Dive Report: Navarre Beach Pier 01 Feb 09

[MRXRAY]

Well, We finally got a nice afternoon so I made a break to Navarre Beach to meet up with a new Friend Alex from the Dive Club (Non-SB member). We met up at 12:30 and finally hit the water at about 14:00. Dove for only 16 minutes. The viz was great but I saw only 1 small school of white fish (?), 1 puffer fish and 1 Octopus. Nothing else at all! Alex had to call the dive so we made it an early exit. I have to tell you that I did swim the whole thing and the rubble has covered up even more! There is only a few feet exposed of several of the areas and all the debris and most of the pilings that were laying flat are completely covered up except one. It's not looking good! No pics this time as I was hoping for a free meal....But no luck!

 

[BellaBeachGirl]

Thanks for the report. It's too bad... not going to get any better down there?

 

[Hetland]

It will (likely) uncover in a big storm/tropical storm/hurricane.

This may actually be good for us. It's doubtful, but possible that when they destroy the current pier, they will miss the rubble that's already buried..... meaning we'll have a dive spot remaining after the new pier is built.

In any event, once Ft. Pickens reopens we'll have a nice spot to make up for the one we've lost (though it is dependent on tides)

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

You can get away with diving Pickens between tides, its not as trecherous as some of the pass dives get. Course, high slack for absolute optimal conditions.

The sands shift regularly, even without big storms. Storms tend to really speed up the progress though

 

[MRXRAY]

There is so much beach erosion right now at Navarre Beach that one of the life guard towers are now in the water at high tide! Think back to summer and that thing was 50 yards from the water! Crazy huh?

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Thats probably more just the surf and tides righting man-made blunders. The state keeps "renourishing" the beaches and adding sand to lengthen them... The issue is that beach erosion on a barrier island is completely natural.

The life guard stand would have probably been in the water a long time ago before the last 'renourishment'.

Such a waste of money.

 

[denisegg]

That sure is a fun spot to dive. I'm sure we'll have some more good ones there.