Join us in Panama City Beach, Florida – July 12-14, 2024

Why Panama City Beach?

Known as the “Wreck Capital of the South”, Panama City is considered one of the top dive destinations in Florida. Here, you find tug boats, freighters, steamers, ocean tankers, and even a hovercraft! Numerous bridge spans have also been sunk offshore and provide great artificial reefs.

Panama City Beach is home to numerous critters including sea turtles, goliath grouper, sharks, and even bottlenose dolphin! Along the reefs, enjoy colorful fish as you look for nudibranchs, octopus, bristle worms, and batfish.

Travel Plans

Join us for 6 dives with Divers Den! We’ve got a full day diving Saturday with both morning and afternoon trips, and one more trip on Sunday before heading back to Jacksonville. We wanted to dive as much as possible, but also realize this itinerary leaves little room for sightseeing or relaxation. If you prefer to sit out the afternoon dive on Saturday, please let us know and we can adjust your rate. Due to the depths of some locations, this trip is open to Advanced Open Water (AOW) divers only.  However, if you are not AOW certified, you may complete your AOW training on this trip.  Already an AOW diver?  Consider adding on a Nitrox class or becoming specialized in Peak Performance Buoyancy.

For this trip we’ve reserved several rooms at the Hampton Inn, just a short drive from the harbor. Queen rooms are available for single or double occupancy and we also have a few king rooms reserved for couples.

Space is limited – book today to secure your spot!

Wrecks and wildlife in Panama City Beach

Itinerary

Friday, July 12 2024

  • 4:00 pm: Check in to Hampton Inn
  • Meet your travel companions, grab some dinner, and soak in the sunset
  • Go over the paperwork and knowledge reviews (PADI Courses only)
  • Remember that we’ll be diving early the next morning.  Make sure to stay hydrated, limit any alcohol consumption, and get a good night’s rest.  If you tend to get seasick, I highly recommend taking a Dramamine the night before.

Saturday, July 13 2024

  • 6:45 am: Drive to the harbor.  The boat departs at 9:00 but they want us there early 
  • 8:00 am: Depart for 2 morning dives – sites will vary with conditions
  • 12:30 pm: Arrive on shore, check-in for the afternoon dive, and grab a quick lunch
  • 1:30 pm: Depart for 2 afternoon dives – sites will vary with conditions
  • 5:00 pm: Arrive on shore and enjoy a well-earned meal! Remember that we’ll be diving early the next morning.  Make sure to stay hydrated, limit any alcohol consumption, and get a good night’s rest.  If you tend to get seasick, I highly recommend taking a Dramamine the night before.

We understand this itinerary does not leave much room for sightseeing or relaxation, but wanted to provide as many dive opportunities as possible! If you wish to change your number of dives, please let us upon booking and we will adjust your rate.

Sunday, July 14 2024

  • 6:45 am: Drive to the harbor.  The boat departs at 9:00 but they want us there early 
  • 8:00 am: Depart for 2 morning dives – sites will vary with conditions
  • 12:00 pm: Arrive on shore and enjoy a group lunch before heading to Jacksonville

Price List:

Each room features a refrigerator, coffee maker, flat-screen TV, and air conditioning. The price below includes three boat trips, but if you’d like to do fewer, please let us know and we will adjust your rate at booking.

  • Queen Bed in Standard Double Room – $799 per person / double occupancy
  • Standard King Room – $849 per person / double occupancy
  • Queen Bed Standard Double Room $1099 per person / single occupancy

Book your dive today to secure your spot! 

Includes:

  • 2 nights accommodation and complimentary breakfast at the Hampton Inn
  • 6 boat dives (if you want to do fewer dives, we can adjust upon booking – just let us know!)

Does not include:

  • Transportation to Panama City Beach, Florida
  • Tanks or any rental equipment you may need
  • Tips for boat crew
  • Any additional instruction fees
  • Lunch, dinner, or drinks

Terms:

  • 50% deposit due at booking
  • Balance due by June 30, 2024
  • If you need to reschedule before June 30, 2024, you will be subject to a $100 rescheduling fee and will receive credit for a future trip. After June 30, 2024, we will not be able to issue any credits or refunds, as we need a certain number of divers to maintain the wholesale rates we secured for this trip. However, we will work diligently to help you find a diver to cover your spot. If we do find a replacement diver, you’ll be able to reapply your payment on a future trip and a $100 rescheduling fee will apply. If you are concerned with this I recommend looking into travel insurance.

Possible PADI Add-ons:

All PADI classes will be conducted under First Coast Divers.  If you are interested in signing up, click on the link above, call the shop at 904-737-0050, or email contact@firstcoastdivers.com.  Make sure to let them know you’re on the Key Largo trip!  Please be aware that the Enriched Air Specialty Diver course is NOT an in-water course, but we will teach you how to safely breathe Nitrox.  There is an additional fee for Nitrox tanks.

This trip is likely to sell out – click here to secure your spot today!

Requirements:
  • Must have been diving at least once in the last year.
  • Dive Accident Insurance. I recommend enrolling with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) for a Regular Individual Membership ($40/year) and Master Insurance Coverage ($44/year), at minimum. Make sure to enroll in a policy that provides coverage for dive accident insurance. DAN also offers travel insurance which is not required but highly encouraged.
  • Gear: tanks, ~10% of body weight in dive weights, BCD, regulator with alternative second stage, pressure gauge or air-integrated computer, timekeeper, fins & booties, mask & snorkel, and a surface marker buoy.
  • AOW students will need a dive knife and compass.
  • If you are not Nitrox certified, I strongly recommend doing so for this trip. It will shorten your time on the surface and allow for maximum time underwater. Breathing nitrox also reduces the risk of decompression sickness.