Popular Wrecks
Peak diving season is April through September.
Panama City Beach is known as the “Wreck Capital of the South,” PCB is home to the best dive beach along the Emerald Coast.
The status “Wreck Capital” comes from the numerous famous wrecks found in the Gulf of Mexico that are accessible in Panama City Beach.
Below you’ll find various captivating dives of popular and historical wrecks, as well as barges, artificial reefs and crystal clear Springs!
The Red Sea
this is a 125-ft tug intentionally sunk in 2009. She is in about 74 feet of water, but just 40 feet below the surface.
USS Accokeek
The Naval Dive School used the Accokeek for salvage and ordinance training beginning in 1987. After being sunk and re-floated repeatedly, the tug was packed with explosives and sunk in 100' of water in 2000. From 74′ to the bow and 100′ to the sand, the Accokeek is an advanced dive. Amberjack frequent here along with other beauties of the under water world.
The Chippewa
The Chippewa was a 205' tug boat. It was commissioned by the US Navy in February 1943. In 1989 the tug was assigned to the Navy’s Experimental Dive Unit for salvage and ordinance training. The boat was sunk in February 1990 in nearly 100' of water.
Historical Wrecks
Tarpon
This widely known 130' steamer was built in 1877. The ship made Pensacola and left for Panama City on August 31, 1937. Around 2 am on September 1, water was crashing over the sides causing the TARPON to sink 94' below the surface. Adley Baker, an oilman, swam to shore for over 25 hours and was picked up on the highway near Philips Inlet. Eighteen people lost their lives.
Its estimated that TARPON had traveled approximately 700,000 miles or roughly the distance equal to around the world 28 times.
Over sixty years later the remains of the TARPON is still one the most requested dives in Panama City. The Museum of Man in the Sea, on back beach, has an excellent display on the TARPON. The S.S. Tarpon was coined as Florida’s 6th Underwater Archaeological Preserve, making it unlawful to remove anything from this wreck. There are still bottles and other pieces remaining but are only for admiration.
Empire Mica
Empire Mica was a 479' long Ocean Tanker built in 1941. The tanker was torpedoed in June of 1942 by a German U Boat causing it to sink 105' below the surface. The propeller of the Empire Mica is now located at Captain Anderson’s Restaurant.
E.E Simpson
Built in 1877, The E.E. Simpson Tug boat was 93’ in length with a 20’ beam. On October 26, 1929 the E.E. Simpson was asked to help a fishing schooner that had run aground while trying to enter the St. Andrews bay. Against it's own efforts, the wind and waves overcame the E.E Simpson and sank her to the bottom next to the fishing schooner about 20' under the surface and ½ mile offshore of the East Pass.
Barges & Artificial Reefs
The Black Bart
The Black Bart is a 185' oil field supply ship that was sunk in the early 1990's in about 75' of water and the top of the wheel house sitting at about 45' feet under the waters surface. This artificial reef is a memorial to Captain Charles Bartholomew who was the Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage in Panama City. This also serves as a wonderful opportunity for underwater photography.
The Grey Ghost
This ex-Navy tug boat is 105 foot long and was sunk 22 miles offshore by Panama City Marine Institute’s Artificial Reef Program in 1978.
The U.S.S Strength
The USS Strength is a 185’ Navy Admirable Class Minesweeper. The ship was given to the Navy Salvage Diver School. She was sunk in 1987. The bow is broken and lies on its side, which makes the USS Strength a very interesting dive. The deck lays in about 60’ of water with the bottom located in about 80’ of water.
Crystal Clear Springs
Vortex Springs
The spring basin is 50 feet deep at the mouth of the cavern. Surface lit during the day and inhabited by Koi, Gar, Catfish, American Eels, Redhorse Suckers, Blue Gill, and Bass to name a few. These will surely be your constant companions, and are tame enough to eat right out of your hand, an underwater photographers dream. The cavern continues another one hundred yards, to a depth of 115 feet at the cave system security gate. The white sand bottom and shimmering air pockets make for a breathtaking experience!
Created by Doc & Ruth Dockery, Vortex Spring is home to the Red & White "Diver Down" Flag and is one of the largest diving facilities in the state of Florida.
Vortex Spring is recognized as one of the best and safest diving resorts in the country. This 520 acre playground produces approximately 28 million gallons of crystal "gin" clear water daily at a year round temperature of 68 degrees.
Vortex Spring offers beautiful campgrounds and lodging facilities.
Morrison Springs
Morrison Springs is one of the most popular diving spots in northwest Florida and well-known throughout the southeast. This 161-acre park was acquired by the state in 2004 and has been leased to the county to maintain and preserve. The highlight of the park is a 250-foot diameter spring pool that produces and estimated 48 million gallons of crystal clear water each day and has been recorded to produce up to 70 million gallons a day. Three cavities allow Morrison’s frigid waters to surface from the underground aquifer. The deepest of these cavities, at approximately 300 foot in depth, eventually terminates in an underground chamber of unknown dimensions.
Cypress Springs
Located in Northwest Florida, Cypress spring discharges 65.3 million gallons of water per day. The outer depths of Cypress Spring are roughly 25 feet deep. A small opening can be penetrated to a maximum depth of 75 feet. Many beautiful springs litter the state of Florida. However, I can’t imagine one more beautiful than Cypress Spring in Vernon Florida. Different shades of blue cover the crystal-clear spring. Light blue color water surrounds the perimeter of the natural Florida spring. Dark blue water rests directly over the spring vent near the swimming area.