Panama City Beach offers Unique Dive Sites
Panama City Beach, Florida - The natural, historical, and artificial
reefs in the waters off Panama City Beach provide the greatest variety
of dive sites of any area. The warm Gulf of Mexico waters encourage
rapid growth and the wrecks and other underwater sites provide an
excellent home and breeding ground for all types of exotic sea life -
from tropical fish to giant Manta Rays.
The dive sites include several historic wrecks including a 441-ft.
World War II liberty ship: a 220-ft World War II tug, The Chippewa;
the 160-ft. coastal freighter, S.S. Tarpon; the 110-ft. tug,
Chickasaw; and the 110-ft. tug, the Grey Ghost, as well as the Gulf
of Mexico's most famous wreck, the 465-ft. Empire Mica. With all
of the wrecks available for exciting dives, Panama City Beach has
gained the reputation of the "Wreck Capital of the South."
There are 50 artificial reef sites, which have been successful
due to the commitment of the community-coordinated Panama City
Marine Institute. These include Stage I, Stage II, fifteen 160-ft.
long and 35-ft. high bridge spans, ten barges, the City of Atlantis,
The LOSS project and many more. The natural reefs range in depth
from 80 to 110 feet and are just a few miles offshore. These
reefs range in height from three to eight feet and are teeming
with sealife including small corals and colorful sponges. Closer
to the shore, the jetties at St. Andrew' s State Recreation Area
are a popular snorkeling site.
The best time of year for diving in the waters off Panama City Beach
is between April and September. Parties of up to 30 people can
enjoy both inshore and offshore diving. Crafts include 32-ft. to
48 ft. fiberglass customized and converted crew boats and all carry
U.S. Coast Guard approved safety equipment. Several full service
dive shops in the area offer customized packages and provide diving
and snorkeling gear.
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