Snorkeling opportunities in the panhandle

[shortcircuit]

Staying in Shalimar. Looking for snorkeling spots around Ft. Walton Beach, Destin, Choctawatchee Bay, etc. Any website direction with added input, information? Can get their by car and walk to shore entry or boat and anchor from Meigs boat launch in Shalimar (Hobie Island Tandem). Any other equipment needed other than flag, mask, snorkel, fins, net bag?

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

The Destin Jetties will probably be your best bet, its an easy walk with just snorkeling gear.

There are some sites within Choctawhatchee Bay that could be good to snorkel if the tides are right, just be carefull of boat traffic.

 

[Dave C]

I am an avid snorkeler who has done a lot of snorkeling in Destin over the years while on vacation there. Here is a post I wrote for TripAdvisor back in 2005, but the info is still pretty much applicable:
Snorkeling in September? - Destin Forum - TripAdvisor
Cursor down to the long entry for Hawkfish - that's me. One thing I might add is that since all the hurricanes in 2005, the calm and current-free area that you can snorkel behind the "finger jetty" has gotten much smaller. As result, this small area can become quite crowded when snorkel tour boats are there and dump off a bunch of people. If you are more of an advanced snorkeler, to get away from the crowds (and to see a greater diversity of marine life) you can snorkel off the point of the finger jetty and then along the main jetty going into the Gulf. However, this area gets more wave action and also can have tidal currents, especially off the end of the finger jetty. Be sure to go near slack high tide and always be careful of the current. The jetties at St. Andrew State Park in Panama City Beach can also be good for snorkeling, but you have to drive about an hour and half from Destin each way to go there.