Panama City SCUBA Diving
Panama City's Dive Boats for Charter
Please note
that it is both customary and appreciated to tip the
deckhand/divemaster (like in a restaurant). If you don't feel they
worked for it then I am sure the Captain would like to know about it so
that the next trip will be better!
While the Dive Locker and PC Dive Center have their own charter fleets that can be booked through their respective shops, we also recommend these shop independent and owner operated charters below.
PC Dive Charters and PC Spearfishing Charters are based out of the Bay Point Marina. Their boat is a custom made 36' Newton dive boat the Steel Slinger.
She is USCG inspected for 30 regular passengers or 23 divers but they
will not run with more than 15 to insure comfort and space for
everyone. They pride themselves on their "big boat" comfort and
personal "small boat" service. Discounted group rates are available as
are discounts for instructors. They are also the only boat to run
dedicated spearfishing trips regularly in the area. Capt Pat can be
reached via email CaptPat@PanamaCityDiveCharters.com or by cell 850-624-2084.
Better Bottom Time charters
runs a 30' Island Hopper inspected for 14 divers out of Sun Harbor
Marina. Capt John is also highly flexible with dive sites and runs out
of his way frequently to make sure everyone sees what they want to see,
or more to the point... don't see the same site over and over again.
Capt John's Cell # is 850-628-DIVE
Wreck Raider is
an excellent 6 pack charter. Capt Rod's 28' Parker is hands down the
fastest dive charter in Bay County. He can get you to those offshore
sites and back again as quickly as conditions dictate. Despite his
quick boat his is one of the more laid back operators in town and
although speed is an option you won't feel any pressure to hurry from
him or his crew. 850-249-DIVE
DownTime Dive Charters Capt Pat Kennedy runs a 27' Sportscraft the Down Time. His trips are also 6-packs (no more than 6 allowed) Pat has been doing this longer than most of the other Captains and some people have claimed he can get to the Black Bart blindfolded! Capt Kennedy is as personable as he is experienced and his DM Jess Cook is one of the livelier characters in the PC diving community.
Boat Etiquette
If you are new to area boat diving there are a few things you may want to know to prevent making a faux pas.
It is generally frowned upon to bring a massive gear bag full of a complete dive shop onboard. They take up too much space and on boats every pound takes away from the performance of the vessel.
Similarly, most boats have a large cooler and provide drinks and snacks for their customers. If you have drinks and snacks or your own they should go in the boat cooler do not bring your own.
When the Captain and crew are addressing the boat, listen! They know far more about diving off their boat than you do and more divers are hurt trying to climb dive ladders in a manner contrary to instructions than by all the angry bullsharks and barracudas in the world.
Dive planning should take place on the boat, once divers are in the water they are subject to wave action and surface currents making communication hard and anxiety much worse.
The only way to get to the wreck is to follow the line from the boat down to the site, and the only way back to the boat is to slowly ascend the line. Please note the spot on the wreck the line is attached to as you will have to come back to that spot. If you find a line at another spot its going to the wrong boat. Divers ascending the wrong line are expected to buy their new friends on the other boat a 6 pack!
Bananas are considered bad luck on boats and mariners are a superstitious lot. Please ingest your potassium with your breakfast while on shore.
Gloves and knives are a must due to fishing line and rusty metal. Likewise 2 lights are required gear on night dives while chemical lights (glow sticks) and safety sausages and whistles are always a good idea for saltwater dives.
It is customary to tip the divemaster/deckhand 15-20% of the trip cost (not rental gear and air) provided they worked for it, just like in a restaurant.
