Red Diving Hood

After months of waiting finally the day came and we were in Key Largo. I have planned 2 days of diving here with hopefully 4 dive trips. I have been looking forward to the dives, hoping to be able to awe my sister with amazing life underwater. My choice of dive shop in Key Largo is Rainbow Reef Dive Center. I know many people find that they run cattle boat, and it was weekend and yes the boats were crowded. But I never feel rushed with them, the customer service is always good. And I love the energy of the crew. You know they love ocean and they love what they are doing.

At the end we went for three dive trips for five dives: Spiegel Grove, Wreck of Benwood, night dive at Xmas tree cave at French Reef, Wreck of Benwood, Wellwood in Molasses Reef. The conditions were below average, reduced visibility and last dives with current and a lot of surge. Actually, the wind picked up so much that the afternoon dives on second day was canceled.

My last dive at Key Largo was 3 years ago, I had done three days of 2 dive trips per day. I remember having great time, loving the diving. This time, maybe the reefs changed or I changed I did not enjoy it as much. I did not even had much photos at the end of the dives. It felt like the color, variety and amount of life had significantly reduced over three years. Maybe/probably it is me and my expectations. After starting taking photos I am enjoying the macro life so much more and I really did not see much of that.

My biggest disappointment in Key Largo was the use of plastics in all establishments in Key Largo. I find it very surprising that in a town, whose economy is solely based on nature, you find such lack of care. In the hotel, the breakfast is served with completely disposable, worst kind of plastics. Even in restaurants, unless you request it, the drinks come in plastic cup with a straw. Even the water comes in a plastic cup with a straw, you don’t get the chance to refuse it. In the boat the water comes in plastic bottles and we are drinking a lot of water. So every trip many plastic bottles are wasted, at least twice the number of the people. I feel like the dive centers should be the driving force on educating the local businesses on issues like this and how human consumption and waste is affecting the nature, and in turn their economy (because that’s what people care for). And we, as customers, should demand eco-friendly establishments. Plastics are convenient, but convenience will kill us.

Anyway, still had good time, left with good memories and some mission. Off to the Blue Heron Bridge, my favorite dive site ever!

Best buddies: Bert and sister Ege