Destin Snorkeling Trip Preparations

[noahsan]

Preparations are under way for my Destin Snorkeling Trip. I have done a little research and it seems that August the 27th through the 29th will have the most favorable high tide times, which I have learned, thanks to Scuba Board's helpful and knowledgeable members, is essential for visibility when diving in the Gulf. I have also received my Sealife Mini II underwater camera, so this trip will be the first time I am able to test it out.
I plan on doing some Snuba Diving as well as snorkeling around the Destin Jetties. One place I keep hearing about is the Old Crystal Piers, which I also plan on checking out if I have enough time.

For my lodging, I have chose to stay at the Sandestin Resort, which I must say looks amazingly beautiful, I will have a Beach Side Studio, I'm super psyched about it!

Any last minute suggestions on what to do and check out while there please leave a comment! Noah

 

[GLENFWB]

Tides look pretty good during those dates. Crystal Beach may not have much to see, I have heard there isn't much of the piers left uncovered, but I haven't been there in a long time. You might snorkel under the destin bridge entering from the parking lot on the West side of the bridge. Just drag a dive flag with you and of course dive during slack tide if possible. Current can get ripping through there when the tide is moving in and out. Destin jetties are about the best bet for snorkeling unless you want to go over to Panama City or head to Pensacola one day.

Preparations are under way for my Destin Snorkeling Trip. I have done a little research and it seems that August the 27th through the 29th will have the most favorable high tide times, which I have learned, thanks to Scuba Board's helpful and knowledgeable members, is essential for visibility when diving in the Gulf. I have also received my Sealife Mini II underwater camera, so this trip will be the first time I am able to test it out.
I plan on doing some Snuba Diving as well as snorkeling around the Destin Jetties. One place I keep hearing about is the Old Crystal Piers, which I also plan on checking out if I have enough time.

For my lodging, I have chose to stay at the Sandestin Resort, which I must say looks amazingly beautiful, I will have a Beach Side Studio, I'm super psyched about it!

Any last minute suggestions on what to do and check out while there please leave a comment! Noah

View attachment 101583View attachment 101584

 

[ReefHound]

Keep an eye on TS Irene. Many path projections have her spinning over the panhandle late next week.

 

[noahsan]

Thanks guys! Just got back, Irene took a turn and wasn't an issue at all (Thankfully!) and I had a blast! Visibility was about 40' and hardly any current at all! I posted a trip report with some pictures, please check them out! Noah

Trip Report
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/de...ba-trip-report-aug-28-2011-a.html#post6028269

 

[mike_s]

Crystal Beach may not have much to see, I have heard there isn't much of the piers left uncovered, but I haven't been there in a long time. .

There's a little left of Crystal Beach pier pilings sticking up from the sand.

It was decently deep 5+ years ago, but shifting sands reduced it to 8-10ft deep max since.....



then, The Beach Restoration they did a few years ago really reduced the depth though. It's still a good place to go on a calm day. really shallow. but you can find little critters making homes in what's left of the pilings.