Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Bay County

The top 8 dive and snorkel sites in Bay County, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Bay County guide

dive sites
8
dive shops
3
reviews
22
8 sites, ranked by diver reviews
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1

St. Andrews Jetties, Panama Beach

4.3(22 reviews)Florida, USA East

1,260-acre coastal park; 110ft, 40ft viz, 60-80DegF; for more information, call St. Andrews State Park at (850) 233-5140 Park Fees: Admission Fee--$5.00 per vehicle; $1.00 for the following: Pedestrians, Bicyclists, extra Passengers, Passengers in vehicles with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Permit Facilities: Picnic pavilions, bath-house, restrooms, beach chair rentals (in season), Park store with limited lunch food items for sale plus drinks, snacks and souvenirs. Beach on tidal pool with no waves and beach on main beach area where waves are located. Boat shuttle (fee charged) available to Shell Island (sand island) across channel from park. No facilities on Shell Island. Dive Shop Concession on site: Jetty Dive Shop 850-233-0197 On site air fills when compressor is working. Some rental tanks, but limited availability. Nitrox usually not available. Closest offsite Dive Shop: PC Dive Center at the corner of Front Beach Rd and Thomas Drive just outside the park at the first redlight. Dive Rules: Follow Florida State dive laws. Dive flag required for diving anywhere outside the jetty tidal pool. Best time to dive: At "high slack tide" Check local tide tables for time. Dive Conditions: strong currents can exist due to incoming/outgoing tide. Best time for lowest current and best visibility is at high slack tide. Depths to 65 feet in main channel. Beware of boat traffic above and use a dive flag as required by law. Fishermen sometimes fish on jetty rocks, so beware of line entanglement or being hooked. Best to carry a cutting tool just in case. Accommodations: Camping available at park or hotels/condos available outside park. Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to sunset Driving Directions: From Hwy 98 turn South on to Hwy 3031 (Thomas Drive) and follow it straight to Hwy 392 and turn left to enter into the gates of St. Andrews State Park. St. Andrews State Park is located approximately 3 miles east of Hwy 392.

Shore entry
No photos yet
2

St. Andrews State Park

No reviews yetUSA, Florida, Panama City

This was my first time a this site. Visibility was around 5- 10 ft., it was almost low tide. I heard that around high tide is much better vis. I also heard in the early summer you might get to see baby hammerhead sharks, but I didn't see any myself. Because of the changing tides there was a slight current. There were a variety of fish there, and some coral. Outside of Panama City Beach, Florida.

BeginnerMax depth 40 ftShore entry
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3

Black Bart

No reviews yetUSA, Florida, Panama City

The 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.

BeginnerMax depth 60 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
4

Aligator bayou

No reviews yetUSA, Florida, Panama City

There is tons to do here, lots of wreck dives there is even a bridge span to dive on 45 min offshore!! I tagged this location because this is were the hardest toughest members of our navy are forged and formed into navy divers. The history and technology that is housed here will humble even the most experienced diver. While your here check out the man in the sea museum this will surely give you a feeling of awwwwweeeeee. Its Panama city beach!!! who doesn't know this place, from such infomercials like girls gone wild and girls gone wild spring break, there is also MTV specials filmed and hosted here every year for the Lower alabama and southern college folks. Aligator bayou is also known as The mecca for Navy Diving.

BeginnerMax depth 65.6 ftShore or Boat entry
No photos yet
5

Stage I

No reviews yetUSA, Florida, Panama City

Stage I is also known as Stage 1.

IntermediateMax depth 60 ftBoat entry
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6

Mac's Reef

No reviews yetUSA, Florida, Panama City

Named in honor of Richard "Mac" McCullen. "Divers gotta be tough" was McCullen's motto. Originally a Navy Toolship, it was used by the Navy for many years after decommissioning as a vessel for salvage practice. When it had outlived it's usefulness, the Navy base donated the boat to Panama City Marine Institute for use as an artificial reef. It was sunk in 2008. A granite plaque was also left to memorialize "Mac"

BeginnerMax depth 60 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
7

Bridge Span #14

No reviews yetUSA, Florida, Panama City

Bridge Span #14 is also known as Hathaway Truss 14.

BeginnerMax depth 59.1 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
8

Bridge Span #1

No reviews yetUSA, Florida, Panama City

Bridge Span #1 from the Hathaway Bridge. Lots of marine life! Photographed multiple jewfish on my only dive. Whale Sharks have been filmed at this location previously. Best access is from Captain Anderson's Marina. Bridge Span #1 is also known as Hathaway Truss 1.

BeginnerMax depth 49.9 ftBoat entry
Numbers match the ranked list of Bay County dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in Bay County

All 3
Panama City Diving
4.9 (232) · Panama City Beach
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Red Alert Diving
4.8 (57) · Panama City Beach
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Divers Den
4.7 (128) · Panama City Beach
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Bay County diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in Bay County for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 8 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.

Frequently asked questions

Are there dive shops in Bay County?

Zentacle lists 3 dive shops in Bay County. The top-rated are Panama City Diving (4.9 from 232 reviews) and Red Alert Diving (4.8 from 57 reviews).