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Dive Review of Southpoint Divers in
The Continental USA/Key West

Southpoint Divers: "Southpoint Divers- super conservative limits", Jul, 2016,

by Marie Dugan, FL, US (Reviewer Reviewer 3 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 8987 has 2 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations N/A Food N/A
Service and Attitude N/A Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Our goal was to dive the Vandenberg wreck off of Key West. Southpoint Divers were recommended by a local family, so we gave them a try. Nice folks on the phone and in the store, all very helpful. 46 ft. Newton dive vessel, so it should be plenty comfortable.
Showed up at the shop on time, 8 am. Were sent across the way to the docks at the Hyatt, and were told the boat would begin loading around 8:15. No boat until 8:40 am. Loading went smoothly, and off we went. On the briefing out to the site, we were informed of the time limits for both air and nitrox divers. As my husband and I were diving nitrox, we did not feel that the time restraint, of 23 minutes was reflective of our diving style. I cajoled a bit with one of the crew and he extended it to being back on the hang line at 28 minutes.
We followed the directions for the first dive, and indeed were on the line at 27 minutes. Our deepest depth was at 104, and I personally had 1400 psi left over.

After getting back on the boat, we were asked our deepest depth and what air pressure we had remaining. Shortly after, I was informed that I only needed a 35 minute surface interval to get back into the water for our second dive. This was rather disconcerting, as both my husband and I dive Suunto computers, which are very conservative in their calculations.

Again we were told to be on the hang line at 28 minutes. We completed our second dive with 32 minutes prior to getting on the hang line, simply because there were folks waiting to ascend.

The boat was well laid out, the staff were friendly, but not overly helpful, but the time constraints were, to us, over the top. It was more important for them to get us out and back, even though they were late, than to be late for their afternoon trip.

As divers who are responsible, and who wish to get a complete dive with each tank, the boats attitude did not sit well with us.

Next time I wish to dive the Vandenberg, I will go elsewhere for two full dives.
Websites Southpoint Divers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Florida, Hawaii, Bahamas, Bonaire, Curacao, Mexico, Galapagos
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather cloudy Seas choppy, no currents
Water Temp 84-86°F / 29-30°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 40-55 Ft/ 12-17 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Time limit of 28 minutes per dive, on nitrox.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals N/A Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities 2 stars
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Only a single rubbermaid container was available for cameras.
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Report currently has 2 Helpful votes

Subscriber's Comments

By Craig A Wood in PA, US at Jul 18, 2016 13:18 EST  
Disappointingly short dives. My son and I did a triple off the Spree liveaboard last summer 96 feet/53 minutes, 102 feet/48 minutes and 121 feet/41 minutes. We had steel 100s with nitrox, dives were limited by deco. Unfortunately, the Spree has been sold. It would be very frustrating to take the time and make the effort to dive the Vandenberg and end up with such short dives
By robert h Neff in FL, US at Feb 06, 2019 12:15 EST  
very useful comments
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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