One of the premier reef dives is Warsaw Reef. It’s a natural hole with concrete rubble and tire bundles. The fish love it and regularly travel between the hole and nearby wrecks like the Black Bart.
You can download our free dive resources and other useful information to help you feel more comfortable before you take your first plunge. Explore some of our favourite dive spots and learn more about historical landmarks only found underwater.
Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association and Florida Wildlife Commission compiled a report on the effects of human activity on reefs. The report found that the Varmar Reef, located near Mexico Beach, experienced the most impact as it was in 25 feet of seawater. There were only 35% remaining of the original reef materials. The artificial reefs that were in deep and moderate waters remained unscathed. Below is a graphic that was taken from that report and shows how the hurricane traveled through Panama City Beach's wrecks and reefs.
Scuba diving is a great way to make your vacation memorable in Panama City Beach. Under the turquoise waters lies a second universe, a paradise like no other. The region is home to many historical shipwrecks and sea turtles as well as goliath grouper, bottlenose dolphins and other marine life.
Have you ever tried diving? No problem. Panama City Beach, for both you and your feet, is the ideal place to get wet. Our dive shops are perfect for getting you certified and ready to go to the bubbly deep. Scuba Dive Panama City Beach has the expertise to help you begin your new, aquatic lifestyle. This is an all-in-one shop that offers diving training, equipment rental, repairs, and maintenance.
The visibility is between 30'-50ft. Water temperatures range from 60s to 80s in summer and winter. It is a good idea to bring gloves for the sharp edges of the wrecks as well as a diving knife to cut through fishing line.
A Navy minesweeper tender, measuring 184' in length with a 33" beam, was sinking as a dive rescue training site in 1987. Storms destroyed the bow, and it was found on the port side. The boat rests intact and is upright, rising 20ft above the water.
Never hold your breath
As every good entry-level dive student knows, this is the most important rule of scuba. And for good reason — breath holding underwater can result in serious injury and even death. In accordance with Boyle's law, the air in a diver's lungs expands during ascent and contracts during descent.
As you become a qualified scuba diver, you learn the basics of an essential scuba system. A cylinder, weights, an exposure suit, regulators, BCD gauge and timing device, mask and fins are the bare essentials.