Panama City Dive Charters
Our goal is to get you diving the shipwrecks and reefs you want to see in the most comfort possible. Our dive boat has a fully enclosed cabin to keep Summer rain showers and Winter winds from affecting your time topside. Drinks, fresh fruit and various snacks are always provided on our dive trips. If you need rental scuba tanks they can be waiting for you on the dive boat. When you are on our scuba charter, all you have to do is dive. Whether you are diving or spearfishing our charter staff is knowledgeable, well trained and professional.... and they always have your safety and comfort in mind.
Our 36' custom dive boat Steel Slinger. She is rated for 20 divers but we limit scuba trips to 15. Our charters and the ensuing dives are never crowded or rushed. You will not be treated like cattle with us!
Panama City, Florida
Dive Trip Reports and Updates
2010 Upgrades
In our effort to run the tightest ship in the Panama City dive community we have recently upgraded a few things on the Steel Slinger to increase comfort and general functionality. Some things you'll see on your next trip include a single serving coffee maker, a microwave, and more hot water capacity for filling wetsuits pre-dive. We have also begun the filing process for our new Federal Reef Fish Permits which will allow us to take spearfishing trips into federal waters. That will make us and our friend Capt Rod on the Wreck Raider the only boats who can legally take spearing charters past 9 nautical miles. Best Holiday wishes to all of you guys from us and Happy New Year!
12-29-09 Our divers reported Vis of 25' and bottom temps of 58*F on the Twin Tugs and DuPont Span 1. Max depth 101'.
12-15-09 Diving Spans 9, 10, 14 and several offshore limestone reefs. Vis during our dives was as low as 8' inshore and as good as 30' offshore on the spans. Water temps were all in the low 60's and the hot water heater really made a big difference in our ability to keep diving all day. The flounder are still thick inshore if abit small.
11-15-09 Vis is returning to normal after the storm! 25' inshore with water temp around 67*F. Divers, break out those wetsuits!
September 20th 2009- We are happy to report that SUDS raised over $8,000 this year during the Panama City Divefest. Tommy and Capt Pat had a blast taking everyone out and Capt Pat even crawled out of his cave and socialized with the divers at Limes!
We had a mixed bag of conditions and visibility this weekend but the water was warm and the jellies weren't too bad.
August 25 2009- Another Whale Shark spotted on Span 2!
Visibility has been 60' on the inshore sites all of July through mid August! Whale sharks are continuing to be seen on the Inshore spans and wrecks. This is the best Summer for Divers in Panama City in recent memory.
July 7 2009- We now offer tank rentals for our trips. Both Air and EANx 32%
Dive Trip Reports and Updates
2010 Upgrades
In our effort to run the tightest ship in the Panama City dive community we have recently upgraded a few things on the Steel Slinger to increase comfort and general functionality. Some things you'll see on your next trip include a single serving coffee maker, a microwave, and more hot water capacity for filling wetsuits pre-dive. We have also begun the filing process for our new Federal Reef Fish Permits which will allow us to take spearfishing trips into federal waters. That will make us and our friend Capt Rod on the Wreck Raider the only boats who can legally take spearing charters past 9 nautical miles. Best Holiday wishes to all of you guys from us and Happy New Year!
12-29-09 Our divers reported Vis of 25' and bottom temps of 58*F on the Twin Tugs and DuPont Span 1. Max depth 101'.
12-15-09 Diving Spans 9, 10, 14 and several offshore limestone reefs. Vis during our dives was as low as 8' inshore and as good as 30' offshore on the spans. Water temps were all in the low 60's and the hot water heater really made a big difference in our ability to keep diving all day. The flounder are still thick inshore if abit small.
11-15-09 Vis is returning to normal after the storm! 25' inshore with water temp around 67*F. Divers, break out those wetsuits!
Greater Amberjack Fishery Closure in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Effective October 24, 2009, the recreational fishery for greater amberjack in federal waters is closed. The recreational harvest in or from federal waters will be prohibited through the end of the current fishing year, December 31, 2009. This closure is effective from 9 miles out in federal Gulf of Mexico waters. State waters remain open for the recreational harvest of greater amberjack with the current bag and size limit of 1 per harvester per day; 28” minimum fork length in the Atlantic and 30” minimum for length in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, a person aboard a vessel for which a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued must also abide by this closure provision in state waters.
September 20th 2009- We are happy to report that SUDS raised over $8,000 this year during the Panama City Divefest. Tommy and Capt Pat had a blast taking everyone out and Capt Pat even crawled out of his cave and socialized with the divers at Limes!
We had a mixed bag of conditions and visibility this weekend but the water was warm and the jellies weren't too bad.
August 25 2009- Another Whale Shark spotted on Span 2!
Visibility has been 60' on the inshore sites all of July through mid August! Whale sharks are continuing to be seen on the Inshore spans and wrecks. This is the best Summer for Divers in Panama City in recent memory.
July 7 2009- We now offer tank rentals for our trips. Both Air and EANx 32%
This Site is Maintained by an Illiterate Dive Boat Captain, Please Pardon the Mess!
If you have any comments about scuba diving content you would like to see on the site please send Capt Pat and email and tell him what you want!
Required & Recommended Dive Equipment
*All persons making 3 or more dives are required to have a dive computer.
Likewise divers are limited to trips that they have the proper training for.
* If you don't have a computer, a timing device is required on all trips.
How else will you know how to work your tables?
*SMBs and whistles are strongly recommended.
*Dive lights are required on night dives.
(Two would be ideal)
*Dive gloves are strongly advised.
* Dive knives are required.
Please ask if you have any questions for your dive planning, we are happy to help!
*All persons making 3 or more dives are required to have a dive computer.
Likewise divers are limited to trips that they have the proper training for.
* If you don't have a computer, a timing device is required on all trips.
How else will you know how to work your tables?
*SMBs and whistles are strongly recommended.
*Dive lights are required on night dives.
(Two would be ideal)
*Dive gloves are strongly advised.
* Dive knives are required.
Please ask if you have any questions for your dive planning, we are happy to help!
Many thanks to Darryl for the DIY web-based marketing tips, he runs Grand Canyon Tours if you find yourself out West!