WHO WE ARE

HMS Minnow Dive Charters offers crowd free, customized scuba diving and snorkeling trips to the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary (more commonly known as John Pennekamp Park). Our dive boat, the HMS Minnow, carries a maximum of six people. We provide a comparably priced alternative to the many large dive boats in the Key Largo area carrying as many as 50 divers. The Minnow normally departs at 8 AM and 1 PM daily. Your in-the-water time is approximately two hours. The trip takes about 3-1/2 hours from departure to return. However, our schedule and itinerary are flexible to meet the needs of your group. We also offer night dives (1 tank, 1 location). We conduct full SCUBA diving certification courses, refresher training courses and resort diving courses.

The scuba charter HMS Minnow {not to be confused with Gilligan's boat, the "SS Minnow"} is 25'4" in length with a beam of 9.5 feet. It features a large, covered cockpit area in the back and an enclosed cabin forward. The Minnow is specially outfitted for diving and snorkeling, and is equipped with, GPS, VHF radio, cellular telephone, depth sounder, and fresh water shower, in addition to all safety equipment required by U.S. Coast Guard Regulations.

The Minnow is powered by an environmentally friendly 225 HP Mercury Optimax engine . This means no noxious exhaust fumes. The trip to the reef takes about 30 minutes.
 

HOW TO GET HERE

We are located at the Holiday Inn Docks on the ocean side, U.S. Highway 1 at Mile Marker 100 in Key Largo, Florida. Our office is the HMS Minnow! We do not have a dive shop. To find us, park in the rear parking lot of the Holiday Inn. Take the sidewalk from there to the canal. When you reach the canal, the HMS Minnow slip is immediately on your right. Please be at the dock 30 minutes prior to departure.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AREA

The main reef within John Pennekamp Park offers a variety of shallow diving and snorkeling areas in the 15-35 foot depth range, including Molasses Reef, French Reef, Elbow Reef, the Christ of the Abyss Statue, and other small reef areas. These areas feature spectacular spur and groove coral formations, as well as an immense tropical fish population. Moray Eels, large rays, and sea turtles are frequently encountered while diving and snorkeling. The Benwood Wreck, a 360 foot casualty of World War II, lies in 25-45 foot of water along the main reefline. Just outside the main reef areas are intermediate reefs that start at 45 feet and slope down gradually to 90 feet. The intermediate reefs feature huge barrel sponges and the opportunity to see larger marine animals not normally found in the shallower areas. Also adjacent to Pennekamp Park are two of the best wreck dives in the world. The Coast Guard Cutters "Duane" and "Bibb" lie in 125 feet of water and offer a spectacular diving experience for advanced divers.

OUR RATES

$80 2-tank, 2-location scuba trip includes tanks and weights
($75 for 4 or more trips)

$50 Snorkeler or passenger

BCD, regulator, wet suits, masks, snorkel/fens are rented at reasonable rates

Sales tax is not included in the above price quotes

DIVING AND SNORKELING WAIVER

Speed your trip up and reduce your dock time by downloading and completing our diving and snorkeling waiver prior to boarding.