Best Dive Shops in Islamorada

Planning a dive trip to the Florida Keys? We all know Key Largo and Key West are GREAT. But what about in between? Islamorada offers more than just sport fishing, after all! Find the best dive shops in Islamorada right here!

Often cited for its great fishing (and rightfully so), Islamorada is often times an after thought for SCUBA diving! Divers typically flock to Key Largo but seldom make their way just a few miles south.

Little did you know, Islamorada is FULL of pristine coral reefs just waiting for YOU to explore them!

We’re here to breakdown each dive shop in the area so you can make the best decision on which dive shop in Islamorada to choose! In fact, we both lived in the area for a time so we know a thing or two about Islamorada diving!

But first, what service are you looking for?

Islamorada is home to dive retail, dive charters, dive schools, and full dive centers. Essentially, all your diving needs are in good hands with plenty of options!

• Dive Retail: gear sales and rental equipment.
• Charters: a quick and simple way to get out on the water. These operations will provide you with a boat and some tanks. What else do you need, anyway?
• Dive Centers offer it all! Retail, dive courses, and charter boats to explore the underwater area!

Dive Retail Shops in Islamorada:

For the greatest assortment of dive gear, be sure to visit:

• Diver’s Direct: a SCUBA retail megastore in Key Largo. Every diver visiting the area should make a stop here.

In the mean time, visit the House of Scuba to find great deals on scuba equipment for your next dive.

Also, the three full dive centers in Islamorada have some retail options too!

Dive Charters in Islamorada:

Islamorada is abundant on dive charters compared to places like Fort Lauderdale, which focus on retail and schooling.

• Tropic Scuba a luxury dive operation. They offer a live-aboard option and a six pack day trip. We’ve never been diving with them but can imagine it’d be a great experience. Additionally, they do offer courses through NAUI.
• Conch Republic Divers as soon as you leave Key Largo, this will be the first dive boat you’ll see entering Tavernier/Islamorada area. A good buddy of mine works here and I can certainly commend his skills as a dive instructor.
• Sea Monkeys Divers an eccentric little boat (it’s hard to miss out on the water). Their six pack charter offers an intimate experience right in the heart of Islamorada.
• SunSports Charters just before the Snake Creek Channel is this dive operation. Hop aboard their 30′ dive boat.
• Captain Slate’s Scuba Adventures is not your typical dive operation. Captain Slate was grandfathered in to do a program called “creature features”.

Full Dive Centers in Islamorada:

Islamorada has three full dive centers offering retail, dive training, and charter boats!

• Florida Keys Dive Center has two charter boats along with their full PADI dive school. This dive center is a staple to the area and is our go-to shop in Islamorada. A former mentor of mine, Captain Bert, was a captain and course director here before tragically passing away in 2019. His legacy, work ethic, and love for the ocean still lives at Florida Keys Dive Center.
• Islamorada Dive Center is a resort style dive operation with a shop and a PADI dive school. Their charter boat can usually be found combing the nearby reefs as they take eager divers to explore the depths. I personally have worked with one of their captains and head spearfishing instructor and can recommend his expertise without question.
• Key Dives is located right in the famous Bud and Mary’s Marina in Islamorada. The small shop has a great Keys vibe with retail gear and an associated PADI school. Their boat, the Giant Stride, can usually be found doing marine debris clean ups.

A little known way to protect our coral reef here during your dive

Sunscreen! Shocking, I know! In fact, many popular sunscreen brands contain extremely harmful chemicals to our coral! Specifically, oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Because of this, we’ve partnered with our favorite brand of reef safe sunscreen, Stream2Sea! We want to get YOU discounts so you can help save our coral reefs with reef safe sunscreen!

A note to dive shops in Islamorada:

If we have left out any dive operations or mischaracterized your services in any way, please contact us below so we can immediately fix the issue! Thank you!

Flying into Fort Lauderdale or Miami?