For good reason, the St Andrew's Park Jetties is where you start your shore dive in Panama City Beach. From the parking lot, it's only a short walk to the beach. Once you are in the water, it's easy to get back. The beach-side has very little boat traffic. You should bring your diving flag if crossing to the channel side. The rocks around the jetties are home to many tropical fish. High slack tide is the best period to dive. The visibility and current are also better. St Andrew's Park jetties make for great snorkeling spots in Panama City Beach.
It's easy to see why Panama City Beach is second in Florida for divers. To experience the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico's marine life and beautiful underwater landscapes, you can also jump fin-first.
Check out our collection of free downloads, resources, and more to make sure you are more relaxed before you take that first plunge. Also, you can explore our favorite dive spots and learn about historical landmarks that only exist underwater.
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Panama City Beach’s newest wreck, the El Dorado, is now known as Panama City Beach. Hurricane Michael destroyed the ship in October 2018. She was left stranded off the Hathaway Bridge, as a reminder of the storm's devastation in winter and spring. In May 2019, she became a top-ranked diver.
St Andrew's Park's snow-white sugar sand and Shell Island's are stunning. There are many dolphin cruises available. For land lovers, there are attractions such as Pier Park, Shipwreck Island and Ripley’s Believe it or Not. You'll also find the finest fresh seafood (the Firefly she-crab soup is one of our favorites!). Golden sunsets over turquoise blue waters.
With all of these great options, it isn't hard to see why Panama City Beach is the second-most visited dive location in Florida. You too can jump fins-first into the Gulf of Mexico to experience the marine life and treasured underwater landscapes we call home.
The Black Bart is a 180-foot boat that was built as an artificial coral reef. Vulcano del Golfo was established in 1977 to honor Charles' Black Bart Bartholomew who was Navy Supervisor of Salvage Capt. Bartholomew died while diving off Panama City Beach on September 30, 1990. His feats include leading the Navy in the cleanup of Exxon Valdez's oil spillage.
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.