Currentless Shore Dives?

[TMHeimer]

Another question. The 3 months (Jan.-March) we will be in Destin (done this before) means high tides don't occur a whole lot during the day due to the diurnal tides there. So it can be spotty trying to get dives in at the Destin Jetty, Bridge, St. Andrews, Ft. Pickens, etc. Does any one know of some little-dived spots that are not prone to currents--say from P'Cola to AP'cola-- areas of back bays, etc. Even 10-15' depth would suffice in a pinch. It's better than waiting 3 weeks in hopes that the 2 high tide days for inlets also have good weather. Thanks in advance.

 

[DocCarl]

Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary and Artificial Reef

Two new installations in the bay side, one new one on the Gulf. There's also an artificial reef project a little to the west of these, near the Portifino resort. Another one in Pensacola bay, closer to the entrance of the Ft. Pickens park.

In Destin, I'm not so sure. What little diving I've done up in the bay was for a navigation class, and we benefited from the 1' visibility & muddy bottom. Equally unsure about PCB & locations to the east. If the tides are all wrong, it may be more fun to work on getting a boat lined up.


Carl

 

[paulwall]

Morrison Springs might be worth a visit as might the Portofino Beach artificial reef, or the Pensacola Beach pier rubble as a night dive...

 

[ReefHound]

There used to be a nice little dive site a few hundred yards east of the Pensacola pier, straight out a few hundred feet from the building with the showers. Old pier rubble with only a few feet of relief that attracted lots of fish. This site was dived a lot after 2005 when Pickens road was washed out by Ivan but once Pickens re-opened people quit going there. A few years back someone reported it was mostly covered with sand. I haven't heard of anyone who's been there lately.

People often dive the jetties at low tide. Viz won't be as good as high tide but surely much better than the "back bays".

It's a drive but you also have Whiskey Wreck in Gulf Shores that's hit or miss in terms of viz and amount of relief. It's a few hundred feet out in 10-15'.

If you're interested in fresh water there is Vortex and Morrison Springs. Crystal clear viz and 68 degree water.

 

[TMHeimer]

Thanks guys. I may check out Navarre pier and that stuff near Ft. Pickens & Pensacola. I've done both the springs a lot (taking classes), and boats are hard to come by due to weather. But I'm looking into one out of Pensacola. Have done charters from with all 3 shops Destin Area & with Dive Locker in PCB. What you're saying about the back bays sounds like trying to actually shore dive in Mississippi.....

 

[paulwall]

Let me know when it gets closer. I may be able to take a boat with you. I usually dive in January...

 

[TMHeimer]

Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary and Artificial Reef

Two new installations in the bay side, one new one on the Gulf. There's also an artificial reef project a little to the west of these, near the Portifino resort. Another one in Pensacola bay, closer to the entrance of the Ft. Pickens park.


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This one you mention in Pensacola Bay near Ft. Pickens Park--Have you dived there? Where exactly is the shore site? As well, the photos of Navarre Sound: I've been in that parking lot (for the beach at the Navarre Pier)--Is it possible to shore dive the Sound side--what kind of depth? I don't believe it's a long walk from the parking lot if geared up. Thanks for the tips anyway. If you haven't dived these 2 spots, perhaps others have and can advise.

 

[ReefHound]

I haven't dived the sound side but I believe it's right after the last development on the right before you enter the park. There's a big parking lot.

 

[Dave C]

Thanks for letting us that the Navarre artificial reef has finally been set up in the Gulf. I have been wondering about that. It should be a great addition to the Panhandle's diving and snorkeling opportunities. It doesn't take much structure to attract fish in the Gulf. Even the old Crystal Beach pier pilings in Destin, which now consist mostly of a few stubs underwater, still attract some life, especially large stingrays. I still don't understand the utility of a "snorkeling reef" in the Sound. It may create some fish habitat to aid fishermen, but the water is too murky there to ever see anything.

 

[jasonb751]

Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary and Artificial Reef

Two new installations in the bay side, one new one on the Gulf. There's also an artificial reef project a little to the west of these, near the Portifino resort. Another one in Pensacola bay, closer to the entrance of the Ft. Pickens park.


****************


This one you mention in Pensacola Bay near Ft. Pickens Park--Have you dived there? Where exactly is the shore site? As well, the photos of Navarre Sound: I've been in that parking lot (for the beach at the Navarre Pier)--Is it possible to shore dive the Sound side--what kind of depth? I don't believe it's a long walk from the parking lot if geared up. Thanks for the tips anyway. If you haven't dived these 2 spots, perhaps others have and can advise.

The one he is talking about has a nickname of chicken-bone beach, I've dove there twice, and viz has been no more than 1-2 feet each time. The best shore dive on Pensacola Beach that doesn't have tidal currents is the one just east of Portofino. The actual name is called park east, and it is parking lot H. There is a bit of a surface swim, but not too terrible. If you post while you're here, I'll go out with you. It's not too bad of a dive, the sea life has taken to it pretty well.