Private SCUBA Diving Key Largo: 2-Tank Reef Sites

Your group dives alone on a purpose-built boat instead of packed in with forty others.

Private SCUBA diving at John Pennekamp Coral Reef in Key Largo for up to eight certified divers, with two separate reef sites and roughly one hour of bottom time per tank. The boat holds only your group, so you see more wildlife than larger commercial charters. Trips depart at 8am or 1pm daily. Tanks, weights and gear are included if you need them. You must present a valid certification card and dive logbook at the dock, and have logged a dive within the last six months.

The experience

The boat leaves the dock at either 8am or 1pm, and it carries only your group: no strangers, no crowding, no waiting for a guide to brief forty divers at once. You pick which reef sites to visit or ask the crew for a recommendation based on conditions that day. The dive itself is unguided, so you navigate the reef on your own terms with your own dive buddy or buddies from your group.

You get two separate dives, each with roughly one hour of bottom time. Tanks, weights and any rental gear you need are included in the price. The reefs themselves are the draw: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park sits in shallow, clear water where smaller groups see more fish, more coral structure and more of the reef's character than divers packed onto larger boats.

Private transport to and from the dock is included. Before boarding, you'll present your certification card and dive logbook at the dock to confirm you're current. You must have made a dive within the last six months. If you need to rent any gear beyond tanks and weights, confirm that when you book.

What’s included

• Private boat charter for your group only.
• two separate reef dives with roughly one hour underwater per tank.
• tanks, weights and rental gear if needed.
• private transportation to and from the dock.
• English-speaking crew.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Island Ventures

Is this one for you?The unguided format and private boat suit divers who are comfortable navigating reefs independently and want to set their own pace without a guide's narration. If you prefer a guided dive with instruction or prefer not to navigate on your own, a larger commercial charter with a guide may be a better fit.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the two reef sites like at John Pennekamp?

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park protects shallow coral formations, wreck sites and abundant reef fish in water typically 40 to 60 feet deep. The exact sites depend on conditions and your group's preference. The crew can recommend based on what's running well that day and what you want to see.

Do I need a dive guide with me underwater?

These are unguided dives, so you navigate the reef with your own buddy or group. You're responsible for your own dive plan, navigation and safety. This format works best for divers comfortable managing their own underwater experience.

What happens if I need to rent gear?

Tanks, weights and basic rental gear are included. If you need a wetsuit, BCD, regulator or other equipment beyond what's provided, confirm availability and pricing when you book, as rental inventory can vary.

How long is the whole trip from start to finish?

The full outing runs roughly three and a half hours from dock to dock, including the boat ride out, two dives with surface interval between them, and the return. Each dive gives you around one hour underwater.

Can I choose the morning or afternoon departure?

Trips leave at 8am and 1pm daily, so you can pick whichever fits your schedule. Both departures follow the same two-tank format and visit the same reef system.

What if I'm not sure I'm current enough to dive?

You must present a valid certification card from a recognized agency and a dive logbook showing a dive within the last six months. If you haven't dived recently, you may want to do a refresher dive or checkout dive before booking this charter.