It’s a great area to dive, many good operators & mostly easy dives within 20 minutes of shore. Conch republic is good, as is Rainbow Reef. These two have the best boats I’ve been on in the area. It’s a Dive & Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive center are also nice operations but run on large pontoon boats that are not fun if the weather turns rough. I’ve dove with all 4 & would use each again. Rainbow Reef is probably the largest operation in the area based on the number of classes they teach. (Rainbow Reef has lots of instructors that live on tips, so the teachers bend over backwards to make classes work for their students.)
If I was to be back where I was getting a AOW certification all over again, Rainbow Reef would be my first choice, Conch Republic my second choice, Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Center #3, & It’s a Dive #4. Each of these is a good choice for AOW.
Conch Republic is one of the few operators running lobstering trips if lobster season is open while you are there. It’s a fun trip.
Almost the entire area is closed to spear-fishing so don’t bother packing a speargun.