What are the prerequisites?

You must hold an Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent) to enroll in the Scuba Skills Update; non-certified students can use portions of the course to prepare for open water training.

What is the minimum age?

Minimum age is 10 years old; younger children cannot participate in this update course.

How long is the course and what is the schedule?

This is a one-day program: morning academic and pool review followed by two afternoon reef dives at Looe Key.

Are rentals and tanks included?

Rental equipment and tanks are typically available through the operator but you should reserve items ahead of time or confirm at booking.

How large are the classes?

Classes are kept small to maximize instructor attention; contact instruction@looekeyreefresort.com or call (305) 872-2215 for group bookings above four people.

What if I haven’t dived in a long time?

The course is specifically designed to rebuild confidence—your instructor will tailor the review to the skills you need most, with extra time in the pool if necessary.

Scuba Skills Update at Looe Key: Reef Refresher Near Ramrod Key | Scuba | Guided Tour

Set just offshore from Ramrod Key, Florida, the Scuba Skills Update at Looe Key puts you back in control of your regulator, buoyancy and comfort on the reef. This one-day refresher blends a short academic review, a guided pool session and two open-water dives on Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary’s coral structures, so certified divers walk away feeling steady and curious again. The course is intended for Open Water Diver certification holders or equivalent, and it also serves non-certified students who want extra pool practice before open water training. Under the supervision of an SSI Professional, you will re-run essential skills—mask clearing, regulator recovery, controlled ascents and buoyancy hover—and then apply them amid spur-and-groove formations, coral patches and seagrass flats. Expect to encounter hard corals such as elkhorn and brain coral, vibrant gorgonians, sponges and schools of parrotfish, as well as occasional nurse sharks and green or hawksbill turtles. Morning classroom review and pool work give way to two afternoon reef dives, maximizing practice time while keeping surface intervals and safety stops comfortable. Small class sizes are typical and the program runs daily; for groups larger than four or special requests contact [email protected] or call (305) 872-2215 to speak with an instructor. Bring your certification card, any personal gear you prefer, a towel and reef-safe sunscreen; rental equipment and tanks are usually available through the operator. What makes this course special in the Florida Keys is the proximity of Looe Key’s shallow reef slopes, which shorten boat runs and lengthen bottom time for focused skill drills. Instructors emphasize practical training over busy checklists, tailoring sessions to address issues like weighting, air management and navigation so divers leave with usable confidence. The conservation ethos of the site is reinforced throughout; divers are taught good fin technique and the no‑touch rule to protect delicate elkhorn colonies and sponges. Ramrod Key’s short transit to the sanctuary means more time watching angelfish sweep through coral fingers and less time worried about surface conditions. Whether you plan a longer dive holiday or simply want a confident day on a reef, this Scuba Skills Update restores competence with patient instruction and two guided reef dives that put practice into context. If you have questions about prerequisites, age limits of 10 years or other requirements, reach out to the team by email or phone before arrival. After a day on Looe Key, many divers find they pay more attention to trim and air and return to vacation diving with relaxed focus and better buoyancy control. Book early for seasonal slots and mention the Scuba Skills Update course when reserving to ensure equipment availability and a tailored instructor plan for your skill refresh.