Ever dreamed of exploring the depths of the ocean? How about the chance to climb through a submarine? Or perhaps you have wondered how divers could live underwater for weeks at a time? Man in the Sea Museum takes you on an exciting and educational journey through the history of deep sea voyaging and beyond. Owned by the Institute of Diving, this small non-profit museum is located on Panama City Beach Parkway, west of highway 79 in Panama City Beach and just minutes from Pier Park. After driving past the museum countless times and making a mental note to visit each and every single time I did, I decided it was time to check it out and see what the Man in the Sea Museum was all about!
Man in the Sea is actually an extremely family friendly attraction that offers both adults and kids a unique museum experience. The main objective of the museum is to explore man’s attempts to travel and work underwater and uncover the mysteries of the ocean. It illustrates this by providing an opportunity to get acquainted with the roots of diving through a variety of fascinating exhibits, submarines, a large collection of rare diving equipment, and videos and aquariums explaining the sea life found in St. Andrews Bay. Anyone who has an interest in the world of diving or underwater adventure, and even those who don’t – will be amazed by this aquatic treasure chest.
The original idea for establishing the institute and its museum was conceived in 1976 by a group of divers from the U.S. Navy’s SEALAB Program and representatives from commercial, academic, scientific, medical, and sport diving fields. The museum itself was actually founded in 1982, and has recently undergone a renovation that will help make the museum one of Bay County’s top visitor attractions. A perfect choice for a rainy day on the beach, Man in the Sea Museum can be easily combined with a nearby Pier Park shopping excursion.
The Man in the Sea Museum brings you treasures recovered from sunken ships dating from 1500, along with more recent commercial and naval equipment, vehicles, and habitats. Both kids and adults can climb through a submarine and other exhibits including the SEALAB-1, the world’s first working undersea habitat. In July of 1964, four divers were scheduled to go down and live in SEALAB-1 for a total of three weeks, but had to abandon the mission after just 11 days due to a hurricane. The divers wanted to show that with this brand new underwater habitat, it was scientifically possible for man to live underwater. The museum hopes to bring SEALAB-1 back to its former glory complete with comfortable living quarters at some point in the future. Donations and admission fees will help make this vision a reality, in addition to further renovation for future generations to enjoy.
Despite generations of exploration, we still have much to learn about the mysteries of the ocean. The answers to many of our questions still lie beneath the sea, waiting to be discovered. Of course we have already made significant progress and will continue to do so with new technologies, but the stories and discoveries from the past put us in touch with the ocean in a way that can never be replicated. The Man in the Sea Museum is dedicated to preserving those memories and the artifacts that bring them to life.
The Museum of the Man in the Sea is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and is closed on Mondays.
Admission is $5.00 for adults, and $2.50 for children aged 6-16 yrs. Children under 5 are free, and seniors and groups receive a 10% discount.
Located at 17314 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach.
Phone: (850) 235 4101
Website: www.maninthesea.org
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