Dive Review of Rainbow Reef/Ramada Inn in
The Continental USA/Florida Keys

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Rainbow Reef/Ramada Inn, Apr, 2006, by Jeremy Ellis, GA, USA ( Sr. Reviewer 9 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 2948.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Rainbow Reef is a dive operation that is trying to make a name for itself but still needs some work. The dive staff is very friendly and helpful. Some of the divemasters are young and don't always show up promptly for the boat to depart in the morning. The nitrox fills tended to be on the low side (30%to 31%) and we had to bring our own analyzer as there wasn't one on the boat. Once out on the water, the service is solid. The boats are equipped with all the necessary equipment (first aid kit, oxygen, etc.). The staff chooses the sites to minimize currents and maximize visibility so you may tie up to a site or two before jumping into the water. A divemaster is always available to guide a dive, but on our boat most divers were happy to dive their own profiles. The captains know the sites well and provide very good reviews of the sites and suggestions on what to see and where to find it. They went out of their way to get us to the dive sites that we wanted to dive, specifically the wrecks which tend to get very crowded. So, we headed out a little earlier to dive the Spiegel Grove, Eagle and the Duane. They have several dive boats and unfortunately for us their large boat was out for repair when we were there so we were a little crowded on their 2 smaller boats (12 divers per boat that should have helf 8-10), but since it was all our group we were OK with the crowding. The diving remains some of the best. The wrecks are amazing with tremendous fish life including schools of jacks and snapper and a Goliath Grouper on the Eagle. The Ramada Inn is right next to the dock and within walking distance of a few good restaurants. The food in the area is fairly good and not too overpriced. The hotel has a great pool and hot tub that make the surface intervals relaxing.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Aruba, Bahamas, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Caymans, Cozumel, Florida Keys, St. Vincent, Turks & Caicos
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy	Seas	choppy
Water Temp	80-82°F / 27-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	50-75 Ft/ 15-23 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Divers with computers were allowed to dive their own profiles. The captain did recommend maximum bottom time.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	The boat had a separate rinse tank for cameras and the staff was very helpful handing you the camera when you entered the water and collecting it from you at the end of the dive. No dry work area on the boat or at the dock.

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Dive Review of Rainbow Reef/Ramada Inn in The Continental USA/Florida Keys

Rainbow Reef/Ramada Inn, Apr, 2006,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Rainbow Reef/Ramada Inn in
The Continental USA/Florida Keys