Southpoint Divers

Southpoint Divers has been a fixture of the Key West diving community since 1991. Located at 606 Front Street in the Old Town, the centre is perfectly positioned for those looking to combine diving with the atmosphere of the Florida Keys. Their operations are built around a professional approach to both recreational exploration and formal PADI training.

The centre's logistics are streamlined by their proximity to the water; their dedicated dive boat, The Phoenix, is moored directly opposite the shop at the Hyatt Resort and Marina. This allows for a seamless transition from the shop to the boat, whether you are heading out for morning wreck dives or afternoon reef excursions.

As a PADI 5 Star dive centre, Southpoint Divers maintains high standards of instruction and safety. The team is composed of experienced PADI instructors and USCG-certified captains, ensuring that both the educational and maritime aspects of your trip are handled by qualified professionals.

The staff is experienced in managing a wide variety of diver needs, from those completing their first Open Water Diver course to seasoned divers looking for a refresher or specialty training. All instruction and boat operations are conducted in English.

The educational programme at Southpoint Divers is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. You can begin your journey with the Open Water Diver course and progress through to Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster.

Specialty training is also a core part of their offering. They provide courses in Nitrox, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, Navigation, and Peak Performance Buoyancy, as well as environmental specialties such as Coral Conservation, Dive Against Debris, Project Aware, and AWARE Shark Conservation. For those needing to update their skills, they offer dedicated refresher sessions in the pool and on the reef.

The Phoenix serves as the centre's dedicated dive vessel. It is used for various trip types, including morning double-wreck dives, afternoon double-reef dives, and scheduled night dives on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

On board, you will find a cooler provided for your refreshments. The boat provides access to both deep wreck sites and shallower reef systems, with the captain selecting specific locations each day based on current sea conditions to ensure the best possible experience.

The centre provides a full range of equipment for hire, allowing you to travel light if you prefer. This includes essential kit such as regulators, wetsuits, fins, and masks, as well as torches for those participating in night dives.

For those looking to extend their bottom time, Nitrox is available for use. The shop is situated in a central location in Key West, making it an easy base for divers staying in nearby hotels.

The reef systems are home to a vast array of tropical fish that populate the living coral structures. During night dives, the biodiversity shifts as different species become active, including parrotfish, squid, and lobsters.

Macro life and nocturnal residents are a highlight of the local waters. You can observe brittle stars, various species of squid, and lobsters as they emerge from their hiding places once the sun goes down.

The scenery is defined by the intricate architecture of the living coral reef, providing a complex habitat for the local marine life.

The centre operates several different dive profiles depending on the time of day and the target site. Morning sessions are typically dedicated to deeper wreck dives, while afternoon sessions focus on the shallower reef flats.

Captains select dive locations daily, adjusting for the most favourable sea states and conditions. Night dives are specifically scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays, though they can be organised on request.