Scuba diving in Destin
Destin diving offers a unique underwater experience. Its
crystal clear water and abundant sea life are what attract
both snorkelers and divers to explore its unique structure
in Destin dive sites.
Destin has deep and shallow reefs, wrecks and coral reefs
which make up a good variety of dive sites catering for both
novices and experienced divers. There is
abundant marine
life among which you will find many kinds of tropical fish
as well as loggerhead turtles, and dolphins.
Always dive according to your level of training.
Never enter the water without checking with
Destin dive
centers for safety, additional information, level required
for each dive site and without being accompanied by a
professional.
All the information provided is purely informative for our
readers and shouldn't be used as is to plan your immersion.
Average annual temperature: Between 27°C to 31 (80° F to 88°
F)
Average Water surface temperature: 24° C (75° F)
Visibility often averaging: Visibility is between 35 to 45
feet, sometimes it reach 80 feet in winter (11 to 14 meters
24 meters in winter)
Coldest time: January
Warmest time: July
Possible to dive all year round.
Destin offers a great variety of dive sites. Both day and
night dives are available all year. Destin's crystal clear
water is great for underwater photography. The miles of
sandy beach make Destin a great location for family
vacations. There is deep water close to the shore making
good diving quickly and easily accessible. The reef system
in Destin attracts a lot of soft corals and sponges. The
area is also home to abundant sea life such as spiny
lobster, shovelnose and grouper.
For those who want to become certified divers, there are
several dive shops offering courses from different
certification agencies at all levels. So you can start your
diving experience right here or even do some further
training.
Some of Destin's dive sites.
Destin Bridge Rubble is an artificial reef. The Destin
Bridge Rubble was sunk in the mid 70s to form this reef at a
depth of 60 - 70 feet (18 - 21 meters). The reef became home
to a variety of sea life like large schools of baitfish.
Okaloosa County and the cities of Destin and Valparaiso
teamed up to create Mohawk Chief / Sand Dollar Artificial
Reef complex. It consists of six patch reefs arranged in a
hexagonal shape, its center is a tugboat named Mohawk Chief.
It is 100 - 124 feet (30 - 38 meters) deep. The complex is
home to both small and large fish.
Miss Louise is at a depth of 55 - 60 feet (17 - 18 meters).
It is a tugboat sunk in 1997 as part of the Artificial Reef
Program. It became home to crabs as well as gray snapper,
angelfish, belted sandfish, and puffer fish.
At 80 - 90 feet (24 - 27 meters) deep lies the Thomas
Hayward also known as Liberty Ship. It was sunk at 1977 and
now it became one of the most popular dive sites in Florida.
Divers reported seeing southern stingrays, amberjack,
grouper and flounder in the area.
The Tanks is part of the Okaloosa County Artificial reef
program. It is at a depth of 65 - 70 feet (20 - 21 meters).
This site is a great spot for underwater photography.
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