Island Ventures

The newest bridge to the Keys is finally open!!! Yes, for those of you who have suffered through the road construction, it is getting better - the view from the top of the bridge is great! Have you already done the big boat dive charter where you struggle with your dive gear and try to work your way off the boat with 25 other divers? Did you have a good time? Now it's time to have a change of pace. Island Ventures in Key Largo, Florida is into "NO STRESS" diving. Dive or snorkel and you will finally realize that you can have a great adventure and see everything you hoped to see. Island Ventures offers scuba diving, snorkeling, and PADI scuba instruction in a professional atmosphere. Our two comfortable dive boats are equipped with the latest equipment and are perfect for divers who want to relax and enjoy their dives. Experience Florida Keys Diving at it's best! Captains Ann & Darrell live in the Keys and dive in the Keys. Captains Darrell and Ann Stadler, owners and operators of Island Ventures, are dedicated to providing you with a safe, fun and exciting adventure while you are down here in the Florida Keys. Ann is a Certified PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and is experienced in all the facets of diver training. She began her dive instructor career in Key Largo with another dive operator but moved to Kelly’s on the Bay/Aqua-Nut Divers in the fall of 2003. In early 2004, she was promoted to lead instructor there and served in that capacity until June 2005 when they both left Kelly’s to become the new owners of Island Ventures. Ann received her USCG Captain’s 50 ton Master license in July 2005 and began a new aspect of her dive passion – captaining Wreck Diver! Darrell began diving as a teenager but did not unleash a serious passion for the sport until Ann became certified in 1998 and they took their first dive trip together – their honeymoon. Almost every year after that, Ann encouraged him to take another dive course with her until they became divemasters in 2002. They enjoyed assisting with students so much that they decided to become instructors. After completing some of their specialty instructor training in Key Largo, they decided to make the Florida Keys their new home in 2003. After working for another dive operation as instructor and mate, Darrell began working at Kelly’s on the Bay/Aqua-Nut Divers in Key Largo in the fall of 2003. Subsequent to careful tutoring by Captain Jorge Ruiz, he received his USCG Merchant Marine License 50 ton Master’s in February 2005. Many of their former dive friends and students have followed them to Island Ventures and continue to enjoy their dive counsel. With their combined experiences and knowledge of the waters off Key Largo, they hope to make your dive trip safe, stress free and enjoyable. Ann will help you schedule your dive trip from start to finish and Darrell will see to it that you get out to the reefs and wrecks in a safe and timely fashion. Call today and speak to one of these two dive enthusiasts. Roxy Stadler hasn't completed her dive certification but she is a specialist in boat etiquette and often serves as a Master Bubble Watcher when she has the time. She is a huge proponent of the No Stress Diving that Island Ventures is known for. Our Island Ventures Crew Brian Hugh Brian left Pennsylvania for the Florida Keys in 2005. He chose Island Ventures to begin his scuba instructor career and has never left. When he is not doing electrical work, he relishes the chance to teach divers from beginners to more advanced specialties. Come meet Brian and let him show you what fun it is to dive! Hugh is retired from the U.S. Army and has taken on diving as his “second career”. He is a Master SCUBA Diver Trainer who is also qualified to teach 15 Specialty Courses to include PADI’s newest, Digital Underwater Photographer. He is originally from Georgia and first learned to dive while a student at Georgia Tech “too long ago to remember”. Hugh's wife Charlie is a published author. Wayne Stathers not only lugs tanks for our Island Ventures Team but he is out there with the dive groups making sure they get in and out safely. He also provides great information on the reefs and wrecks we visit! Capt. Jim Spotts has joined the Island Ventures team. After a long corporate career in Asia, he decided to "drop out" for a short time in the Florida Keys. It's hard to believe that was 14 years ago. It's been a great ride. His children are grown and living back home in Hong Kong. SCUBA, free-diving and jogging pretty much sum up his time when he's not driving a boat.