Panama City Beach is known as one of the top dive destinations in Florida, second only to the Florida Keys. The Gulf of Mexico has been dubbed the “Wreck Capital of the South” by Skin Diver magazine.
Wrecks & Artificial Reefs
S.S. Tarpon – The S.S. Tarpon is a 130’ steamer built in 1887. She sank in 1937 in about 95’ of water. The S.S. Tarpon was designated as Florida’s 6th Underwater Archaeological Preserve, making it unlawful to remove anything from this wreck. If you look closely you may see bottles the ship carried down with her as she sunk. You may look, but you can not take anything from this wreck.
Empire Mica – The Empire Mica was an Ocean Tanker built in 1941. She is 479’ long and she lies in 115’ of water. The tanker was torpedoed in June of 1942 by a German U Boat. The propeller of the Empire Mica is now located at Captain Anderson’s Restaurant.
E.E. Simpson Tug – The E.E. Simpson Tug boat was built in 1877. The tug 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. The E.E. Simpson worked for more than a day trying to free the fishing schooner. The fierce wind and pounding waves were too much for the Simpson and eventually carried her to the bottom next to the fishing schooner. Today she lies in about 20’ of water, ½ mile offshore of the East Pass. It is best to dive this spot at low tide. An abundance of aquatic life lives in and around the E.E. Simpson. Sea turtles, stingray, baitfish, stone crab, and squid are just some of the occupants that call the E.E. Simpson their home.
Artificial Wrecks& Reefs
Black Bart – This artificial reef is a memorial to Captain Charles Bartholomew who was the Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage in Panama City. The wreck was sunk in the early 1990’s. The Black Bart is a 185’ oil field supply ship. It sits upright in about 75’ of water. The top of the wheel house sits in about 45’ of water. This wreck is a great wreck for photography and wreck training.
USS 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 142’ of water.