Pompano Dive Center and charters going out of business...

[Green Frog]

When I did a search of Sands Harbor Resort, all I got was this three year old stuff about them being sold and Pompano Dive Center losing their lease there. Does anyone have current info about the SHR and whatever dive operation moved in after PDC moved out?
I’m considering a trip with a local (Central VA) group going down in January and staying there to dive with their current dive op. After all the kerfuffle 4 years ago, what kind of experience am I likely to have now (in Jan, 2024)?
Thanks in advance for any current information and please understand I don’t want to open up any old wounds, it’s just that I have this possible opportunity for a dive trip.

 

[boulderjohn]

When I did a search of Sands Harbor Resort, all I got was this three year old stuff about them being sold and Pompano Dive Center losing their lease there. Does anyone have current info about the SHR and whatever dive operation moved in after PDC moved out?
I’m considering a trip with a local (Central VA) group going down in January and staying there to dive with their current dive op. After all the kerfuffle 4 years ago, what kind of experience am I likely to have now (in Jan, 2024)?
Thanks in advance for any current information and please understand I don’t want to open up any old wounds, it’s just that I have this possible opportunity for a dive trip.

There is currently a thread asking roughly the same thing. It will give you what you are looking for.

Looking For Dive Charter Pompano Wrecks

We are looking for a dive charter diving the wrecks. Any suggestions or recommendations?

scubaboard.com

The shop that took over the location for Pompano Dive Center is South Florida Diving Headquarters. Their ownership had a whole lot to do with Pompano Dive Center being forced out. They wanted that spot.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Green Frog

I haven't dived south of Boynton Beach for a very long time. There appears to be a page on the SFDH website regarding the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina.

Sands Harbor Resort & Marina - South Florida Diving Headquarters

“Dive in Dive out” The Sands Harbor Resort and Marina is the ideal hotel for your diving adventure. Recently under new ownership, the hotel is transforming into a sophisticated boutique resort with all the perfect amenities for experienced and beginner divers and scuba lovers. Dive trips...

www.southfloridadiving.com

I did dive off Scubatyme III out of Boynton Harbor Marina once in September, it was generally fine

Trip Report - Finally, back at home 2023 #2

I was last down in June, first time this year since recovering from my broken leg at the end of last year. I had a great trip to Malpelo at the end of July. I flew down from Philadelphia to PBI on Tuesday. The plane was completely full. Airport at both ends was a breeze. Effortless car rental...

scubaboard.com

 

[boulderjohn]

I did dive off Scubatyme III out of Boynton Harbor Marina once in September, it was generally fine

Yes, that is the new home of Scubatyme. It has nothing to do with the Pompano Beach area any more.

 

[FreqFlier]

Yes, that is the new home of Scubatyme. It has nothing to do with the Pompano Beach area any more.

Yup, it's in BB marina. SFDH bought Scubatyme (and their boat) like 2 years ago?

SFDH still has 3 boats in Sands Harbor though.

Does anyone have current info about the SHR and whatever dive operation moved in after PDC moved out?

If you're staying in SHR and have no car, SFDH is your only viable option. AquaLife is about a mile or so north of it

 

[Divin'Papaw]

The shop that took over the location for Pompano Dive Center is South Florida Diving Headquarters. Their ownership had a whole lot to do with Pompano Dive Center being forced out. They wanted that spot.

Yup. One of the myriad reasons I won’t dive with SFDH. Unfortunately, there currently aren’t any decent charter operators hitting the sites off of Pompano IMO. Which is really too bad because there’s some awesome wrecks there. These days all of my diving is north in Palm Beach County.

 

[Jcp2]

SFDH has also contributed to the Pompano wreck landscape (involuntarily and temporarily).

 

[Bubblesong]

I hope SFDH has functional rental gear now, since they had a lot of broken stuff when I dove with them years ago.

 

[Green Frog]

SFDH has also contributed to the Pompano wreck landscape (involuntarily and temporarily).

OK, remember I asked the question because I don’t know anything about the local goings-on. Would you be willing to shed a little more light on the event(s) you hinted at? I’m about to get hooked up with a dive trip that is being arranged by a dive shop here in VA. The shop owner has never been there but has had good second hand reports of the combined hotel and dive operations and they are offering reasonable rates. I don’t want to put myself in a bad position by joining in on a losing proposition, but I also don’t want to be left out of a good trip just because of old hard feelings over past business dealings that don’t or won’t affect me.
Green Frog
PS My LDS owner has been told that they have two large and one smaller dive boat, and that if we bring a group of 12 we’ll have the smaller boat to ourselves with somewhat more control of where we dive.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

OK, remember I asked the question because I don’t know anything about the local goings-on. Would you be willing to shed a little more light on the event(s) you hinted at? I’m about to get hooked up with a dive trip that is being arranged by a dive shop here in VA. The shop owner has never been there but has had good second hand reports of the combined hotel and dive operations and they are offering reasonable rates. I don’t want to put myself in a bad position by joining in on a losing proposition, but I also don’t want to be left out of a good trip just because of old hard feelings over past business dealings that don’t or won’t affect me.
Green Frog
PS My LDS owner has been told that they have two large and one smaller dive boat, and that if we bring a group of 12 we’ll have the smaller boat to ourselves with somewhat more control of where we dive.

Dive Boat Sinks in Pompano Beach

Divers rescued after boat starts to sink off Pompano Beach – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

scubaboard.com