lil help? Destin, FL

[gettinbent]

A few friends and I are coming to Destin, FL for some diving and I was hoping to get a few tips on where to go, water conditions, etc...

We'll be taking either a 24" center console, or a 31" walk around, so not really looking for any beach dives. Where is the smartest place to put the boat in?

I was reading about the jetties...what are they like? Also, how are the underwater airplanes/barges? Could anyone provide any coords for any kind of neat sites? We are environmentally friendly and mind the reef **edit: if there is any reef

Thanks for any help!
<3

 

[kchFLA]

When are you going to be here? I don't have answers to all your questions but I can get them and I'm sure others will chime in.

I've been to the Thomas Hayward which is about 7-8 miles sw of the East Pass (Destin Jetties). First time there I saw some sharks (bull sharks I think). I was there this past weekend and only saw a couple of small sharks and they zipped by before I really got a good look to see what they were. Temps were in the 80's.

Our second dive was at a location called the Air Force Barge. Can't remember the depth but shallower than the Hayward. Saw parts of a Goliath grouper.

There are some army tanks that have been sunk called the Destin Fish Tanks.

As for the Jetties do a search in the main Florida Conch forum. You'll find trip reports by Seayoda and Suprbugman that will have pictures and plenty of information on the particulars.

The Jetties can be crowded with snorklers and classes, however, once you get under the snorklers and deeper than the classes there is room to move. I found a six inch sand dollar (intact) when I was there the last time.

And if you want to take a side trip for some freshwater springs Morrison is not far. That would probably be better for a weekday as it gets very busy on the weekends with classes and locals.

 

[mike_s]

Well you've got a few choices in Destin. There are two dive shops there. Scubatech http://www.scubatechnwfl.com and Emerald Coast scuba (http://www.divedestin.com). You can get fills, etc from them.

The jetties are a great dive. If you've got a boat, that's the best way to get there. simply navigate the boat over to the finger on the east side and throw out an anchor (or two to reduce anchor swing in the crowd). and hop out and dive. best time to dive it is at high tide. depths to 54-57 feet. vis is good. You'll want a dive flag floating in the water there.

as for all the "off the beach" sites, pick up a copy of Ned Deloaches Underwater Guide to Florida. About $15 bucks. It has info on every diveable object there including GPS coordinates.

boat ramps? how about Joe's Bayou Boat Launch
Location: 800 Beach Drive

http://www.cityofdestin.com/index.php?src=gendocs&link=Parksandsportsfields&category=City Council

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=....405452,-86.494374&spn=0.024207,0.047035&om=1


have fun

 

[gettinbent]

Awesome guys, thanks for the info and quick responses. Glad to see that I'm not the only one trolling the forums while they are supposed to be working. :sunny

We'll be in Destin from the 27th-31st. Some shelling sounds like it could be fun. That dive book sounds like a good investment as well. Thanks so much for the boat landing info...that is sooo helpful.

 

[mike_s]

FYI... $10 bucks to launch there, but since gas is $3/gallon, it's close to the inlet and will reduce your run out.

Like KCHFLA said, check out the FL Conch forum (northern forum) and you'll find folks doing jetty dives. You can hook with them for a "guided tour". They'll most likely be "walking' to the dive site, but you could always meet them there in your boat. it's worth the $10 bucks launch fee for this also BTW... it's a long walk and parking sucks there.

Here's the book you want.
Diving Guide to Underwater Florida, 11th Edition
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1878348396

 

[gettinbent]

Thanks for the link there...I went ahead and ordered it. Thanks again for all the help

 

[Knight1989]

Every body complains about the walk to the Jetties, its not that bad, wimps. Although, a boat is way better. It can get preatty crowded with bots on the jetties over the weekends, try to park as close to the rocky end of the beach as you can. Honestly though, the jetties is cool, but only because its easy and free. If you have a boat, I'd hit the wrecks. If you want a quick dive thats not way off shore, the baycones are supposedly a good dive. Never done it since you need a boat, but its in the bay so much shorter trip.