About Tarpoon Lagoon Dive Center
Tarpoon Lagoon Dive Center holds the distinction of being Miami's oldest family-owned dive shop, tracing its roots back to 1952 and operating as a PADI 5-Star Dive Center from its home base at the Miami Beach Marina on Alton Road. Located in the South of Fifth neighbourhood — right on the water next to some of South Beach's best waterfront restaurants — the shop is equal parts retail store, training academy, and charter operation. For over seven decades, the family behind Tarpoon Lagoon has introduced thousands of divers to the reefs and wrecks that line the coast just a few miles offshore.
Daily two-tank dive charters head out to a rotating roster of sites that includes shallow coral ledges teeming with tropical fish, deeper artificial reefs, and historic shipwrecks resting in 35 to 130 feet of water. Snorkel-only trips run in the afternoons for non-divers who want to experience the underwater world from the surface. The PADI course catalogue spans everything from Discover Scuba introductory sessions to Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster certifications — all taught by experienced instructors using the shop's on-site indoor training pool before students hit the open ocean.
Beyond charters and courses, Tarpoon Lagoon operates a full-service dive retail store and repair shop, selling and servicing regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, masks, and fins from top brands. Independent divers heading to the Florida Keys or beyond can rent complete gear sets by the day. The marina-side location means the dive boat is docked steps from the shop, and the whole process — from gear fitting to boarding — happens in one compact, walkable area. For anyone visiting Miami Beach who wants to explore what lies beneath the surface, Tarpoon Lagoon is the most established and comprehensive dive operation on the island.
