Diving Pensacola: What to expect

[bbarnett51]

Ill be diving in Pensacola next week. Right Niue I have a charter booked with Viking and Errol be booking another with Dr Dive. The Viking is an inshore trip with the destinations yet to be determined.

I watched some videos on YouTube and it looks like the vis varies greatly. Some of it looked like the lake I dive in and some looked pretty decent.

What sort of vis should I expect?

I usually wear a 3mm Shorty should I go to my 3mm full?

What sort of current etc...

I appreciate your help and look forward to diving the gulf!

 

[Captain Bil]

I dive in Panama City, a little east of Pensacola, but our conditions are similar. This past weekend I experienced viz at about 50', temp at 83° in 70' fsw. That was at the Jetties. Viz along the gulf coast can vary greatly and can be ride and rain dependent. Expect 20-50 on average, but I've seen it both far better and far worse.

I was comfortable in a 1 mil wet suit.

Hope that helps a little.


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[Captain Bil]

Edit previous: tide dependent.

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[Hetland]

current varies by day, and can vary by trip (none on first dive, screaming on next). GENERALLY we've had mild currents this year, but YMMV. Viz is much the same, and GENERALLY we've had good to great viz this year.

I'm comfortable in a swimsuit this time of year, but I choose to wear a full 2/3 or 3mm full suit, and often a hood. I've found that I have more energy at the end of the day if I'm wearing a full suit and hood. You can't fight physics. Even warm water will cause your body to work overtime keeping your core temp stable. It's also nice when the jellies show up, which can be at any time, and is just as variable as the viz and the currents.

 

[OldNSalty]

You'll have a good time. Those are both good charters and Hetland is correct. You don't need a wetsuit but you will not over heat in a thin one either.

 

[paulwall]

Make sure you bring sunscreen and a hat, especially with Dr. Dive. That sun can bake you very quickly on the surface.

 

[diver 85]

What to expect???..IMO, a lot of mundane diving.......but, it'll beat sitting home watching TV......

 

[Teller]

Tell Tim to take you to the Russian Frieght Ship and Three Barges if your doing a inshore trip. Offshore I would go to the Oriskany. 3mm is good this time of year. Expect to see sharks.

 

[Vicksburg Diver]

I love diving in P'cola and we were down last weekend and had 60-70 ft viz. So many great wrecks to dive but the Avocett dredge is my favorite!! I wear a 3/2 mill and its fine.

 

[bbarnett51]

I live to see sharks but rarely do. I was diving in Kauai two weeks ago and found some white tip reef sharks. It was very forgettable for most on the trip but it made my vacation.

I'm just fascinated by them.