Panama City Beach Bound?

[trucker girl]

Hello, FCDs!

I'm possibly/probably headed to Panama City Beach with family for a week at the end of June- the house is rented for June 21-27th. I'll know whether we're going as the time gets closer.

I've been on a boat dive with one of the dive shops before- but it was a few years ago after one of the hurricanes and we didn't get to dive. Finances are limited on this trip, so I'm wondering what my shore diving options are.

If there is some decent shore diving and if anyone is available to dive during the week, I'd love to see what it's all about!

If not, maybe I'll see you on the boat!

TG

 

[Dive-aholic]

The only shore diving in Panama City is at the St. Andrews jetties in the St. Andrews State Park. I believe it's $8 entry fee per car load up to 8 people. The dives will have to be dependent on the tides. And you're in luck because high tide runs from 11 to 12:30 the 21st through the 24th. After that you'll have to get up real early to make the tide and I'm not sure if the park opens that early or not.

You can also venture north to the panhandle springs that week.

 

[Yarbrough]

5 dollars per carload, and the diving from shore at st andrews is good most of the time... one of my favorite dives.

Todd

 

[mike_s]

Besides St Andrews, you can dive at Vortex Springs about 1 hour north and maybe Morrison Springs if the county gets it reopened in time this summer.

Destin Jetties are about 1 hour west and are another free option (not including gas to drive over, but cheaper than a boat dive). Tides in Destin will be about an hour later also than PCB.

Boat diving in PCB isn't bad. Several dive operators to choose from. They have a tendancy to go to the same sites over and over again, but if you've never been to them, then they are all new to you and not a big deal.

 

[cmufieldhockey8]

That St. Andrews beach dive is definitely my favorite shore dive of the panhandle. I'd check it out.

 

[mike_s]

BTW Trucker Girl. Might want to make sure you have a towable dive flag at the St Andrews Jetties. The FWC will write you a ticket if they catch you without one.

(or you could just dive with under the flag of someone else...)

 

[ClayJar]

As another Dork Diver and ISOSAD bored member, I've simply *got* to get some diving in if you're this far down from Ohio. I don't know what's up for those dates, but it'd be a crying shame to not get in a quick game of dice or cards or battleship or something. (Hmm... maybe I can get some people together...)

 

[trucker girl]

Hmmm... I'd LOVE to meet you Clay Jar (and anyone else who is reading...).

Thanks for the info, folks.

Clay (and anyone else...) I'll only be able to dive during the week- we arrive on Saturday (so technically I might be able to dive on Sunday the 22nd and we leave on Friday. I'll instabuddy on a boat if I have to, but I'd rather dive with people who have virtual reputations- lol. I dive with a snorkel. That should be in my sig line- lol. (if anyone doesn't get my humor- I apologize, it's been a long day!)

 

[Dive-aholic]

I'm off work and planning do dive during the beginning of the week you'll be in Florida. If you're interested in seeing something different, let me know. You'll have to lose the snorkel, though...

 

[trucker girl]

What? You'd be embarrassed to dive with a gal wearing an oversized, hollow banana?

Beware, Snorkel Girl is watching:

(don't let this scare you off )