, others like the Eagle Wreck require advanced certification due to their depth and structure. The area is well-suited for drift diving and night diving, depending on the specific site selected.