Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/16/2024 - 06/23/2024
All Day
Categories No Categories
Trip Details:
KEY LARGO/ISLAMORADA FLORIDA
6/16/24 – Sunday– Arrival at Bayside Inn, Key Largo
Evening Meet & Greet – Time and Place TBD
6/17/24 – Monday
Morning Check out Dive with Key Dives/I.CARE in Islamorada, (2) tank boat dive to get our “feet wet.”
*optional afternoon dives with Key Dives/I.CARE, if you join us on this trip let us know if you are interested in diving in the afternoon and we can reserve you a spot on the boat. Key Dives location is approximately 30 minutes by car from the Bayside Inn.
6/18/24 – Tuesday
For those who have NOT gotten certified with the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) – the morning will be classroom education and the afternoon we will be diving with the CRF team. The class typically starts at 9am and then we break for lunch and meet back for the afternoon dive to demonstrate coral restoration skills. Those already certified will participate in the afternoon diving with CRF. The boat charter for CRF will be with Island Ventures. They are conveniently located right near the CRF Classroom.
*optional for those already certified.* Morning dives with Key Dives/I.CARE, if you join us on this trip let us know if you are interested in diving in the morning and we can reserve you a spot on the Key Dives dive boat. Key Dives location is approximately 30 minutes by car from the Bayside Inn.
6/19/24 – Wednesday
For those getting certified through CRF, this will be day 2 with classroom in the morning and coral restoration diving with CRF in the afternoon. Those already certified will participate in the afternoon diving with CRF. The boat charter for CRF will be with Island Ventures.
*optional for those already certified.* Morning dives with Key Dives/I.CARE, if you join us on this trip let us know if you are interested in diving in the morning and we can reserve you a spot on the boat. Key Dives location is approximately 30 minutes by car from the Bayside Inn.
06/20/24 – Thursday
We will spend the day with the Key Dives/I.CARE team at their facility in Islamorada, FL. I.CARE is the charitable “arm” for Key Dives. Mike Goldberg of Key Dives has worked with Dr. Kylie Smith to set up a 501c3 that teaches recreational divers coral restoration work. Those divers who have not been through their program will learn from their team in the morning classroom style and participate in a 2-tank reef maintenance and outplanting dive that afternoon.
*optional for those who have already completed the classroom portion of the I.CARE program.* Morning dives with Key Dives/I.CARE, if you join us on this trip let us know if you are interested in diving in the morning and we can reserve you a spot on the boat. Key Dives location is approximately 30 minutes by car from the Bayside Inn.
06/21/24 – Friday
On Friday afternoon, we will participate in a 2-tank dive, dive 1 cleaning coral trees in Mote’s offshore nursery, and dive 2 performing maintenance on I.CARE outplanted corals.
6/21/24 – Friday Evening
We will have the amazing experience of a night dive with Key Dives/I.CARE! We will be using plastic water bottles and UV lights to capture fire worms at Allligator Reef. Expect encounters with octopus, scrawled file fish, nurse sharks. The Florida Keys are magical at night!
06/22/24 – Saturday – Morning 2 tank dive with Key Dives/I.CARE and then explore and enjoy the last afternoon in the keys.
06/23/24 – Sunday -Departure Day
Costs:
Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF):
There is a $50 donation for divers who have already taken the CRF certification class. For divers that will be taking the certification class the donation is $150. CRF will train ADFC divers directly. Divers that have a certification from another organization must take the CRF class to work with them. The methodology in Florida is a bit different than in other places and this course will bring you up to speed with their process. This donation fee can be paid when on-site.
Island Venture scuba diving boat charter:
Charter boat for 6/18-6/19 for coral restoration with CRF. This includes tanks and weights. The total boat charter is $1,307.60 for 2 days, for 10 divers. That is $65.38 a day for each diver and includes sales tax. Island Venture is conveniently located near the CRF education center. Charter Fees are due by June 1, 2024
I.CARE: Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education
Day 1 (Thursday) Diving and Education – $75 for a 2-Tank trip, $25 donation to I.CARE
Day 2 (Friday) $75 for a 2-Tank Trip
Gear Rental: $34 if needed. Tanks and Weights are included in the $75 fee for dive trips.
Optional morning and afternoon (2) tank dive trips with Key Dives will be $75 per dive.
Payments made on site.
Bayside Inn is centrally located, with many restaurants and bars within walking distance. They offer a heated outdoor pool and private beach, complimentary parking, and Wi-Fi. The Inn has an onsite restaurant, Snook’s Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar The restaurant offers guests of the Inn 10% off. There are other restaurants within walking distance.
Trip participants must book their stay at the Inn, call and let Bayside know they are part of the ADFC group to get the discounted rate and to have them waive the resort fees of $25. All guest rooms are subject to 12.5% State and local Sales/Occupancy Tax. Call 305-451-4450 for reservations.
Discounted Rates: $158 per night with choice while available of King Size Bed or 2 double beds. This is the room rate. If 2 people in a room that is $79 each per night. ADFC has a limited number of rooms available, so please book early to reserve your room at this rate. Reservation Deadline: May 15, 2024.
Please Note: This does not include Airfare, ground transportation, or meals. Don’t delay, this trip has a limit of 15 participants!
Once you have reserved your room at Bayside Inn, please complete this form and we will be in touch on the next steps.
Please note:
Advanced Open Water Certification is recommended for this trip.
Dive Accident insurance is required to participate in this trip.
