Members of the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association and Florida Wildlife Commission generated a report assessing the impact to the reefs. They discovered that the reef adjacent to the Varmar (not shown on our dive map because it’s off Mexico Beach) experienced the most impact since it was in 25' of water, with only 35% of the reef material remaining in the original reef patch. However, the artificial reefs in moderate and deep water remained undisturbed. Below is a graphic from that report showing the path of the hurricane through the reefs and wrecks of Panama City Beach.
St Andrew's Park's white sugar sand and Shell Island's stunning scenery are stunning. There are plenty of dolphin cruises. Ripley’s Believe it or Not is another attraction that will delight land lovers. Firefly has some of the best she-crab soup we have ever tasted. golden sunsets over turquoise waters.
Panama City Beach offers a safe haven for divers and snorkelers. You won't regret taking your family to PCB during your diving trip. Even if you and your partner are certified, it is possible to combine a diving trip with a romantic weekend in Panama City Beach.
In 1985, a Navy hovercraft measuring 100 feet in length was destroyed by the sea. The twin aluminum pontoons, which rise 10 feet above the ocean floor, are in good condition. Although the hovercraft is unique, it wouldn't make a great feature dive site. It's also close to the Black Bart. You can still swim laps around the structure, and float up and back down the stairs.
If you are looking to train, seek out Scuba Dive Panama City Beach, a full-service dive center and aquatic training facility. Their expert instructors have over 50 years of global diving experience, parlayed to students in both their heated pool and range of open-water courses.
The Panama City Beach has a variety of great dive sites, suitable for both beginners as well as experienced divers. Over 50 artificial reefs can be found within miles of the World's Most Beautiful Beaches. There are also bridge spans, boats, bridges, and hundreds upon hundreds of natural limestone reefs. The depths range from 18 feet to 110ft.
Our definition of inshore diving is less than 8 miles from St Andrew’s Pass and generally safe of open water divers. Notable dives here include the Red Sea, a 125' tug boat installed in 2009, and the historic wreck of the E.E. Simpson Tug that sank in 1929. Other interesting sites include Stage 2 (a Navy platform that was demolished in 1984), the Fontainebleau Boxcars (two boxcars and associated reef material), and a pair of Voodoo jets anchored in Seltzer Reef. Below is our table of inshore dive sites in Panama City Beach with associated bottom depths.
Never hold your breath
As every good entry-level dive student knows, this is the most important rule of scuba. And for good reason — breath holding underwater can result in serious injury and even death. In accordance with Boyle's law, the air in a diver's lungs expands during ascent and contracts during descent.
As you become a qualified scuba diver, you learn the basics of an essential scuba system. A cylinder, weights, an exposure suit, regulators, BCD gauge and timing device, mask and fins are the bare essentials.