Scuba Duba Diving PCB

[Gidget]

I'm PADI certified - however, last dive was several yrs ago at Key Largo. I hear diving at PCB is rather decent.

Anyone have any special places they've enjoyed?

Thanks for sharing.

G

 

[soappedaler]

The Jetty at St. Andrew St. Park is the best diving in the area other than under the Destin Bridge. Panama City Dive Center on Thomas drive is near the entrance of the park. They will rent you tanks and what ever else you need, they will also tell you the best time and how to dive the jetty. You want to go when the tide is coming in or slack. My favorite way to dive them is walk through the north end of the kiddy pool and find a gap in the rocks, swim through then swim south along the jetty. You are required to have a dive flag. If you go on a weekend they'll be other divers there. During the week it will be less crowded. Don't worry about going to Shell ISland the Diving is better on the west side of the pass.

 

[jensieblue]

Ditto on diving the jetties. Had many great dives there, back in my day....Enjoy and tell me how it is now. Thanks...

 

[Gidget]

I thank you both for the info. I have been diving at the Jetties in Destin. Is it similar? Can one snorkel there also?

Any other hot dive spots?

Thanks again
G

 

[Capt Pat]

Gidget, it is the best place to snorkel in PCB in addition to being a great dive. I take my students (I'm a PADI instructor) there for their openwater checkout dives too. Just follow the advice about catching it at peak high tide for best vis and no current. The only complaint I have is that its such a long walk from the parking area to the water.... but then again I am mostly a boat diver and a whiner to boot!

You may also enjoy diving any of the wrecks offshore in the Panhandle, its more expensive to charter a dive boat to get you there than the shore dives but it is worth it to me. In the interest of full disclosure, I should also add that I run a dive charter in Panama City though.

 

[soappedaler]

There's a lot more to see at the Pananma City jetty, we've seen rays, sharks, jew fish, angel fish, spade fish, octupus, little tropicals . Theres coral on some of the rocks. Destin jetty is like a black and white movie Panama City Jetty is in color. Depending on your air usage you maybe able to rent a small tank, makes it easier to walk to the jetty. I bought a 50 tank just to walk out to the Destin Jetty.

 

[bamabeachbum]

Gidget, we do the St. Andrew Jetties also, just make sure to check the tides and try and hit them at high tide. The Destin Jetties has what is called the walk of death, St. Andrew is not near as bad.

Also PCB has several boats that will take you out, capt. Pat has a very good dive charter( mater of fact a group from here is going to be on his boat this weekend, weather permitting), we also use better bottom time


Scuba Diving Panama City Beach

You can get set up with them at divers den in PCB and other dive shops.

By the way, was in Key Largo last week and the diving was off the charts great!!!

 

[bradlch]

Gidget,

I have been diving the Destin and PCB area for years both shore dives and boat dives. We dove with Pat Green in July and had the best dive trip ever with him! Very professional and flexible as to your desires depending on group size. Both the Destin and PCB jetties are cool, but offshore PCB has some of the best wreck dives in the continental US.

 

[Gidget]

There's a lot more to see at the Pananma City jetty, we've seen rays, sharks, jew fish, angel fish, spade fish, octupus, little tropicals . Theres coral on some of the rocks. Destin jetty is like a black and white movie Panama City Jetty is in color. Depending on your air usage you maybe able to rent a small tank, makes it easier to walk to the jetty. I bought a 50 tank just to walk out to the Destin Jetty.

Wow thanks! I know that the East Pass jetties are only good at high tide. Is it the same with the jetties at PCB? If so, do you have chart link?

Thanks again!

G

EDIT: Ok I read that it should be high tide. Not sure what chart shows that! Thx

 

[Gidget]

Gidget,

I have been diving the Destin and PCB area for years both shore dives and boat dives. We dove with Pat Green in July and had the best dive trip ever with him! Very professional and flexible as to your desires depending on group size. Both the Destin and PCB jetties are cool, but offshore PCB has some of the best wreck dives in the continental US.

Seriously! Wow - I am super excited!!!!!

Thanks so much!

G