3 Reviews
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We dove the famous reefs and wrecks off Key Largo on a Monday in June with BlueWater Divers. The dive charter included our instructor, all tanks and weights, and took us down into clear blue water where coral gardens and marine life came into view. Between dive sites, we grabbed snacks and fresh water on the boat while taking in the unique underwater world that makes this Florida Keys location so memorable.
Our instructor from BlueWater Divers led us out on the Monday morning dive charter with clear conditions and excellent visibility. The trip lasted between 3 and 4 hours, hitting two different dive sites based on weather and our group's certification levels. We had just one diver in our group, which meant personalized attention and flexibility in planning the route.
Pricing is straightforward: certified divers pay $100 (bring your certification card), and snorkelers are $95. Only a 25% deposit is required upfront, with the balance due after the dives are complete. We didn't have to worry about tanks, weights, or checking gear - everything was provided and ready to go. The boat handled the logistics so we could focus on what we came for: exploring underwater.
What made the experience smooth was what BlueWater Divers included. We had access to a dock-side rinse tank for gear, an onboard camera rinse station, free parking, restrooms, and hot showers after the trip. These details matter when you're spending a morning on the water and want to rinse off salt water properly before heading out. Snacks and fresh water kept us comfortable between dive sites.
To book, select your date and the system will show gear rental and guide options. If you're looking for something more private or customized, they offer private charters as well. The key requirement for certified divers is having your card - either digital or physical - to show your highest certification level. Ages 10 and up can dive; snorkelers must be 8 and up.
The dive charter gives you a choice of dive sites: two beautiful reefs, a wreck and reef combination, or two wrecks. The specific sites depend on what's best given weather conditions, water clarity, and the lowest certification level in your group. We experienced clear blue water with excellent visibility, which made the coral formations and marine life below really stand out. The boat itself is comfortable for small groups - it handles up to 6 people maximum with enough deck space to move around between dives.
What struck us most was how different each dive site felt. The coral gardens had vibrant colors and active reef fish, while the wreck offered a different kind of exploration - swimming through history underwater. Having a knowledgeable instructor made the difference in understanding what we were seeing and staying safe in the water.
The water around Key Largo is remarkably clear and blue. Looking down from the boat, you could see the reef structure and marine life before even descending. The coral ecosystems here support a variety of fish species and reef formations that make each dive site unique. The underwater topography ranges from coral gardens with vibrant colors to historic shipwrecks that have become artificial reefs over time.
What makes Key Largo special as a dive destination is the combination of natural reefs and accessible wreck dives. The warm, clear water allows for good visibility most days, which means you can actually see the details of the coral formations and the marine life living there. The reefs themselves are living ecosystems - they're not just scenic, they're active and dynamic. During our dive, we observed reef fish moving through the corals and the intricate structure that supports the entire underwater community.
The wreck dives offered something different. Historical shipwrecks become dive sites over many years as they settle and become part of the reef ecosystem. Swimming through these structures, you get a sense of maritime history while exploring an environment that's now thriving with marine life that has colonized the wreck. The combination of history and nature makes it a compelling experience.
The boat ride out to the dive sites is part of the experience too. You're moving through the waters of the Florida Keys, with the shallow reefs visible beneath the surface before you get to the deeper dive sites offshore. The crew knows these waters and can point out what's happening below based on water color and conditions. By the time you enter the water, you understand more about what you're about to see.
A typical dive charter runs between 3 and 4 hours total. That includes boat time to the dive sites, two separate dives with time to prepare and transition between them, and the ride back to the dock. The timing works well for a morning or afternoon activity that doesn't consume your entire day.
What to bring: your certification card, a log book if you keep one, and any personal items you want onboard. What not to worry about: tanks, weights, basic snacks, and fresh water are all provided. After the dives, you can rinse your gear at the dock, take a shower on site, and head out. Free parking means you don't need to factor that into your costs.
The boat accommodates 1 to 6 people, so small groups get a quality experience without the crowds of larger commercial operations. Whether you're diving solo, with a partner, or in a small group, the experience is scaled to your needs. The instructor knows the sites well and adjusts the dive plan based on conditions and your group's comfort level.