A trip to Fort Walton Beach is a chance for travelers to enjoy sun, sand, and surf in abundance. While land-based activities abound here, the fun that waits below the waves can be equally appealing! When you’re ready to explore, Fort Walton Beach scuba diving can be a real treat. Read on to learn about the local dive shops in Fort Walton Beach.
Scuba Diving In Fort Walton Beach, FL
Whether you’re an experienced scuba diver or you’re new to the activity and looking to get certified, Fort Walton Beach and nearby Destin are delightful places to head underwater and experience the world in a brand-new way. The waters that surround these areas are home to everything from sea turtles and crabs to spiny lobsters, natural limestone reefs, and even sunken ships! Massive quantities of marine life inhabit this area, providing scuba divers with a unique place to encounter habitats of all kinds. There are local dive spots where you can get your eyes on Lionfish which are a beautiful and protected species.
Companies That Lead Guided Scuba Diving Experiences
You don’t have to head out solo to enjoy scuba diving. Oftentimes, it’s advisable to partner up with professionals who know where to go and what to see along the way. One such company in the Fort Walton Beach area is Fort Walton Beach Scuba. Located at 130 W. Miracle Strip Parkway Unit C, Fort Walton Beach Scuba provides amazing local diving experiences to divers and student divers alike. This company employs a team of PADI instructors and dive masters who are highly trained and take safety seriously. The company offers certification as well as continuing education alongside guided dives. They’ve been a premier provider of scuba diving in Fort Walton Beach, FL for over 30 years and in addition to group dives, they provide gear rentals, sales, and service.
Another great option for those looking to book a scuba charter in Fort Walton Beach is to partner up with Blue Water Escape Fishing and Diving Charters. Led by Captain Stone, this company takes participants out to natural reefs on diving trips that are customized and one-of-a-kind with every booking. Additionally, Emerald Coast Scuba offers up a team of knowledgeable dive instructors and guides ready to lead groups to amazing local diving areas.
Where to Enjoy Fort Walton Beach Scuba Diving
Scuba divers of all skill levels and experience types will find that Fort Walton Beach and nearby Destin alike are home to stunning dive locations that are all well worth exploring for their own unique reasons. Amateur scuba divers looking to ease into things will want to start by diving around the artificial reefs. Here, marine life congregates in droves making for amazing scenes but you don’t have to go far offshore to find the fun. Many new divers head over to the Destin Bridge Rubble where you can pick and choose from locations like North Stack, East Stack, or Main Stack depending on preference.
For more experienced divers looking to connect with history, checking out Wreck Alley is a must! Starting about 2 miles off of Okaloosa Pier, this area is packed with diving locations that are not only integrated into an artificial reef program but house a variety of shipwrecks on-site to explore. The artificial reef program spans 16 miles of coastline here and in total, Wreck Alley hosts 25 large vessels. Divers can take time to check out a Barrel Barge below the waves that’s more than 100 feet long. Surrounding this wreck there’s a good chance you’ll happen upon everything from flounder and amberjack to spadefish too.
Another shipwreck that many scuba divers in Fort Walton Beach add to their must-see list is the Miss Louise. This sunken vessel is found half a mile off the coast of Destin, and you’ll need to have open water certification to reach it. A 55-foot dive gets you within reach of this tugboat measuring 85 feet that sank in 1997.
For military buffs, the waters around Fort Walton Beach and Destin are a treasure trove of opportunity. Here, it’s possible to dive and find sunken M60 battle tanks that were once prime coastal defenders. These days, they appeal to everything from sea turtles and stingrays to tropical fish.
A fan-favorite dive site for enjoying natural reefs in Fort Walton Beach is what’s known as Timber Holes. Located around 20 miles offshore, this dive takes you down 120 feet and is ideal for advanced divers. It’s home to red snapper, sponges, and sea squirts and is a dive space built into the recesses of limestone.
Book Your Stay in Fort Walton Beach Today
When you’re ready to enjoy an adventure in Fort Walton Beach, the team at The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach have you covered. Let us handle your vacation rental accommodation details while you’re here so luxury, comfort, and style are all a part of your exciting journey! Reach out today to learn more.