PENSACOLA SCUBA FIELD GUIDE
Pensacola Wrecks & Chevron Rig: Two Days of Mid‑Shore to Off‑Shore Diving (Aug 16–17, 2025)
Two days of guided dives aboard the 36' H20 Below, visiting mid‑shore wrecks and the off‑shore Chevron Rig—this guide explains what to expect, what to bring, and who should join.
Pensacola Wrecks & Chevron Rig: Two Days of Mid‑Shore to Off‑Shore Diving (Aug 16–17, 2025).
Pensacola’s Gulf waters hide more than a thousand individual dive sites, from shallow reefs and wrecks to deep rigs; over a focused two‑day outing aboard the H20 Below you'll sample mid‑shore wrecks on day one and the off‑shore Chevron Rig on day two, with operator limits and certification requirements ensuring a managed experience for serious divers.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
H20 Below: Sturdy, Custom Dive Platform
Dives are run from H20 Below, a 36' Newton custom dive boat certified to carry 24 divers, with operator limits set lower for comfort—space on each trip is intentionally limited to maintain a safe, efficient running of multiple dives.
More Than a Thousand Dive Options
The Pensacola area offers an enormous variety of sites, from accessible mid‑shore wrecks to deeper targets; the itinerary pairs a mid‑shore morning with an off‑shore Chevron Rig morning so divers sample very different underwater topography across the two days.
Off‑shore Depths and Technical Considerations
Off‑shore dives can reach 90'–130', and the operator sets certification and equipment expectations accordingly—this is not a casual shore outing but a planned adventure for appropriately trained divers.
What the day feels like
What the Two Days Feel Like
Over two mornings you board H20 Below from the Pensacola launch, run 6–8 hour mid‑shore and off‑shore trips out to about 20 miles, and work through deeper wreck and rig dives with on‑boat drinking water and a surface‑interval snack provided—expect organized briefings, staged gear, and a steady cadence of surface intervals between structured dives.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should wait for a different outing.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring your complete SCUBA system (regulator, BC, octopus/alternate, weights/belt and dive computer), snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and boots), certification card from an internationally recognized agency, and a Surface Marker Buoy (required).
The operator provides drinking water and a surface‑interval snack; bring extra food or drink if you prefer, plus sunglasses, sunscreen and a towel for topside comfort.
If you are prone to seasickness, start motion‑sickness medication the day before and take it the day of the trip; gloves are recommended and a dive light is highly recommended for wreck and rig exploration.
Plan for accommodations, gas and food on land before and after each day; space on the H20 Below is limited so reserve early to secure a spot.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
When are the dives scheduled?
The two‑day outing runs August 16 (mid‑shore morning) and August 17 (off‑shore Chevron Rig morning).
Where do we meet and board?
Meet at H2O Below Dive Charters, 10121 Sinton Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507 for check‑in and boarding.
Are there certification or age requirements?
The trip notes indicate a minimum age of 16+ and specific certification requirements for off‑shore dives—AOW and Nitrox certifications are required for the deeper off‑shore Chevron Rig dives.
How many divers are on the boat?
H20 Below is certified for 24 divers, but trips are limited to 16 recreational divers or 10 technical divers to ensure comfort and safety.
What safety and comfort provisions are provided on board?
Trips run 6–8 hours and travel up to about 20 miles; drinking water and a surface‑interval snack are provided during each outing.
What essential gear is required?
Divers must bring their full SCUBA system, mask/snorkel/fins/boots, a dive computer, certification card and a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) which is required for the trip.