PANAMA CITY SCUBA FIELD GUIDE
Night dives on the Forgotten Coast: shipwrecks, reefs and the USS United States at 60–130 ft
A two-day, one-night Panama City trip that stacks multiple dives on wrecks, limestone reefs and artificial structure sites—this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
Night dives on the Forgotten Coast: shipwrecks, reefs and the USS United States at 60–130 ft.
Off Panama City on Florida’s Forgotten Coast, an overnight shipwreck trip stacks deep, focused dives on limestone reefs, artificial structures and wrecks. The operator runs a concentrated program of multi-day diving that targets species like snapper, grouper and amberjack while providing meals, group photos and onboard accommodations.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Targeted reef and wreck fish
The trip is organized around fishing- and reef-associated species commonly encountered on the Forgotten Coast—called out examples include snapper, grouper and amberjack—so expect focused visits to habitat that supports those populations.
USS United States and other artificial structures
Wreck diving is a central draw: the itinerary explicitly includes the SS United States and a program of wreck and artificial-structure dives that form the backbone of the trip.
Overnight format with meals and night diving
The format is an overnight outing with onboard accommodation, meals provided across two days, and a planned night dive as part of the program.
What the day feels like
What the trip feels like
Expect a compact, purpose-built two-day schedule: multiple dives each day among limestone reefs, artificial structures and wrecks, an overnight onboard, freshly prepared meals and a group pace that emphasizes repeated bottom time and guided exploration.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip is built for—and who should sit it out.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a 2-day, 1-night outing with departures early Saturday and a return Sunday evening; operators set the exact boarding and return schedule.
Bring certification proof and current dive logs; personal sleeping bag and pillow are required for the overnight accommodations.
Price includes meals across both days (two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners) and nonalcoholic beverages; tipping customary at 15–20%.
The trip lists minimum and maximum participant counts and a retail price; operators publish group-size limits and the retail cost for the outing.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
The outing is a two-day, one-night trip.
When does the trip depart and return?
The published schedule shows a Saturday 6:00 a.m. departure with a return at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
How many dives are included?
Sources in the trip materials differ: one summary references eight dives over two days, while the detailed itinerary lists seven dives, including one night dive.
What certification or experience do I need?
Advanced Open Water certification is required; alternatively you may participate if you are actively completing AOW training with an instructor on board. Divers should have been actively diving within the past year.
What should I pack for the overnight portion?
Bring basic overnight bedding—a sleeping bag and pillow are required—along with your usual dive documentation and personal gear as specified by the operator.
What does the trip price cover and is tipping expected?
The published retail price covers meals (two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners) and nonalcoholic beverages; customary gratuities are noted at roughly 15–20%.