Yet another artificial reef deployed off Destin

[aue-mike]

Check out Destin's newest artificial reef, the 105-foot offshore supply vessel SKIPPIN' SUE, which was sunk yesterday, June 2, 2025. She now rests on her port side in 77 feet of water approximately 8 miles offshore Destin Pass.

 

[chaad]

Destin's artificial reef program is so prolific. They have to be sinking more boats per year than any other municipality in the USA, let alone the plans for the SS United States still underway.

 

[HamTrainChickenLaser]

How is visibility there?

 

[chaad]

How is visibility there?

Highly variable, but 40-50 feet is pretty common in my experience.

 

[MrChen]

Highly variable, but 40-50 feet is pretty common in my experience.

How far out?

 

[chaad]

How far out?

Everything is pretty far out. I think that's the biggest downside of Gulf diving...long boat rides. The wrecks range from 10 to 20 miles offshore.

 

[tekkydiver]

Destin's artificial reef program is so prolific. They have to be sinking more boats per year than any other municipality in the USA, let alone the plans for the SS United States still underway.

I don't believe they have a reef system as on the Southeast coast of Florida

 

[chaad]

I don't believe they have a reef system as on the Southeast coast of Florida

You're correct. Without artificial reefs, we'd be diving a featureless sandy bottom, save for some limestone formations.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Everything is pretty far out. I think that's the biggest downside of Gulf diving...long boat rides. The wrecks range from 10 to 20 miles offshore.

This is the same issue from Pensacola to Naples/Marco Island ... all the worthwhile diveable sites are a LONG ride out. It's also why storm surge can be such a monster issue for us in a hurricane. Beautiful coastline and beaches, but very shallow very far out.

 

[T.K.]

They really have a strong program and it’s only getting better.