Top 10 Dive Spots for Divers on Panama City Beach

If you are reading this article it’s likely that you already know Panama City Beach is considered the “Wreck Capitol of the South,” second only to the Florida Key’s as Florida most popular dive destination. And it’s not just hype; there are over 50 artificial reef diver’s can plunge to see, fifteen 35-foot-high bridge spans, each one 160 feet long and, just inland, there are several spectacular springs where the water is as clear as drinking water and the spring diving is world class. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 spots for Panama City Beach divers to see and re-discover.

10. Morrison Springs Cave - “Morrison Springs is in a beautiful, cypress swamp setting. The water temperature is about 67 degrees and very blue and clear, with excellent visibility except in times of high water.  There is a dive platform halfway across the 250’ diameter pool that is about 25 feet deep. Scuba divers can be seen congregating here before they enter the cave. The large entrance has a large cypress log across it. The log is at a depth of 25-30 feet, and the cave entrance is another 60 feet further down. According to accounts, the cave extends over 300 feet deep.”

9. Grey Ghost – 105 Feet Dive – “The Grey Ghost lies over 20 miles from the St. Andrews jetties and is more popular with fishermen than with dive charter boats. However, since the Panama City Marine Institute’s Artificial Reef Program deployed the wreck on the edge of a natural limestone reef, it has a large amount of marine life and is a favorite spot for underwater photographers.  The Grey Ghost was 105 feet in length with a 20-foot beam.  The steel hull and superstructure are mostly intact. The engine has fallen through the rear cabin area and now lies next to the hull. The wheelhouse is a great spot for photography. The tug lies on its port side in 108 feet of water. Because of its popularity with fishermen, there is lots of monofilament. Divers must have a knife and proceed cautiously. Visibility is 20-50 feet.

8. BJ Putnam - 65 Feet Dive – B. J. Putnam, a 180-ft supply vessel sitting at 105 feet. The supply boat had been converted for use as a processing platform. It was sunk in 1993. It holds a large variety of marine life, and is a good fishing and diving site for advanced divers. Loran C coordinates: 13991.6, 46909.1.<

5. Dupont Bridge 97 Feet Dive - sunk October 30,2008 next to a pile of pipe and the fish are already migrating to the bridge span and it should make a nice fishing reef. Coordinates are: 29’58.902°N 85’51.128°W

7. Blue Top Tug (Red Sea) sunk June 24, 2009 5½miles from the St. Andrews jetties the bottom is 73 feet deep with the top at 37 feet coordinates are: N3000.958 W85 42.003

6. Black Bart – 65 Feet Dive – Black Bart, a 185-foot oil field supply ship sits upright in about 75 feet of water. Her bow points due south. The bridge can be reached at 40 feet and the main deck is at 66 feet. The cargo holds are open for exploration. Divers can also explore the head (complete with toilets) and the galley which still has several appliances. The Black Bart is a popular spot for wreck training and for photography. . sits 6.75 nautical miles from the pass in 75 feet of water. The Black Bart is fully intact. There is an abundance of fish in and around the ship. Turtles have been spotted at times, along with catfish, flounder and grouper. The bottom is a bit silty; visibility is generally 20-25 feet at the main deck. Be sure to bring a dive light. One Halloween, a prankster chained a skeleton, complete with mask and snorkel, to the wheelhouse. No word on whether the skeleton is still there. Loran C coordinates: 14030.1, 46972.

4. Chippewa/SS Tarpon (TIE) – The remains of Tarpon lie on a sand and live-rock bottom at a depth of 95 feet of water, 7.8 nautical miles from shore at 30°05.702′N, 85° 56.555′W. The sunken ship is situated almost parallel to the shoreline; her bow is on a bearing of 290°. The hard bottom terrain has prevented the wreck from sinking into the sand. Water clarity generally is good at the wreck site.

The Chippewa was built by the Charleston Shipbuilding Company and commissioned by the United States Navy in February of 1943. The 205-foot tug served in the Caribbean with Trinidad as her home port. In 1989 the tug was assigned to the Navy’s Experimental Dive Unit for salvage and ordnance training. The wreck is upright and in beautiful condition. Most ships’ decks are stripped before deployment, but the Chippewa has all it’s deck equipment intact. There are davits, wenches, levers, stairs and companionways to explore, so be sure to bring a light. The large, open cabin is reached at 50 feet and the main deck at 70 feet. The broken mast lies on the port side. The Chippewa is one of the largest ships deployed by the Bay County Artificial Reef Program and a dive spot that should not be missed.

3. USS Strength - USS Strength, a Naval mine sweeper. It’s 184 feet long with a 33-foot beam. It’s located 5.75 miles from the St. Andrews Pass in 75 feet of water. Decommissioned and used as a Navy dive salvage training site. The bow is broken and laid over the port side. The back three quarters is intact and sits on its keel. The highest superstructure is 55 feet. Loran coordinates: 14076.8, 46943.9.

2. Empire Mica – 90 feet dive – By far the most popular and famous wreck off  the beach. The Mica, 465-foot, located about 23 miles out of Indian Pass was on her maiden voyage carrying petroleum distillate. During the midst of a storm, unable to go to port because of her size, the Mica threw anchor to wait it out. On that night, June 3, 1942, a German submarine had her in her sights and soon two torpedoes smashed through her holds. The Empire Mica now lies in 110 feet with a profile of 35 feet on the main section. This section, which is rapidly disintegrating, no longer supports the 18-foot spare propeller. The massive boilers lie astern and the bow and aft end are completely collapsed. A huge jewfish has taken residency and the larger grouper, snapper, and other game fish disappear at the site of a diver because they believe us all to be speargun toters. Manta rays, eagle rays, big barracuda, jacks and tuna frequent the wreck. If you spend the time and look closely, you will see octopi hiding everywhere and blennies guarding their domains. We visit this site frequently and find it to be one of favorite advanced dive. Our charter spends all day at the site and usually includes three dives, conditions permitting. Loran Coordinates: 14023.4, 46489.6

1. Accokeek - Accokeek, a 195-foot Navy tug boat located 12 nautical miles from the pass in 100 feet of water. The wheelhouse is at 65 feet. The vessel is fully intact and is sitting on its keel. Very beautiful dive, with abundant marine and coral life. Loran C coordinates: 13888.7, 46935.0
Rather than tell you how awesome this dive actually is, here is a video from the Dive Locker’s Tony Snow

Special thanks to:

Lord’s Gym Dive Center
1616 Allison Avenue
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
(850) 249-9079

The Dive Locker
106 Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
(850)-230-8006