Navarre Beach's New Reef

[Alindquist]

So my buddy and I went out to check out the new reef about 2 weeks ago (soundside). Vis was terrible, seriously, I couldn't see more than 2-3 feet. Is there a time when we should be diving this? Does the tide make a difference? I remember we went over to that beach 2 years ago to do some training and the vis was just as bad. I hope someone did there home work on this cause if it's always that bad I think they just wasted a bunch of money. Any insight would be appreciated.
thanks,
Aaron

 

[ReefHound]

I think there's another one gulf side, too. Not sure if it's completed yet. Viz is always going to be bad in the channel. Not sure if high tide can even help...

 

[airstream]

The Sound side reefs will only have visibility in late fall, winter and early spring. The logic behind this reef deployment baffles me. I can only imagine it was a strategic placement to hinder a reopening of the Navarre Pass, which is what I believe to be the only true way to improve the water quality in the Santa Rosa Sound.

 

[Tessunderwater]

I think there's another one gulf side, too. Not sure if it's completed yet. Viz is always going to be bad in the channel. Not sure if high tide can even help...

Is that the newest reef and what is the best way to access it?

 

[ReefHound]

I don't know the status of the gulf side reef. Latest word was in this thread where the purchase of the reef materials had been approved. It's my understanding the actual installation would only take a day or two and I'd be surprised if the contractor didn't have both of them scheduled at once to minimize their costs.

 

[airstream]

The sound side reefs are complete. THe Gulf side structures are not in place. The reefs are less than .25 miles apart straight line, they are about 50 miles apart by vessel. By boat you have to head West out Pensacola Pass or East of of Destin Pass. then all the way back to Navarre Beach. You access the Sound Side Reefs by boat or directly off of the Marine Science Center on Navarre Beach....

 

[Alindquist]

We never walked over to see if the Gulf Side was in or not... We did swim over to the soundside pylons, wasn't too bad but it was a few 100 yard swim (for nothing mind you). Guess we'll wait and see if it clears up in the fall. We took my boat out at one point this last winter and the water was crystal clear (I always launch over at Juana's), but that is only time I have ever seen it like that in the sound.
Thanks,
Aaron