Go Scuba Diving: Key West Dive Charters, Sites & Lessons

From the moment you arrive in Key West, you’ll be surrounded by unbelievable beauty. The palm trees reach for the sky, the birds and flowers paint the landscape with their colors, and the turquoise ocean waters stretch on forever. It’s paradise. But the sights extend beyond our island shores. To witness the scenery under the sea, go scuba diving. Key West is the best place in North America for underwater exploration because of our warm temperatures and spectacular fish. There are countless dive charters near the 1800 Atlantic vacation rentals, but we’ve narrowed them down into this list of five. Keep reading to learn how to try scuba diving, Key West style.

Scuba Diving Lessons and Dive Charters on Key West

• Captain’s Corner has the only on-site training pool in Key West, so it’s a good choice for those who want some low-pressure practice before heading to the ocean. Scuba diving lessons will prepare you and help you feel comfortable in the water. 
• Dive Key West is the longest-running company offering scuba diving in Key West, with over 40 years of experience. When you book with them, you also receive complimentary access to the Key West Harbour Yacht Club.
• Lost Reef Adventures offers one-day scuba diving lessons for those who want to try scuba diving in Key West but aren’t prepared to commit. It’s a great way for you to decide whether you’re interested in visiting one of the Key West dive sites.
• Southpoint Divers is known for its double dives. Their morning and afternoon dive charters stop at two different Key West dive sites. Mornings are for wrecks, while afternoons are for reefs.
• Finz Dive Center has one of the few permits to dive in Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles off the Key West coast. They also offer spearfishing in Key West’s fishable waters.

Different Key West Dive Sites and Excursions

• There are roughly 1,000 shipwrecks off the Florida Keys, and some of them make the best Key West dive sites. Most of the dive charters will take you to the world-famous Vandenberg Wreck.
• The Florida Keys feature North America’s only living coral reef, which is one of the largest in the world! The reefs are protected as a National Marine Sanctuary, but they’re open for scuba diving in Key West.
• The reefs become more active at night, so many dive charters will take you on night dives. You’ll use a special dive light to watch the nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat. After completing the dive, embrace your nocturnal side and visit one of the local rum distilleries. Then, return to your natural habitat for a full night of rest.
• Dry Tortugas National Park is a clear, secluded section of the Florida Keys reefs, featuring the incredible Fort Jefferson. Not many charters have permits to dive there.

Key West: The Best Scuba Diving in the Florida Keys

Of course, all of the islands are worth visiting. But Key West has the best scuba diving in the Florida Keys, and 1800 Atlantic has the best accommodations in Key West. You can stay in a private, luxurious vacation rental with all the comforts of home. Contact us today to book your vacation under the sea!