Captain Hook’s Dive Shop
This long-established scuba center with locations in Marathon, Key West and Big Pine Key, which takes guests to dive nearly 60 miles of Atlantic Ocean along the world’s third-largest living barrier reef, won first place as Best Overall scuba operator in the United States and Canada region. Scuba Diving magazine readers also awarded Captain Hook’s three additional first- place wins, for Quality of Dive Boats, Quality of Staff and Quality of Facilities.
One of their top offerings is the Heavy Metal Tour of four major wrecks, including the Keys’ premier site, the 522- foot USNS Vandenberg, as well as the 187-foot Cayman Salvager buoy tender in Key West, the 210-foot purpose-sunk Adolphus Busch Sr. cargo freighter in Big Pine Key, and the 188-foot Thunderbolt cable-layer in Marathon. Each draws in abundant pelagic life, from eagle rays to tarpon, green sea turtles and green morays.
Captain Hook’s is also known for its coral program, through which divers work alongside prominent scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory and Reef Renewal USA in their efforts to protect the Keys’ coral reefs.
The program starts with an educational workshop on coral and coral growth science, then includes hands-on training in conservation techniques that divers will practice underwater that same day. At the coral nursery, they get the opportunity to help out-plant corals to further grow the reefs and practice all their skills from the workshop.
Guests share that this is a truly rewarding experience— and it’s one more reason to return again and again, to not only track the progress of the reefs that they have now become a part of, but to also explore further afield, getting to know more of this vibrant, thriving reef system that is the Florida Keys.
2023 Readers Choice Awards®
Captain Hook’s earned a total of five Readers Choice awards, ranking for Attention to Safety as well as first place in Quality of Dive Boats, Quality of Staff and Best Overall.
CONTACT INFO
Marathon: 305-743-2444
Big Pine Key: 305-872-9863
Key West: 305-296-3823
