Members of the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association and Florida Wildlife Commission generated a report assessing the impact to the reefs. They discovered that the reef adjacent to the Varmar (not shown on our dive map because it’s off Mexico Beach) experienced the most impact since it was in 25' of water, with only 35% of the reef material remaining in the original reef patch. However, the artificial reefs in moderate and deep water remained undisturbed. Below is a graphic from that report showing the path of the hurricane through the reefs and wrecks of Panama City Beach.
She is a three-story vessel, with incredible amounts of marine life already living there. As of our last visit, you could still spot the "Happy Holidays", unidentified townsfolk on her deck for all cars passing by the bridge.
Absolutely PERFECT! This is the place to go, period. We did a refresher course with Scuba Dive Panama City Beach and we are once again hooked on diving. The Team was friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. It is obvious they love the sport of diving. All their gear is new and meticulously maintained. They have mastered the art of Customer service!
There are many excellent dive spots on Panama City Beach for both novice and advanced divers. There are more than 50 artificial reefs within a few miles of the World's Most Beautiful Beaches. These include bridge spans, ships, and natural limestone reefs that range in depth from 18 to 110 feet.
The Panama City Beach has a variety of great dive sites, suitable for both beginners as well as experienced divers. Over 50 artificial reefs can be found within miles of the World's Most Beautiful Beaches. There are also bridge spans, boats, bridges, and hundreds upon hundreds of natural limestone reefs. The depths range from 18 feet to 110ft.
Panama City Beach is a fantastic vacation destination as well as a dive spot. It is also easy to get there from many different places. Divers of different experience levels will find reasons to come back again and again. And their families will love it.
Panama City Beach offers an abundance of excellent dive sites for both beginners and experienced divers. Within miles of the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches there are over 50 artificial reefs to explore, including ships, barges, bridge spans, and hundreds of natural limestone reefs, ranging in depths of 18 feet to 110 feet.
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.