Diving Locations

Know Before You Go

All visitors are responsible to know the rules and regulations of the park.

Review Park Diving Regulations

 

The Southside of Santa Rosa Island has sandy bottoms exposed to tidal changes and surf action. Many marine creatures swim or drift through the waters or live on or within the bottom sands. Most divers find these areas to be a "barren desert." On the bay side of the island are shallow areas of scattered marine grass in which the snorkel can find pinfish, pipefish, seahorses and other interesting species.

Some popular sites are:

• The jetties at the northwest corner of Fort Pickens seawall. Depths can drop to 50 feet, and currents can be treacherous.
• The 1906 wreck of the tugboat Sport, 0.9 miles east of the Fort Pickens Ranger Station on the bayside.
• The USS Massachusetts is a 550 feet battleship sunk by the military in the 1920’s 1.5 miles outside Pensacola Pass.

Additional Information:

• Due to storms sites may change
• In cases of emergencies Call 911