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Log This Dive

The Ft. Pickens Jetties is one of the most popular shore diving sites in the Florida Panhandle. This site is easily accessible from the north seawall steps west of the fishing pier. This site is one of the main SCUBA training dive sites in the area.

The Ft. Pickens Jetties, over in the Florida Panhandle, is one of those places we keep coming back to. It’s a solid shore dive, easy to get into from the seawall steps just west of the fishing pier. We’ve done more than a few training dives here ourselves, and it’s perfect for knocking off those initial certifications or just getting back into the swing of things after a break. But don’t let the ‘training site’ label fool you. We’ve spent hours poking around these jetties, and they’re surprisingly full of life. You’ll find schools of porgies and snapperchokers darting through the rocks. Keep an eye out for lined seahorses clinging to the algal growth, they blend in well. We’ve spotted red scorpionfish tucked into crevices and even a few leatherback sea turtles cruising by in the deeper sections. The visibility can be a bit variable, especially after heavy rains, but on a calm day, it’s an absolute pleasure. It’s not a deep dive, making it ideal for longer bottom times and really searching out the smaller stuff – like the tiny dubious ceriths on the sand flats or the angular brittle stars under rocks. We love it for its accessibility and the consistent chance of finding something interesting without needing a boat.