Hello everyone

MellowD · Aug 28, 2010

I just moved to Panama City Beach from Louisville, Kentucky & thought I'd check on here for the local diving information. (Thanks to Hetland for pointing me in the right direction)

I'm curious as to the local diving scene...where to go, where not to go, what there is to see, etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm super stoked to finally be living near the ocean & can't wait to get started living like it.

wjefferis · Aug 28, 2010

Well for beach diving you have the Panama City Jetties, Destin Jetties, Ft. Pickens Jetties. Pensacola Beach Pier Rubble. All are tide dependant. The best way to dive them is to PM one of us and meet up.

There are also some great spring dives as well. PM me and I will be glad to show you some of the cool dives we have here.

wjefferis · Aug 28, 2010

This is from the MBT Divers website (great shop and great website for local diving).
www.mbtdivers.com

THREE BARGES N30:17.320 / W87:13.220

[SIZE=-1]Remains of 3 coal barges sunk as an artificial reef approximately 5 miles south east of Pensacola Pass. Depths range 45-60 . This large site is an area favorite for shell collecting and training new divers, and is home to an impressive array of marine life including resident sea turtles. [/SIZE]

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SOULE BARGE 30:10.885 / 87:14.568

[SIZE=-1]Deployed in 1992 as an artificial reef approximately 10 miles SSE of Pensacola Pass. Depths range 70 - 80'. The barge lies inverted on the bottom and the site includes radio towers. Great site for Snapper, Grouper, Flounder, and Amberjack. [/SIZE]

PETE TIDE II N30:08.762 / W87:14.017

[SIZE=-1]180 long oil rig supply vessel sunk in 1993 as an artificial reef approximately 12 miles SSE of Pensacola Pass. Depths range 65-105. The classic shipwreck, she sits upright and intact, and is home to large schools of Amberjack, Snapper, and Grouper. Occasional Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, and Dolphin . [/SIZE]

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USS. MASSACHUSETS N30:17.450 / W087:18.690

[SIZE=-1]Turn of the Century US Navy Battleship, brought to Pensacola in the 1920s and scuttled in shallow water as an artillery target. Approximately 2 miles SSW of Pensacola Pass. Depths range 20 45. Named an underwater archaeological preserve in 1992. Rremains of the gun turrets can often be seen above the water. [/SIZE]

TUG SYLVIA N30:10.985 / W87:14.120

[SIZE=-1]65 long Tug sunk in 1990 as an artificial reef approximately 9 miles SSE of Pensacola Pass. Depths range 65-80. Sitting upright, this wreck attracts a large array of marine life, including Amberjack, Snapper, Grouper, and Triggerfish[/SIZE]

TEX EDWARDS BARGE N30:16.137 / W87:10.150

[SIZE=-1]Intentionally sunk as an artificial reef in 65 of water approximately 7 miles ESE of Pensacola Pass. Attracts large numbers of tropical reef species as well as Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish, and Amberjack. [/SIZE]

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BRASS WRECK N30:12.853 / W87:03.216

[SIZE=-1]The Brass Wreck is an unidentified 19th century schooner which lies in 90-95 of water approximately 15 miles ESE of Pensacola Pass. A favorite of local divers because of the variety of marine life it holds, especially tropical reef species. All that remains of the wreck are the iron ribs, ballast, and windlass.[/SIZE]

TUG PHILIP 30:07.810 / 87:13.400

[SIZE=-1]60' long tug boat deployed in 1990 as an artificial reef. The Philip sits intact and upright in 95' of water approximately 14 miles SSE of Pensacola Pass. Snapper, Grouper, and Amberjack are all common to this wreck. Occasional Dolphin, Wahoo, and Tuna. [/SIZE]

RUSSIAN FREIGHTER/ "SAN PABLO" N30:11.329 / 87:13.088

On July 2, 1942, - At 0401hrs, U-161 fired a spread of two stern torpedoes at the San Pablo, which lay berthed at the fully illuminated pier in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica and was discharging cargo. The ship was hit amidships and near the bridge in #1 and #2 holds and quickly settled to the bottom with only her superstructure above the water because the watertight doors between all holds had been left open. One crew member died on watch below and 23 stevedores (residents of Puerto Limon) working in the holds were killed. All but three crew members of the vessel were ashore at the time of the attack. On 9 Jan 1943, the San Pablo was raised and after temporary repairs on 6 March, taken in tow by the tug Crusader to Tampa via Puerto Castilla and Key West, arriving on 28 March. It was first planned to repair the vessel, but she was declared a total loss and sunk as target 9 miles SSE of Pensacola Pass on 25 September, 1943.

Nobody is sure how she became to be known locally as the "Russian Freighter".[SIZE=-1] A Spectacular dive site, the Freighter attracts a wide array of marine life, from tropicals to game fish. The wreck is spread over a large area with the highest relief is found around the boilers on the east side of the wreck. Depths range 75-85[/SIZE]

LIBERTY SHIP JOSEPH L MEEK

N30:16.348 / W87:09.550

[SIZE=-1]The 400 hull of the Liberty Ship was sunk as an artificial reef in 90 of water , approximately 8 mile ESE of Pensacola pass. The muddy bottom makes this a favorite site for spear fishermen seeking Flounder, Snapper, and Amberjack.[/SIZE]

PARADISE HOLE N30:12.950 / W87:10.440

Paradise Hole is a large area of natural limestone outcroppings and coral heads which lies approximately 8 miles SE of Pensacola Pass. A long time favorite of fishermen and spear fishermen . Depths range 80-115

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CHEVRON RIG N30:04.242 / W87:02.120

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Unemployed oil rig deployed as an artificial reef in 1993 approximately 21 miles SE of Pensacola Pass. Depths range from 70-135. The tremendous amount of marine life that inhabits and visits the rig makes this a spectacular dive and fishing site and a favorite for lobster hunters.

OOPS BARGE N30:13.133 / W87:13.813

[SIZE=-2][SIZE=-1]The Oops Barge received its name when it sank approximately 8 miles SE of Pensacola Pass, about 2 miles short of its preplanned destination. Depths range 70' - 75. The wreck holds an impressive amount of marine life, including tropicals.[/SIZE][/SIZE]

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PC BARGE N30:10.920 / W87:14.030

[SIZE=-2][SIZE=-1]Deployed in 1990 as an artificial reef approximately 9 miles SSE from Pensacola Pass. Radio Towers were added to this site in 1991. Depth 80 Tropicals and Game fish are plentiful.[/SIZE][/SIZE]

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AVOCET N29:58.401 / W87:12.623

[SIZE=-2][SIZE=-1]The 250 long dredge Avocet was sunk as an artificial reef in 1991 approximately 21 miles SSE of Pensacola Pass. The upper structure of the wreck has been torn off and scattered by hurricanes. Depths range 90-130. The Avocet's close proximity to the Edge often brings in large pelagic fish species such as Wahoo, Dolphin, and Tuna. [/SIZE][/SIZE]

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[SIZE=-2][SIZE=-1]31 miles SSE of Pensacola Pass, the area is well known as a favorite big game fi[/SIZE][/SIZE]ANTERES N30:00.630 / W87:07.749

[SIZE=-2][SIZE=-1]The 400' long Anteres was sunk in 1995 as an artificial reef 21 miles ESE of Pensacola Pass. Depths range 90-135. Broken and resting on her port side, the Anteres is home to large schools of Snapper, Grouper, and Amberjack as well as Tropicals. Occasional Tuna, Dolphin, Wahoo, and Cobia.[/SIZE][/SIZE]

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NAVY BOATS N30:05.309 / W87:09.634

[SIZE=-2][SIZE=-1]Navy Dive Support ship YDT-14 and her sister ship YDT-15 were sunk as artificial reefs in April of 2000, They both sit upright , 300 apart approximately 17 mile SSE of Pensacola Pass. Depths range 65-90. These wrecks quickly became home to an impressive array of marine life, and local favorites for divers. [/SIZE][/SIZE]

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TENNECO RIG N29:59.761 / W87:05.085

[SIZE=-2][SIZE=-1]Retired oil rig deployed as an artificial reef in 1982, approximately 22 miles SSE of Pensacola Pass. Depths range 90-175. A favorite site for spear fishermen and lobster hunters, the Tenneco Rig attracts the full array of marine life including deep water pelagics and occasionally billfish. Also a favorite training site for technical dive courses.[/SIZE][/SIZE]

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TIMBER HOLES N30:11.083 / W86:51.578
[SIZE=-2][SIZE=-1]The Timber Holes is a large area of natural limestone ledges which formed around timber standing in prehistoric forests. This site, 24 miles ESE of Pensacola Pass, is home to an incredible variety of marine life, and is a favorite destination for divers seeking lobster. Depths range 100 125[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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MellowD · Aug 29, 2010

Thanks for the info, that's fantastic.

I actually dove on Pete's Tide & the Russian Freighter a couple years ago as well as the Oriskany with MBT. I very much enjoyed diving with MBT. They do run a great operation.

As far as the springs are concerned, I've been to Morrison once, and I've been to Devil's Den, Crystal River & Rainbow River. Every January we would trek down there from Kentucky to dive the springs & do the whole Manatee thing.

wjefferis · Aug 29, 2010

Since you are located in Panama City I am sure you will become very familiar with the PC Jetties (great shore dive). There are two dive shops I like in PC:

Dive Locker - Panama City Beach Florida Dive Store featuring Henderson Wet Suits and Brownie's Hookah Systems, Panama City Beach Florida Dive Charters, Florida Scuba Information, PADI

Panama City Dive Center

CW2008 · Aug 29, 2010

And Panama City Dive Charters. Pat Green is often posting here and is very helpful.

denisegg · Aug 29, 2010

Welcome to the neighborhood!! To meet new dive buddies and friends check out our local gathering which will be in about 6 weeks!
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tr...deep-dixie/307604-vortoberfest-vi-2010-a.html

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