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Florida's Emerald Coast: Diving in the Gulf of Mexico

The Emerald Coast offers some of the finest diving in the State with numerous natural and artificial reefs and wrecks. The following sites are just a few of the dive locations from Panama City to Pensacola. Local SCUBA shops offer excursions weekly.

Destin Jetties Tides - The Destin Jetties is a popular beach dive with depths to 45'. You can go by boat or walk about 3/8-mile from the parking lot. From US 98 in Destin, turn south on Gulf Shores Drive and follow it about 3 miles to where there is parallel parking on the right. Beach access is just across the street. Be sure to start your dive at high slack tide (one hour before high tide) for best visibility and minimal current.
St Andrews Jetties (Panama City Beach) Tides - St Andrews Jetties is another great beach dive with depths to 65' and is located in Panama City Beach at the state park.
Destin Dive Sites
Artificial Reefs
Emerald Coast Reef Association
Pensacola Dive Sites
Florida Diving and Wrecks

Dive Planning

NOAA Marine Forecast
Florida Gulf Tides
Destin Weather
Sea Surface Temps

Spring Diving

Florida offers hundreds of springs for Open Water, Cavern and Cave Divers. Some of these springs are ideal for Open Water divers while others require advanced training. Please seek appropriate training if you wish to venture into the caverns and caves.

Vortex Spring (pix/video) - This is a commercially operated dive site which is great for training and refreshers. It also offers cavern and cave training opportunities. It is located about 4 miles north of Ponce de Leon on Hwy. 81.
Morrison Springs (pix/video) - This is a beautiful spring for Open Water and Cavern divers. The area is now owned by the State and just completed extensive renovations. From I-10 in Ponce de Leon, travel about 4 miles south on Hwy 81, then turn left (east) a few miles on Hwy. 181, then follow the Morrison Springs Road on the right to the spring.
Caryville Guage Station - Note: If the river level at the Caryville gauge station is at 7 feet and rising, Morrison, Cypress and surrounding springs are likely flooded. If the river is at 6 feet and dropping, it will probably be clear. This is only a rule-of-thumb. Vortex will usually remain clear due to the long spring run.
Cypress Springs & Magnolia Springs (pix/video)- These are beautiful springs in a natural setting. Cypress requires a ž-mile paddle upstream along the Holmes Creek from a county boat ramp off Hwy. 277, a few miles north of Vernon. Cypress has a cavern for those trained although the open water environment can be enjoyed by all divers and snorkelers. Magnolia is just downstream from the boat ramp on the west side of the creek and offers a good dive if the Holmes Creek is relatively low.
Florida Springs Blog

Other Springs (pix/video)

Underwater Florida
Florida Springs Homepage
Springs of Florida
Florida Springs Database
Complete Florida Springs Map and Guide

Cave Diving

Tampa Diving: Florida Cave & Cavern Systems
Florida Caves
National Association for Cave Diving
National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section
Professional Scuba Association International

Local Dive Shops & Instruction

Beach City Scuba
Discovery Dive World
Diver's Emporium
Emerald Coast Scuba
Scuba Tech
Vortex Spring
Cave Adventurers

Local Dive Clubs

Scubaholics (Page currently down, check back soon)
Eglin Dive Flight