Joe Berg Underwater Videographer

Southpoint Divers has recently partnered with Joe Berg to film underwater video of our guests diving the Vandenberg/Reef trip daily.  Will be posting sample video (which is incredible) soon...Joe edits while filming...shows finished product during trip back to dock.  Also will be posting underwater pics of Vandenberg soon...(for really real this time).

Bernie Chowdhury (The Last Dive)

Southpoint Divers once again feels priveledged to entertain a bit of celebrity onboard.  After hosting National Geographic's David Doubilet, we were honored to be visited by Explorer Bernie Chowdhury and friends/students for the past week.  Author of The Last Dive, (who graciously autographed copies for the entire crew) Bernie dived for a few days on the Vandenberg before heading to the Dry Tortugas on the M/V Spree.  We hope Bernie and friends enjoyed Southpoint Divers...hope to see you again soon!

Key West Summertime (Lets Just Sit Back and Unwind)

Eleven days since last update...poor even by Key West standards.  We are not only on Key West time...apparently we are on Key West 'Summertime'...which is even slower...if you didn't already get that.  It's not that we haven't been busy, quite the contrary.  The Vandenberg is keeping us 'rockin and rollin'...and it has been fun.  Summertime in Key West...Island slow...boats busy...pretty much counter cyclical to number of visitors to 'the rock'.  Thus, boat has been busy...long days...lots of divers...no updates...and this very very  large waterspout NW of Sunset Key (Tank Island) just a few days ago...witnessed while filling tanks on the turn.  The spout was actually much larger than the pictures show...the biggest I have seen in six years...Impressive twister.  

Vandenberg Still So New

Past few days we have had 20 and 20 for AM/PM.  Everyone is so excited coming up from the Vandenberg...makes the job so much more rewarding.  The blue water has receded...visibility in the 30' to 40' range.  The wreck is equally interesting in less vis...very eerie and a different dive experience...kept waiting for a goliath grouper or big shark to peek its head out of some compartment.  Fish seem to be moving in slowly...barracuda, small cuddle fish and remoras.  The boat tied up next to the Phoenix a few days ago speared a very nice sized Mutton Snapper...one of the biggest I've seen outside of the Dry Tortugas.  Yesterday we had some folks from Key Largo's Rainbow Reef dive center on the boat...think they really had a good time.  It's nice to meet dive professionals from other parts of the Keys...hear how they run their trips.  Of course it is always nice to hear compliments, feedback and praise about what we are doing.  I'm off to enjoy a day of rest and relaxation...much deserved...another beautiful summer day in Key West.  Think they had 20 on the AM this morning...can't wait to hear how about the diving.  

For the Birds

A few pictures of a friendly cormorant...apparently decided he couldn't make the six and half mile flight back to Key West...jumped on board at Eastern Dry Rocks...hitched a ride to Rock Key for another hour of sunbathing...then chilled in the shade under the poop deck for the half hour trip back the rock where he promptly dived off the aft deck and swam away.  

Our First Vandenberg Group From May 30th

Here is our group from the very first day the Vandenberg was open to the public.  Strong current May 30th, but these dive warriors were up to the task...vis was 100' +.  Also posting picture of Key West sunset taken aboard Floridays...our neighbor at the Hyatt Hotel Docks.  

Busy Week

We have been busy at Southpoint...Double wreck dives daily averaging 15 guests, and about the same for our PM double reef trips.  It seems summer has settled in to the Keys as winds have been light, humidity high, and afternoon showers almost daily (though Key West has been spared).  So much diving (as well as a couple of days off spent on the water) that haven't had time to keep up with blog.  Apologies to any divers checking in for the pictures I said would be posted here...I will attempt to be more diligent this week...and will post pictures from last week as I get them.  P.S. Must say it has been great watching people spit their regulators out while coming up the dive ladder to tell us how awesome their dive was.  

Vandenberg and Reef Trips

Phoenix and crew have been busy past couple of days...no time to update.  Double Vandenberg dives AM, light air, calm seas and good vis.  Double reef dives PM.  Jen Hayes and David Doubilet have been on AM trips doing photo work for National Geographic.  It has been a pleasure for the crew to shuttle such renowned photogs back and forth to the wreck.  Also our first three groups of divers to Vandenberg...everyone seems to be pretty stoked coming up.  Haven't had time to take any pics or video of Vandenberg yet...think things will settle in during the next week as we iron out a schedule for our morning trip.  Going through CD of 150 of our best pictures (courtesy of our Polish princess dive instructor and resident photographer Lucja)...will post some of those when have more time.