It’s not just the surface and horizon of the Emerald Coast that offers stunning views. Underneath the surface of the water, there are reefs, underwater sanctuaries, and a variety of fish life waiting to be explored by you.
Because of the exciting underwater finds, there are several diving schools in 30A where you can earn your PADI certification. A PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification is needed for anyone who wants to scuba dive, but the process to earn it is not a lengthy one. At 30A Dive, where after two days of practice, you can earn your PADI certification, and even take advanced open water or rescue diver classes. If you want to go deep diving or spearfishing, you’ll want to take the Nitrox course, for instance.
But once you’ve earned your PADI certification and you’re ready to dive, the next question is where. Lucky for you, there are several locations throughout the 30A area ideal for scuba diving.
St. Andrews State Park
St. Andrews State Park with its natural springs and caverns is the recommended spot by 30A Dive for beginners, and where the open water courses are held. The underwater caves are a staggering sight and even more thrilling to explore. You’ll see many different kinds of fish, and may even see eels or sea turtles. The caves are freshwater, creating natural springs, and the ecosystem is something very unique and particular to this site. The fact that it’s freshwater also ensures that the water is clear and easy to see through and the fish are typically friendlier.
Underwater Museum of Art
Grayton Beach has artificial coral reefs that now serve as both a museum and an animal sanctuary. The Underwater Museum of Art contains sculptures not just of reefs but pineapples, skulls, and octopi. Best of all, the art serves as a man-made marine habitat, and you can often find sea turtles and various types of fish swimming through this area and adding to the overall ambiance of the place. After all, you can scuba dive on many coasts, but how often can you visit a museum while you scuba dive. You can also go spearfishing in Grayton beach with Nitrox training.
Destin
If you’re looking for something intriguing like a shipwreck, search for scuba diving sites in Destin. You’ll see here sunken barges, tugboats, naval ships, and even aircrafts. You can even find parts of the Old Destin Bridge at the bottom of the water here. But wreckage isn’t all there is to find in Destin. There are also natural reefs as well as man-made reefs, and the rocky Destin Jetties offer an intriguing experience for both scuba diving and snorkeling.
You can find the perfect dive spots for beginners and experienced divers alike. So, the next time you’re in the 30A area or even if you live here and have a weekend free, don’t miss the chance to go scuba diving or snorkeling. Take the time to get your PADI certification and enjoy these or other scuba tours or independent dive sites.
