Good dive sites near Seaside?

[BlueGirlGoes]

Hello,

I'm vacationing July 5-12 at Seaside, which is on 30-A near Destin. I did my checkout dives with ScubaTech years ago and have dove with them a few times, but seem to go to the same sites.

Any recommendations for the area? Someone said there had been hammerhead sightings recently?!? Coolness. I'll be with boyfriend, and our last trip (his first dive trip) was Sipadan-Kapalai-Mabul. I don't want him to be bored!

Many thanks.

 

[PatMyGreen]

Seaside isn't too far away from Panama City if you have hit all the popular spots in Destin. Just FYI.

 

[mike_s]

Hello,

I'm vacationing July 5-12 at Seaside, which is on 30-A near Destin. I did my checkout dives with ScubaTech years ago and have dove with them a few times, but seem to go to the same sites.

Any recommendations for the area? Someone said there had been hammerhead sightings recently?!? Coolness. I'll be with boyfriend, and our last trip (his first dive trip) was Sipadan-Kapalai-Mabul. I don't want him to be bored!

Many thanks.

Like Pat said,,, hit Panama City and Destin. From Seaside they are both about a 30 minute to 1 hour drive depending on traffic on 30A. In mid July traffic on 30A is very slow. Find a cross road to Hwy 98 and get off the beach road if you're heading to PCB or Destin.

If you've dove the "same sites" that ScubaTech goes to, then try Panama City. Most of the dive sites there are sunk wrecks or bridge spans. Most of the boats in PCB go to the same sites often also, but at least they'll be new for you.

You can get on offshore charters also that go to different spots. just check around with the shops several days in advance and see what type trips they have.


PatmyGreen that posted above runs a charter operation also (independent from shop). Give him a try as if you get off the larger boats you have more likelyness of going to sites that aren't done by the big boats.

 

[Dark Eternal]

Also there are the springs just north of town. Vortex is less than an hour away from there and would make a good dive. Also the destin or st andrews jetties. Ill actually be in town that week doing several dives, let me know when your going to be diving, we might be as well the same day.

 

[recoiljunky]

No offense to those who enjoy Vortex, but it's the most borning dive I've ever done.

Last year while staying at Seaside I drove down to the Panama City Jetties to meet up with some friends and dive. It's a pleasant drive. Be prepared to haul your gear a long distance over the sugar sand to get to the water though.

 

[mike_s]

Vortex is what you make of it. Going with a bunch of friends and using it as a 'base' to dive other site and having fun is what makes Vortex. When it's crowded, it's definately not as much fun.

As for PCB Jetties, the walk over the sand there is short compared to the walk at Destin Jetties in the sand.

 

[Dark Eternal]

Depends if your caver or cave certified. The cave is reasonably nice and the cavern alot of fun. The cavern is about as open water friendly as they come, not condoning it, but just saying its a good starting place for those who are interested in starting to cavern dive.

 

[BlueGirlGoes]

Thanks for the suggestions! DarkEternal, I will keep you posted on our dates.

We may wind up doing the ScubaTech boat trip, it will be new to The Boy and, realistically, after Borneo he may not be too wowed anyway. I am a wimp and do NOT haul gear.