Kayak diving on the panhandle

[OldNSalty]

I was wondering if anyone has found that a Kayak is useful for diving in the panhandle. I think most shore dives are an easy swim but I was thinking that maybe they would be easier with a Kayak or maybe there would be a few more sites open up to me if I had some limitd transportation.

So how about it-useful or just an expensive toy for this area?

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Definately usefull for some of the freshwater stuff.

I've heard of people kayaking out of Destin to the Miss Louise, I'd imagine the Mass would be an easy hit as well.

 

[wjefferis]

You could also use it for some of the shore diving locations such as the Pensacola Pier Rubble or the Whiskey Wreck, although most just swim out to these sites. You could use a bottom finder on it to make sure you were on the site if you were unfamiliar with a particular dive site or use a bottom finder to find new or mostly undived locations. I have a kayak have have been pondering using it for diving. I think having a bottom finder on it would rock. I am also thinking of using it this summer to paddle over from ft Pickens over to Ft Mcrea to dive the steel and rock jetties over there.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I have seen kayaks used effectively for diving fresh water springs, but it doesn't look like you're cavern trained, so I don't think that will help you out much. Other than the salty places already mentioned, I don't know of any other kayak friendly locations around here.

 

[mike_s]

Definately usefull for some of the freshwater stuff.

I've heard of people kayaking out of Destin to the Miss Louise, I'd imagine the Mass would be an easy hit as well.

I was going to suggest the Miss Louise also. It's a half mile off the crystal beach pier beach access and I've seen people going out to it to fish it or free dive it before.

You'd still most likely need a GPS to find it. (or go when the Sea Cobra from Scubatech is there and tie up on the end of it. (I've seen that several times))


the Massachutte's might be a decent idea. but trying to paddle in during an outgoing tide might be a bit of a bitch.



to the original poster...send [user]Nemrod[/user] a PM. he brings his kayak down to destin sometimes. I think he's done the Miss Louise and also paddles the hwy 98 bridge and to the jetties from the west side of East Pass (Destin).

 

[OldNSalty]

I am sure Nemrod could teach me a thing or 5.