Key Largo vs Hood Canal — Dive Destination Comparison
Key Largo (United States) scores 60.2/100 vs Hood Canal's 59.6/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Key Largo for reef diving with 6–24m visibility. Choose Hood Canal for reef diving at ~$85/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Key Largo | Hood Canal |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 60.2/100 | 59.6/100 |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Visibility | 6--24m | 5--15m |
| Water temp | 22--29 C | 7--13 C |
| Max depth | 30m | 30m |
| Current | moderate | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $95 | $85 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | April, May, June | May, June, July |
| Dive types | reef | reef, wall, shore |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | nurse shark, moray eel, lobster | giant Pacific octopus, wolf eel, six-gill shark |
| Google rating | 0 (0 reviews) | 4.5 (150 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Key Largo when...
- + Divers who prioritize reef diving
- + Anyone visiting North America for the first time
- + Groups seeking 40+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You prefer uncrowded sites and this has 40+ named spots drawing traffic
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Choose Hood Canal when...
- + Divers who prioritize reef diving
- + Anyone visiting North America for the first time
- + Groups seeking 15+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 7°C
- - You need shore access — this is shore-only
Bottom line
Key Largo wins on overall score (60.2 vs 59.6), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Hood Canal is more affordable ($85 vs $95/dive). Key Largo has better peak visibility (24m vs 15m).