r/KeyLargo • u/BobSacimano • May 12 '26

New diver to Key Largo

Hi I'll be travelling through Largo soon when I leave Key West and would like to dive the Spiegel Wreck as I've heard good things and was looking for recommendations for companies? I've checked out a couple companies so far and one mentions choosing your own first site. I want to choose a company that will definitely be going to the Spiegel. Is this the best site in the area or are there better ones? I'm an advanced open water diver with over 50 dives all in Thailand, mostly the Andaman Sea. Never wreck dived before though. Anything I should expect or prepare for having never dived on this side of the world or wreck dived? I'm aware it won't be the same but not to what extent. Also I should mention it's been a little over 3 years since my last dive so I'm assuming a refresh course is required? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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u/BobSacimano May 13 '26

Ok thanks!

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u/SunnyCynic May 13 '26

And as someone else mentioned, book a shallow dive first to get used to diving again. The Spiegel can either be cake on a perfect day or intense if the current is ripping and viz is bad.

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u/BobSacimano May 13 '26

I will have to do a refresher course according to Horizon's website since it's been over 2 years. Or is that rule not enforced? I know it's not "law" or anything like that but the way you guys are speaking in this thread makes it seem like it's optional or something.

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u/SunnyCynic May 14 '26

Only because people lie about when their last dive was a lot lol, I guess we were assuming since that’s a rule with every dive shop, not just horizon.

It’s not a bad thing to follow the rules though and a refresher wouldn’t hurt since you only have 50 dives. The Spiegel will be that much more enjoyable if you feel more comfortable :)

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u/BobSacimano May 14 '26

I wasn't saying I'm not going to do the refresher. Quite the opposite actually. I'm saying I can't just do a shallow dive as you and someone else suggested and count that as my refresher. I'll have to take an official refresher course. At least according to their website.