Panama City This summer-Where to dive

[EuphoriaII]

My first ocean dive/boat dive was in PC with Hydrospace a couple years ago. We dove Black Bart and Bridge span 14 (see avitar). It looks like we're going back for a week in late July and was wondering what your recommendations are?
I'm sort of interested in trying lobster hunting and I recall seeing a dive op that offered that and would cook them when you get back but I can't seem to locate their site now.

Also, I'm thinking about the 3 tank dives that go a little further offshore. Maybe interested in the freshwater diving near there as well.

What do you recommend?
TIA

 

[divinginn]

a fun dive to hit is the jetties at st. andrews state park,have to hit the tide right or you get a lot of current and reduced visability,the dive shops can tell you the best times.

 

[divinginn]

you might try diving the aircraft carrier oriskiny out of pensecola fla. i cant wait to do that dive.

 

[mike_s]

My first ocean dive/boat dive was in PC with Hydrospace a couple years ago. We dove Black Bart and Bridge span 14 (see avitar).

I think that's the only places they go. Black Bart and Hathway Bridge span #14. (or at least it seemes that way.

What do you recommend?
TIA

Hydrospace went out of business either late 2005 or early 2006. Panama City Dive Center (PCDC) bought their boats and operates them out of the same marina slips. Apparantly the 'boats' only know the same above wreck sites and it seems that that is still the only place they go.

You can find them on the web at www.pcdivecenter.com/


Other choices are Dive Locker, Divers Den and Dixie Divers. Most of the below are 6-pack operators. You can check with them about lobster trips.

You can find them at
http://www.divelockerpcb.com/
http://www.dixiedivers.net/
http://www.diversdenonline.com/


Hope that helps.

-MIke

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

If you can fill a boat, you can usually dictate which sites to goto, to a point - conditions may dictate the captain staying in closer obviously. There are other sites in the area, but they aren't dived much.

As for freshwater dives, Vortex, Morrison, and Cypress Springs are about an hour north. They can be alot of fun - Morrison and Cypress moreso(IMO) and free.

 

[EuphoriaII]

If you can fill a boat, you can usually dictate which sites to goto, to a point - conditions may dictate the captain staying in closer obviously. There are other sites in the area, but they aren't dived much.

As for freshwater dives, Vortex, Morrison, and Cypress Springs are about an hour north. They can be alot of fun - Morrison and Cypress moreso(IMO) and free.

I won't be filling a boat as it will just be my son and I diving. But I'll chek into the ops mike_s recommended and see if I can get someone that will run to some of the other sites.
I'll research the aircraft carrier as well but I thought I read somewhere the flight deck was at 130ft and you were pretty much limited to the 'tower' portion?

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Oriskany is out of Pensacola, dunno if you want to drive that far... 1.5-2 hours down Hwy98 from PCB and P'Cola. Tower starts at 70' and flight deck is near 130', you can go deeper - if you are trained for it. The tower itself is bigger than most divesites.

 

[wjefferis]

There is so much to see on the tower it would take several dives just to get all over it. I dove it 30 days after it sunk and believe me it is worth the drive to P-Cola. If you do, check out Blue Water Advertures at http://bluwateradventures.com/

 

[jviehe]

My first ocean dive/boat dive was in PC with Hydrospace a couple years ago. We dove Black Bart and Bridge span 14 (see avitar). It looks like we're going back for a week in late July and was wondering what your recommendations are?
I'm sort of interested in trying lobster hunting and I recall seeing a dive op that offered that and would cook them when you get back but I can't seem to locate their site now.

Also, I'm thinking about the 3 tank dives that go a little further offshore. Maybe interested in the freshwater diving near there as well.

What do you recommend?
TIA

I recommend getting Ned Deloches book on florida diving, as it has all the best spots. My favorites out there are the Acokeek, Chipewa, Tarpon, Two Tugs. All 100ft deep.

 

[mike_s]

I agree. It's a very good book. It's got the 'major dive sites' for PCB listed.

Diving Guide to Underwater Florida - Ned DeLoach - $13

You can buy it at Amazon, or any online book store.