Panama City Diving; scuba charters, dive sites and spearfishing offshore of the Panhandle's Emerald Coast.
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This page is dedicated providing information about local dive sites, dive shops and scuba charters in Panama City and Panama City Beach, Florida. Panama City is well known for its wreck diving, artificial reef program and offshore spearfishing. There are many dive sites to choose from, no matter what level of experience and training you have. Additionally there are a number of dive boats and scuba operations to choose from to get you there.
About Panama City and Panama City Beach Diving
About Panama City and Panama City Beach Diving
The vast majority of Panama City diving is done via dive boat to shipwrecks or artificial reefs. Panama City does not have the warm tropical water temperatures year round to support the large coral formations prominent in the Keys. Local visibility is about 30' on average and there is seldom any current to speak of. The shore based diving opportunities are limited to the several springs north of town and the jetties at St Andrews State Park. It is very important to catch the tide correctly at the jetties or low visibility in high current may be in store for you!
Local dive shops and dive charters expect divers to be able to dive without needing assistance beyond a site and conditions briefing. They also offer escorted dives with a Divemaster for divers who may be a little rusty.... provided they are notified ahead of time. This a marked contrast with many dive operations in the Caribbean where divers are led in a single file line by a Divemaster and everyone surfaces when the first person gets low on breathing gas. This has caught some divers from out of town off guard so a self evaluation of your dive skills should be done to decide if you want a divemaster to accompany you or if a refresher course may be in order. It is also worth noting that the vast majority of Panama City Dive industry employees are fun loving and love a good prank as much a good dive. Case in point would be the fake skeleton kissing diver at the top of this page!
If you have local diving questions like what conditions will be like while you are here, feel free to call a local dive shop (listed on the dive shop page) or email Capt Pat Green of Panama City Dive Charters @ patrickmgreen@gmail.com. Pat has logged over 1000 scuba dives in local waters and is always happy to get more people to see what he loves about diving out of Panama City.
Local dive shops and dive charters expect divers to be able to dive without needing assistance beyond a site and conditions briefing. They also offer escorted dives with a Divemaster for divers who may be a little rusty.... provided they are notified ahead of time. This a marked contrast with many dive operations in the Caribbean where divers are led in a single file line by a Divemaster and everyone surfaces when the first person gets low on breathing gas. This has caught some divers from out of town off guard so a self evaluation of your dive skills should be done to decide if you want a divemaster to accompany you or if a refresher course may be in order. It is also worth noting that the vast majority of Panama City Dive industry employees are fun loving and love a good prank as much a good dive. Case in point would be the fake skeleton kissing diver at the top of this page!
If you have local diving questions like what conditions will be like while you are here, feel free to call a local dive shop (listed on the dive shop page) or email Capt Pat Green of Panama City Dive Charters @ patrickmgreen@gmail.com. Pat has logged over 1000 scuba dives in local waters and is always happy to get more people to see what he loves about diving out of Panama City.
Summertime bait fish evading (mostly) hungry spade fish over Bridge Span #14.
Question- What can we do when we aren't diving?
Answer- Learn about the history of diving!
The Museum of Man in the Sea is a favorite Panama City Beach attraction that is very much worth dropping in to visit. From the most ancient innovations to shipwreck artifacts to more recent military and science equipment and everything in between, this is a must see for all scuba and science enthusiasts alike.Answer- Learn about the history of diving!
