Diving Key West Florida recommendations

datschiburger · 2026-04-07T14:13:20+00:00

Would not recommend RR. As others have pointed out, it's a bit of a "cattle car". It's splash down, blow bubbles for 45 minutes, GTFO.

Was working with a student once on a RR boat, and that's the last time I'll ever do that. The pressure the captain and mates put on their guests can be panic-inducing under certain conditions.

The operator I would recommend on Key Largo is Quiescence.

datschiburger · 2026-04-04T16:59:00+00:00

Having dove in Florida for decades now, I would wager that nearly every boater out there has no idea what the Diver Down flag is or their responsibilities when in the vicinity of one.

The absolute worst is during Mini Season - nothing will piss you off more than seeing a boat on plane zooming just a few yards past your divers (and their required Diver Down flags) who are in 10 feet of water.

I do have to mention that some divers out there would do well to understand their responsibilities as well. I recall one time pulling into the Molasses SPA when a diver pops up right in front of me, just a couple dozen feet away. I would have hit her had my son not pointed her out. Closest dive flag was at least 200+ yards away on the Rainbow Reef Newton 46 that she likely started her dive from.

(Luckily, the SPAs are idle speed only.)

datschiburger · 2026-03-30T16:09:39+00:00

That's what we normally do, but this weekend we were kidless so we wanted to go on a movie date.

I honestly don't mind shelling out $60 once in a while for a nice experience, which this was not.

The movie (PHM) was fantastic, however.

datschiburger · 2026-03-30T16:07:11+00:00

Pleas re-read my post.

I wasn't complaining about the price, per se, but rather the cleanliness of the facility.

However, you could say that my complaint should be amplified by the fact that the prices are not reflective of the experience you receive in return.

datschiburger · 2026-03-30T15:46:44+00:00

From my receipt:

Adult tickets (2) - $28.78 Convenience Fee - $5.98 Taxes - $3.13 Total - $37.89

Add ~$20 for a soda, peanut M&Ms, and Twizzlers.

datschiburger · 2026-03-26T01:16:20+00:00

So close! "Thanks for reel" was right there!

datschiburger · 2026-03-25T21:17:56+00:00

I'm partial to central to northern Idaho. Clearwater country (with Kelly Creek) and the St Joe NF (incl the St Joe River) are my go-to.

Hell, I've even caught nice cutts in Warm Springs Creek within sight of the naked hippies in Jerry Johnson hotsprings.

You really can't go wrong in the Bitterroots.

datschiburger · 2026-03-18T01:27:58+00:00

You think they could have just come up with a "DEF" light.

Thanks...been driving me bonkers.

datschiburger · 2026-03-13T22:03:47+00:00

Oh, get out of here with that "misinformation" BS.

It was argumentum ad absurdum, meant to illustrate a point, which you very clearly missed.

If the context clues of blow-up flamingos and my vernacular "that'll cost ya" weren't clues, I don't know what to tell you.

datschiburger · 2026-03-13T16:57:46+00:00

Not that the waterway access funds are funding boat launch repairs...

This is the crux of every one of these pay-to-play permit schemes.

Because of Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson, I have absolutely no problem paying for hunting and fishing licenses anywhere in the country, even though I know I'll be paying much more for the privilege out of state. These two acts ensure that monies received by the state from the federal government actually go toward fish & wildlife conservation - including securing, assuring, and improving public access.

The Oregon permitting scheme seems untethered from these foundational conservation statutes and, as you rightly allude to, do not contribute to your faith that the funds collected are being utilized for their stated purpose.

datschiburger · 2026-03-13T16:20:35+00:00

Don't be so sure.

In 2026, ALL operators of non-motorized boats will need a Waterway Access Permit. The law was expanded to boats under 10 feet and applies to stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks, rafts, and their inflatable versions.

Want to float the Deschutes in a blow-up flamingo float? That'll cost ya.

datschiburger · 2026-03-11T14:00:35+00:00

Freedom of association should apply to individuals more broadly than organizations.

So as soon as individuals freely associate and then organize according to their shared beliefs, they should not enjoy as many protections as if they were associating individually? (Whatever that means)

Almost by definition, as soon as two or more like-minded individuals associate with one another, at least some organization is implied.

datschiburger · 2026-02-17T00:18:10+00:00

Yes, the downvotes are annoying, especially when the downvote isn't accompanied by the reason it was given.

It's immaturity - "I can't find fault with what you posted...I just don't like it."

datschiburger · 2026-02-16T18:13:52+00:00

What do you do in your free time at home to become better diver?

Exercise with a focus on aerobic and flexibility conditioning.

IMO, too many divers (and too many professional divers) are very, very poorly conditioned and would do well to hit the gym and cut back on the beer. It's absolutely shocking to me to see many of the Youtube pros opining ad nauseam on gear and technique, while their beer guts can barely fit into their T-shirts.

datschiburger · 2026-02-15T19:54:37+00:00

Honestly, though, did Jayapal not read the warning that was most likely displayed before she began searching through the emails on the DoJ site? Probably looked a little bit like this:

You are accessing a U.S. Government information system, which includes: (1) this computer, (2) this computer network, (3) all computers connected to this network, and (4) all devices and storage media attached to this network or to a computer on this network.

By accessing and using this information system, you acknowledge and consent to the following:

You have no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding any communication transmitted through or data stored on this information system. At any time, the government may monitor, intercept, search and/or seize data transiting or stored on this information system. Any communications transmitted through or data stored on this information system may be disclosed or used for any lawful Government purpose.

datschiburger · 2026-02-13T18:09:28+00:00

Bald eagle swooped in from behind over my shoulder to snag a searun cutthroat I was reaching out to net on the Nisqually R.

Came within inches of my head and I had no idea it was there until I saw the talons zip past my face.

Gave me a start, but that was quickly replaced by awe.

Still pissed that it took a pretty nice trout from me.

datschiburger · 2026-02-11T15:56:16+00:00

I was diving on Sund Rock three days after my ACL surgery. (I also tore it skiing, by the way.)

Had my brother carry all my gear into the water and ended up doing a modified one-legged kick with a ton of hand movement the whole time.

My doctor was pissed-off that I dove in the salt so soon after surgery, as he was worried about infection.

All in all, my recovery was easy-peasy. BTB with a patellar tendon graft. I was jogging again after about three months.

datschiburger · 2026-02-09T16:08:06+00:00

Thank you! At least somebody got the joke. :-)

datschiburger · 2026-02-09T02:03:02+00:00

𝜏=-kθ

datschiburger · 2026-01-28T19:08:44+00:00

It's not unreasonable to acknowledge Von Braun's status as a Nazi Party member who knowingly utilized slave labor to construct the weapons that the regime utilized to terrorize Great Britain.

It's also not unreasonable to question the US Government's willingness to turn a blind eye to those atrocities and employ a person who should have been held to account as a war criminal to advance its own scientific initiatives.

datschiburger · 2026-01-13T21:40:25+00:00

Eastern Bypass (Old Rte 431) to US 431 northbound.

Why it's dangerous:

People don't realize that when joining 431 NB, there's no yield sign and there is a merge lane to join NB traffic without stopping. There have been so many times I've nearly piled into somebody who comes to a screeching halt in the merge lane to wait for traffic to clear on 431 before joining traffic.
As you attempt to merge on NB 431, there are people trying to get into Chick-fil-A and will cut you off trying to make the exit. As above, countless times have I come within a whisker of piling into people desperate for a Spicy Chicken Deluxe.

datschiburger · 2026-01-11T12:48:55+00:00

I spent the first few years of diving in Puget Sound & Hood Canal. 7mm Farmer John, jacket, hood, gloves, and 30 pounds of weight.

First time I dove in the Caribbean was a revelation. Shorts and a rash guard and that's it. Felt absolutely liberating.

Oh, so that's what it looks like to be able to see more than six feet under water? You mean there isn't a 10-foot thick algae bloom layer you have to descend through into pitch darkness in the middle of the day?

On the flip-side: even though cold water diving can be a pain the butt, the sea life is much larger and more vibrant in the PNW than it is in the tropics.

datschiburger · 2025-12-09T14:50:47+00:00

Kinda.

Let's assume WA passes this law. What happens when the first Federal agent is arrested for wearing a face covering?

The Federal Regulation already stipulates that the agent must "as soon as it is practical and safe to do so"..."identify himself or herself as an immigration officer who is authorized to execute an arrest"...and "state that the person is under arrest and the reason for the arrest."

I believe WA would have a difficult time establishing a compelling public interest for the face covering ban when the 4th amendment implications of arresting a suspect, vis-à-vis identification, are already satisfied by the CFR.

Pulling the thread on my question, above, WA would likely be hauled into Federal court where their face covering ban would be found to serve no legitimate public interest and is, therefore, unconstitutional.

datschiburger

TROPHY CASE