Spectacular Reefs & Wreck Dives
Southpoint Divers scuba diving Key West has been in business since 1991 and is consistently voted the best dive shop!
Southpoint Divers scuba diving Key West is located in the heart of Old Town on Front Street. Our shop, stocked with all your dive essentials and ScubaPro gear, is at 606 Front Street and our custom dive boat, The Phoenix, docks directly across the street at the Hyatt Resort and Marina.
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is the only living coral barrier reef in the United States. The Vandenberg wreck is the second largest artificial reef in the world.
Looking to advance your diving skills? Our PADI 5-Star dive center offers all courses up to and including DiveMaster.
Scuba Diving Key West
Visit the beautiful reefs of Key West.
dive with us
The best dive shop in Key West.
Morning Double-Wreck Dives
Our morning trip goes to the world’s second largest artificial reef, the Vandenberg. Sunk in 2009, this 520-ft long, 100-ft tall shipwreck sits on a sandy bottom at 140-ft deep. The approximate depth of the deck is about 100-ft. Diving this wreck is a truly unique experience!
Afternoon Double-Reef Dives
Just off the Florida Keys, a short boat ride away, is the world’s third largest living coral barrier reef. On our afternoon trip, we dive two reef sites with tons of tropical fish. This shallow reef system is perfect for the beginner diver or the avid adventurer.
Night Dives
Experience a shallow night dive on the reef with us! We descend with the sun and the moon is high when we surface. The Coral Reef comes alive at night as the Parrot Fish tuck into their protective cocoons, Brittle Stars and Lobster become active, Squid swim about and more! Summer conditions make Night Diving even more amazing!
Get Certified
Learn in a day or advance your diving skills.
Discover SCUBA Diving in One Day!
Never experienced SCUBA Diving but want to try it out?
Our one day course will get you blowing bubbles right away!
In the morning, you’ll have an instruction course to learn the basics of diving and how to use the gear. In the afternoon you’ll go out on our Afternoon Double-Reef trip to experience the world underwater with an instructor as your guide. The reef is shallow and our PADI certified instructors are patient so you’ll get to check this incredible dip under the ocean off your bucket list!
Dive Courses
Looking to advance your diving skills?
Our PADI 5-Star dive center offers all courses up to and including Dive Master.
Refresher courses are great for those who have not been diving in a while – perfect if you want to dive the Vandenberg and haven’t blown bubbles in the past year. There are several options for PADI Open Water Certification and you can even get started at home before your Key West trip. This three part course is easy, fun, and the beginning of an adventurous exploration of the world underwater!
all your dive essentials and ScubaPro gear
Visit our shop
Southpoint Divers scuba diving Key West has been in business since 1991 and is consistently voted the best dive shop in Key West!
Our knowledgeable staff will help you find the right gear for your dive.
our crew
Don Mckenzie
Owner / Scuba Instructor
Certifications: PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, USCG Master Captains License
I am from upstate New York and have been in Key West since 1994. I watched Jacque Cousteau reruns when I was growing up and fell in love with the ocean and wanted to get certified. I made my way to Key West, got certified and started working at Southpoint Divers in the mid 1990s and decided to buy it the late 90s. During my time in Key West, I have become an avid diver and fisherman, so if you don’t see me at the dive shop I’m likely out on the water searching for that next fish story.
Tropical Mike
Captain / Master Scuba Instructor
Certifications: Master Scuba Instructor
Tropical Mike isn’t just our Head Captain — he’s a legend. With decades of experience on the water, Trop has become a true cornerstone of our dive family and a name every returning diver asks about.
You’ll find him at the helm of our boats, making every trip seamless, safe, and memorable. Known for his endless stories, island knowledge, and laid-back humor, Trop has become a novelty of the Southpoint experience — the captain who turns a day of diving into an authentic slice of Key West life.
Originally from Amelia Island, Florida, Mike made his way south to escape the cold and embrace the island lifestyle full-time. Now, he’s as much a part of the Keys as the reef itself — our legendary captain who keeps the Southpoint spirit alive every single day.
Drew Rutherford
Captain / Engineer / Scuba Instructor
Certifications: USCG 100 Ton Captain License with towing endorsement, Open Water Scuba Instructor, CPR First Aid, Scubapro Technician, Nitrox, Gas Blender
USCG 100 Ton Captain License with towing endorsement, Open Water Scuba Instructor, CPR First Aid, Scubapro Technician, Nitrox, Gas Blender
Drew has been with Southpoint Divers since 2015, and over the years he has become one of the most vital components of our team. Known as “the man who keeps it all running,” Drew is not only a skilled PADI Instructor and USCG 100-Ton Captain but also the one who ensures our operation stays shipshape day in and day out.
From diesel engines to dive compressors, Drew is our go-to marine engineer and problem-solver, keeping our boats and equipment in top condition so every trip runs safely and smoothly. His career began in the Coast Guard in 2001, followed by years of experience as a private yacht captain, sailor, and marine engineer. That expertise, combined with his certifications as a Scubapro Technician, Nitrox Specialist, and Gas Blender, make him the backbone of our diving operation.
While Drew can fix just about anything, his favorite part of the job is still working with divers in the water — helping students build confidence, overcome fears, and discover the magic of the ocean.
Dean Anderson
PADI Scuba Instructor, Gas Blender
Certifications: Emergency First Responder (EFR), Primary/Secondary CPR and First AID, Shark Conversation, TWIC, OSHA 30
Specialties Taught: Deep, Dive Against Debris, Project Aware, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Nitrox
Originally from North Carolina, Dean joined Southpoint Divers almost a year ago and quickly became known for his fun energy and positive vibes on every trip. His passion for diving began at age 10 when his parents signed him up for a Discover Scuba Diving course — sparking a lifelong love for the ocean.
Drawn to the island lifestyle, Dean made the move to Key West to combine his love for diving with the vibrant local community. He currently teaches specialties including Enriched Air (Nitrox) and Night Diver, but also serves as our Nitrox Gas Blender.
While at Southpoint, his goal is to achieve the PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) rating. Dean continues to expand his skills in both teaching and technical operations.
McKinzie Parks
Conservation Lead Instructor, PADI Scuba Instructor
Specialties Taught: Dive Against Debris, Project Aware, Coral Conservation, Nitrox
McKinzie is a dedicated PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor who came to Key West to pursue her degree in Marine Resource Management at the College of the Florida Keys. At Southpoint Divers, she brings that same passion for the ocean into every course she teaches, creating a safe and fun environment for new divers. Eager to expand her skills and knowledge, McKinzie is committed to growing as an instructor . Her positive energy and genuine care for her students make her a favorite both on the boat and in the water.
Palmer Dunn
Lead SCUBAPRO Technician, PADI Scuba Instructor
Certifications: PADI Scuba Instructor , Emergency First Responder (EFR), Pro SCUBAPRO technician
Specialties Taught: Primary/ Secondary CPR and First Aid, AWARE Shark Conservation, Wreck, Dive Against Debris, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Nitrox , Deep Diver
Palmer has been part of the Southpoint Divers team for over four years, where he has built a reputation for his calm presence and exceptional customer service — earning him the nickname #CalmerWithPalmer.
Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Palmer moved to Key West to study Diving Business & Technology at the College of the Florida Keys. Since then, he has advanced his career to become a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) and Lead SCUBAPRO Technician, with the ability to rebuild and maintain all SCUBAPRO equipment in-house.
Dedicated to both teaching and technical excellence, Palmer specializes in courses ranging from Nitrox and Night Diver to AWARE Shark Conservation, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Wreck Diver. He is currently working toward his 100-ton Captain’s License, further expanding his ability to lead both in and out of the water.
Palmer’s attention to detail, professionalism, and passion for diving make him an invaluable part of Southpoint Divers — whether he’s training new students, maintaining top-quality gear, or ensuring every guest has a safe and memorable dive experience.
What are you waiting for?
Experience Scuba Diving Key West with the Best!
