Dive shops/charters

[gotothebeachmom]

Anyone know of a good charter for scuba diving that is reasonable driving distance from the 30-A area?

[Miss Kitty]

Anyone know of a good charter for scuba diving that is reasonable driving distance from the 30-A area?

:shock: ....diving?

[gotothebeachmom]

:shock: ....diving?

Yes, you and Mermaid have inspired me! :funn:My SIL is coming down in May and wants to do at least one dive while he's there.

[Miss Kitty]

Yes, you and Mermaid have inspired me! :funn:My SIL is coming down in May and wants to do at least one dive while he's there.

:lolabove: ...I prefer diving in Western Lake!!!! I could be his guide!

[Beachlover2]

It has been a few years - but we went with Hydrospace in Panama City - they seemed to be very detailed and the equipment was up to date at the time (we have our own equipment - but it is always a good sign about the operation if they have good stuff in the rental program). Haven't gone diving down there in a while - just too busy working on the condos - plus I am not a huge fan of wreck diving.

[gotothebeachmom]

It has been a few years - but we went with Hydrospace in Panama City - they seemed to be very detailed and the equipment was up to date at the time (we have our own equipment - but it is always a good sign about the operation if they have good stuff in the rental program). Haven't gone diving down there in a while - just too busy working on the condos - plus I am not a huge fan of wreck diving.

Thanks. He has his own equipment, as well. It's just been awhile since he's been. I'll pass this along to him. Thanks!

[gotothebeachmom]

:lolabove: ...I prefer diving in Western Lake!!!! I could be his guide!

I'll let him know! :eek: Keep in mind, we'll want him back in one piece! :rolling:

[soappedaler]

The best and cheapest dive in the area is the St. Andrews Park Jetty. The west side is the best. You park at the last Beach parking lot and walk down to the kiddie pool area. Cross the kiddie pool then go over the rocks. There's several ways to dive the jetty. Start at the shallow end, there's gaps in the rocks that you can swin through, go to the bottom, aproximatley 15 feet to begin with, swim south, you'll end up at 50-65 feet. You can surface and cross the rocks back into the kiddie pool. Again there's a gap that divers use to cross. Other option is to start shallow and swin south turn around and swim back. My husband likes to hug the bottom but I swim 5-6 feet off the bottom cause you see more in the rocks. If you're unsure of where to turn around start deep and swim north to the shallow end. If you're there on a weekend, particularly Sunday, you'll see where the divers enter and exit. Only crazy people swim around the tip.

You want to time your dive with the incoming tide. Either find it on the internet or ask at Panama City Dive Center. They are located just before you enter the park on Thomas Drive. They will tell you about diving the jetty and rent tanks, probably have a web site. I know they have dive masters that will escort you if you're unsure the first time.
There's coral and other interesting things growing on the rocks. We've seen al sorts of tropicals, spade fish, baracuda, shark, jew fish, eagle rays, flounder and if you look in the rocks, octapus and stone crabs.

No spearfishing but if you have a fishing liscense you can harvest stone crab claws, The season is open till Mid May.

[yippie]

There are a couple in Destin if you are interested.

Scubatech www.scubatechnwfl.com
Emerald Coast Scuba

[DuneDog]

[QUOTE=soappedaler]
There's coral and other interesting things growing on the rocks. We've seen al sorts of tropicals, spade fish, baracuda, shark, jew fish, eagle rays, flounder and if you look in the rocks, octapus and stone crabs.
[NO QUOTE]

In order to be politically correct one of these has been officially renamed and now called a goliath grouper. ;-)

[gotothebeachmom]

Thanks everyone! I will pass the info along to my Son-in-Law.

[aquaticbiology]

If you're there on a weekend, particularly Sunday, you'll see where the divers enter and exit. Only crazy people swim around the tip.

if you haven't been in a while its a really super great place to dive, plenty of stuff to see and plenty of knowledgeable folks around, but watch out for rusty fishhooks - i have uw video of it pre-opal that is just gorgeous - and yes, it includes the huge giant octopi (and a whole bunch of sharks) that live in the rip tide at the tip

also there are the dive boats that go out to the reefs

check the dive shop in destin for a group that's going out - cheaper, safer and more fun

"always dive with a buddy and know your limitations dumbass"