Guided Shore Dives at St. Andrews State Park — Panama City Beach Jetty Dives
Short, guided shore dives along the St. Andrews jetty offer reliable macro life, accessible depths, and small-group attention. Ideal for certified divers wanting a relaxed, wildlife-rich Gulf experience with rental gear available.
The Experience
Before You Go
Arrive early for briefings
Meet at the dive shop 30 minutes before your scheduled time to complete paperwork, fit rental gear, and get the site briefing.
Check tide and current
Dives are scheduled for the best tides but expect mild currents; ask your Divemaster about predicted slack water for calmer conditions.
Bring a dive light for macro
A small, handheld dive light improves contrast for octopus, scorpionfish, and seahorses hiding in crevices.
Log your dive and limit depth
The Divemaster will set a conservative max depth (commonly 60 ft); stick to planned depths to manage bottom time and decompression safety.
Local Knowledge
Hidden Gems
- •Check the underside of larger pilings at low light for frogfish and decorator crabs
- •The shallow sand channels near the jetty often hold juvenile tarpon and schooling baitfish in early summer
Wildlife
- •Grouper
- •Seahorse
Conservation Note
St. Andrews enforces protected seagrass zones and encourages reef-safe sunscreen; divers are asked to avoid touching bottom life to minimize impact.
The park sits on a historic inlet used for fishing and navigation; modern jetties and pilings have created artificial reef structure that attracts marine life.
Photographer's Notes
- • Along the jetty wall at the inlet mouth
- • Around the submerged pilings and concrete ledges
What to Bring
Mask, snorkel, finsEssential
Personal fit improves comfort and reduces mask clearing during shore entry and shallow swims.
Wetsuit (3mm-5mm) or shortyEssential
Water temps vary seasonally; a thin wetsuit gives thermal protection and abrasion resistance on the jetty.
Dive computerEssential
Tracks no-decompression time for repeated shallow dives and changing depth profiles.
Underwater torch or focus light
Helps reveal colors and macro subjects in crevices and under pilings.
Common Questions
Do I need to be certified to join?
Yes, this program is for certified divers; your certification card or digital credential is required at check-in.
Is rental gear available?
Yes, full rental setups are available from the dive shop—reserve sizes in advance to ensure fit.
What depths will we reach?
Guides typically plan dives between 20 and 60 feet; maximum depth is adjusted for certification and comfort.
How visible is the water?
Visibility usually ranges from 15–30 feet depending on weather and tides; dives are scheduled for optimal clarity windows.
Are there age limits or restrictions?
Participants must meet fitness requirements; not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with significant spinal or heart conditions.
What wildlife might I see?
Expect groupers, snappers, and angelfish commonly; with patience you may find octopus, scorpionfish, frogfish, and seahorses.
Book This Experience
Check AvailabilityDuration
2 hours
Location
Panama City Beach, Florida
Difficulty
moderate
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness; should be comfortable with surface swims, basic finning against mild current, and buoyancy control.
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