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Dive Review of Tavernier Divers/Coconut Palm Inn in
The Continental USA/Florida Keys

Tavernier Divers/Coconut Palm Inn, Oct, 2002,

by Julian Watkins/Debbie DiMascio, CA, USA . Report 242.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Tavernier Divers runs a nice outfit. Their 42 ft. diesel boat took just 4 of us out to the Eagle Wreck and Crocker Reef. Staff was knowledgeable and let us dive our own profiles, just return with 500 psi. Nitrox is available. Oranges and pineapple slices were provided and water to drink. The Eagle wreck (a 285 ft. freighter intentionally sunk in 1985) is a very nice wreck to dive. It rests on it’s side in 110 ft. of water, but is easily viewed from 80-90 ft. Wreck is broken in two mid-ship, but is in good condition otherwise. Possible to swim in to the cargo hold, but no other penetration. Look for the 250 lb. resident Jew Fish hanging around at the bottom. Current was moderate-strong the day we dove it and visibility was fair. A recommended wreck to see.

Crocker Reef is a “patch” reef with a sloping drop-off on one side. This allows for a little deeper dive than most of the very shallow reef dives in the area. Good corals and lots of big barrel sponges. Fish life OK, not prolific.

We stayed at the Coconut Palm Inn in Tavernier (formerly known as Frank’s Key Haven). A very nice resort right on the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. The resort was mostly deserted at the time we were there (mid-week, early Oct.’02) and the manager gave us their best suite with a full kitchen (the Coconut Palm suite) at no extra charge. Nice pool, hammocks, BBQ’s, boat docks (bring your own boat), and kayaks available at no additional charge. Some remodeling and construction was in progress at the resort when we were there. Minimal, continental breakfast served in their office. Excellent location, nearby good dive outfits like Tavernier Divers and Conch Republic.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Hawaii, Fiji, California Channel Islands, Florida Keys, Sea of Cortez (Mexico)
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas choppy
Water Temp 82-82°F / 28-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 40-60 Ft/ 12-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions back on boat with 500 psi
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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