Destin Diving Nov 18, 'Operation Octopus Photo'

[Bladebreaker65]

Thanks for sharing the great photos! This is within weekend reach for me. I found the causeway on google earth. there is a boat ramp on the south end. Would love more info on some sights in the area that would be shore dive or small boat (18ft cc) access. possibly arrange a bottle of rum tour.

 

[flyingDiver75]

Dives for a 18' boat are tough for this area unless you're fairly comfortable with taking it offshore - most of the best diving is 2 or miles out. Doable if very calm but that's not the norm in the winter. Lots of pretty surface scenery in the sound and bays to explore though. Navarre beach is one of the better / easier shore dives.

There are a couple of inshore areas near Destin Pass - closest public boat ramps are Joe's Bayou in Destin and Marler Park on Okaloosa Island.

Bay FADS - 30° 24.7' N, 86° 30.680' W
- 12 plastic resin cones in 25' of water. Visibility can be poor. Used mostly for open water practice when offshore or the Jetties aren't available

Destin East Jetties - 30° 23.100'N, 86° 30.413'W
- anchor near the lat/lon above
- best visibility and least current at high tide, currents can be strong other times
- very active boat channel to the west so use a dive flag at all times and try to avoid surfacing in the channel
- bottoms out in the mid-40's to low 50' at the center of the channel
- can be done as a shore dive -- have to walk in from one of the public beach access points

 

[Bladebreaker65]

Dives for a 18' boat are tough for this area unless you're fairly comfortable with taking it offshore - most of the best diving is 2 or miles out. Doable if very calm but that's not the norm in the winter. Lots of pretty surface scenery in the sound and bays to explore though. Navarre beach is one of the better / easier shore dives.

Thanks
Looking for some options for all year not just winter. when do you see the best conditions for the 2 mile runs? Planning to go down to the Keys in August. all we have is lake muck dive here local. offshore is 25 miles plus on a good day and those stars don't align very often. (no I do not take the 18 more than a couple of miles if weather is perfect)
Again thanks for the info.