Frequently Asked Questions at Silent World Dive Center
When booking a snorkeling tour in Key Largo, Florida, it’s wise to be prepared and know what to expect. Here are our most popular frequently asked questions (FAQs) with answers tailored to the premier operator in the area, Silent World Dive Center.
Absolutely! The friendly and patient crew at Silent World are experts in teaching beginners the basics of using the gear. They can provide floating devices like “noodles” to help you get comfortable in the water and ensure you have the skills you need to enjoy your experience safely.
Silent World Dive Center operates a new and modern fleet of custom-built vessels. Their flagship for snorkeling is the 50-foot catamaran, the Calypso, renowned for its speed, stability, and spacious decks, which provide a comfortable ride for everyone on board. The SWDC fleet also includes the new 45-foot Custom Catamaran, the Siren, and for scuba divers, the Phoenix, our Seahawk Divemaster.
The reefs that Silent World’s snorkeler-only boat visits are typically quite shallow, ranging from about 5 to 30 feet in depth. This is a significant advantage as it allows for excellent visibility and a clear view of the coral and fish from the surface.
Yes, all of our Snorkel trips visit Reef sites inside the 70-square-mile John Pennekamp Marine Park, including Key Largo Dry Rocks, Grecian Rocks, Banana Reef, Horseshoe Reef, North Dry Rocks, and more.
Silent World is committed to transparent pricing. Unlike some Key Largo Shops, there are never hidden fees. Included in your one price is parking, your spot on the boat, a Mask, Fins, a Snorkel, and snorkel vest rental, Snacks, soda, and filtered ice water on the trip, as well as Reef Safe sunscreen. All sales tax and other charges are clearly stated at the time of booking. If you choose to rent a wetsuit, there is an Additional fee.
Silent World welcomes children as young as 5 years old on their snorkeling trips, as long as they are comfortable in the water and can swim. It’s always best to check with the staff if you have any specific concerns about your child’s swimming ability.
Absolutely not. Silent World is a certified Blue Star Operator, which signifies a deep commitment to marine conservation. Their crew will give a briefing on proper reef etiquette and the importance of not touching, standing on, or taking anything from the coral reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
This is one of the key differentiators for Silent World Dive Center. They have separate boats for each activity to ensure a better experience for all guests. Their custom-built catamaran, the Calypso, is specifically designed for snorkelers and carries only snorkelers on each of its 3 daily Snorkel trips to John Pennekamp Park, allowing it to go to shallow reefs that are perfect for surface viewing.
Yes, Silent World allows you to bring a small cooler with your own food and drinks. However, they always have a strict “no glass or Styrofoam” policy for safety and environmental reasons. If you plan to drink alcohol, it must be consumed after you are done with all water activities.
Safety is the top priority for Silent World. If a trip must be canceled due to unsafe weather, high winds, rough seas, or poor visibility, you will be notified promptly and will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule.
Reservations are highly recommended to guarantee your spot on a trip, especially during busy seasons, holidays, and weekends. Silent World’s professional staff can help you book your trip over the phone or through their easy-to-use website to secure your spot.
Here at Silent World Dive Center we have ample free space in front of our shop and along Garden Cove Dr.
You should bring a bathing or swimsuit, a towel, sunglasses, and a hat. Silent World’s on-site gift shops offer everything you may need, including Hats, t shirts, Rashguards, towels, medicine, and even Has GoPro Action cameras for rent.
On a snorkeling trip with Silent World, you can expect to see hundreds of species of tropical fish, as well as sea turtles, stingrays, and maybe even some larger species . The crew is well-versed in the local ecosystem and can help you identify different species, making your trip both fun and educational.
Seeing the iconic Christ of the Abyss statue is a popular request, and Silent World Dive Center is the premier operator for a trip to this site. The captain will take the boat to the statue’s location for one of the two sites IF weather and water conditions allow for a safe and enjoyable experience. If conditions are unfavorable, they will choose another location with great marine life and coral.
Silent World’s experienced USCG “Master” captains will take you to two different reef locations during your trip. They will select the best spots for the day, based on weather, water conditions, and visibility, to ensure you have the best experience possible.
The Snorkel Only tours with Silent World are typically around 3 hours, including 2 sites for 45 minutes each, which provides ample time to get out to the reef, have an extended period in the water to enjoy the sites, and return to the dock with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the rest of your day. Tours on the Scuba dive boat are 4 hours, including two sites for 1 hour at each location
Seasickness is a possibility, especially if you are prone to motion sickness. The crew at Silent World highly recommends taking over-the-counter medication like Dramamine or Bonine the night before and again an hour before your trip. The company’s large catamarans are known for their exceptional stability, which helps minimize the effects of motion.
Yes, Silent World Dive Center includes all the necessary gear in the price of your trip, including a high-quality, sanitized mask, snorkel, fins, and a snorkel vest. Wetsuits are also available for rent for an additional fee.
Yes, snorkeling requires you to be comfortable and able to swim in the open ocean in water deeper then you can stand. While Silent World provides a Snorkel vest and pool noodles for buoyancy, the ability to swim is a fundamental safety requirement. Silent World’s professional crew is excellent at assisting all levels of swimmers, but comfort in the water is a must.
A snorkeling mask creates a watertight seal against the face using a soft rubber or silicone skirt, allowing the wearer to see clearly underwater. The tempered glass lenses provide durability and clarity, while the nose pocket facilitates pressure equalization. Secured by an adjustable strap, the mask ensures a comfortable fit, enabling an enjoyable and leak-free snorkeling experience.
Snorkeling itself typically does not cause vertigo. Vertigo is often associated with inner ear issues or disturbances in the vestibular system, and snorkeling is not known to directly trigger these conditions.
Snorkeling when it’s cloudy is completely possible and can still be an enjoyable experience. While sunny weather enhances visibility, cloudy conditions do not necessarily prevent snorkeling.
Snorkeling during pregnancy is generally considered safe for women with uncomplicated pregnancies. However, at Silent World Dive Center, we recommend consulting with a healthcare professional before engaging in any water-based activities while pregnant. Factors such as individual health, the stage of pregnancy, and water conditions should be taken into account to ensure the well-being of both the expectant mother and the baby.
Snorkeling itself does not typically cause illness, but factors like motion sickness and waterborne contaminants can affect some individuals. Silent World Dive Center prioritizes guest safety by providing guidance on preventing motion sickness, choosing snorkel sites with good water quality, and emphasizing hygiene practices. By following these measures, guests can enjoy a safe and enjoyable snorkeling experience with minimized health concerns.
Snorkeling, like any water-based activity, carries inherent risks. However, with proper precautions and adherence to safety guidelines, the risks can be significantly minimized. At Silent World Dive Center, your safety is our top priority, and we take several measures to ensure a secure and enjoyable snorkeling experience for all our guests.
The customary gratuity for a snorkel tour typically ranges around $10 per person or 15-20% of the total cost of the snorkeling excursion. Snorkel tour guides merit a gratuity when they elevate the tour into an exciting and enjoyable experience. You can guage how much to tip your snorkel tour guide by whether they go the extra mile and create an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality – but also ensure that their guests have a safe and pleasurable journey. Tipping is entirely optional, and individuals have the freedom to refrain from tipping, particularly if they are dissatisfied with the service provided.
Safety is our top priority. If weather conditions are deemed unsuitable or unsafe for diving, the scuba recertification course may be rescheduled to a later date or an alternate dive site may be chosen. We always ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of our divers’ safety and overall experience.
While most scuba-related equipment is provided, you should bring your swimwear, a towel, any personal diving gear if you have it, and a form of identification. Don’t forget your certification card from your initial dive course, and be sure to review the PADI Medical Form before arrival.
The PADI Reactivate program is a more comprehensive review that includes both theoretical and practical components. On completion, divers receive a replacement certification card with a reactivated date. The PADI Refresher Course, on the other hand, is a shorter program primarily focused on revisiting essential diving skills.
The refresher course isn’t a certification program, but rather a skill refresh. Thus, it doesn’t have an expiration. However, if you have long gaps between dives, it’s recommended to take a refresher course every 12-24 months for safety and confidence.
The PADI Refresher Course is designed for certified divers who may have taken a hiatus from diving and feel the need to refresh their skills. If you’re planning a dive trip after a long gap, or if you feel uncertain about any of the essential dive skills, this course is ideal for you.