Snorkeling/diving

Category

Bay scallop season opens Aug. 16 in St. Joseph Bay/Gulf County 

Recreational bay scallop season for Gulf County (including all of St. Joseph Bay) opens Aug.16 and will remain open through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County. Please continue to monitor the weather as the week up to the season progresses. Scalloping, possession of scallops, anchoring or tampering with restoration activities is prohibited in the Bay Scallop Restoration Area marked with...

First phase of artificial reef construction in northwest Florida now complete 

The construction phase for the Florida Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration project has been completed. This project involved the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) coordinating with local coastal governments to deploy prefabricated artificial reef modules within permitted locations in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore of northwest Florida between Pensacola and Mexico Beach. FWC partnered with six municipalties to complete this project: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties and the City of Mexico Beach. This approximately $11.5...

Learn about our area’s artificial reefs in Santa Rosa Beach Nov. 28

The Volunteer Beach Ambassadors of South Walton are host an educational series this fall and winter. On Wednesday evening, Nov. 28th from 6:30-7:30 pm they are offering a presentation on the artificial reefs that sit off shore in Walton County. Join Andy McAlexander and Walt Hartley as they discuss the South Walton Artificial Reef Association and all of their updates. Learn about the snorkeling reefs, the fishing and diving reefs, the Underwater Museum of Art, and all of the many species...

A guide to South Walton’s artificial reefs

For divers, snorkelers, and anglers seeking to explore artificial reefs off South Walton’s coastline, a welcomed addition to recreation is now established. South Walton Artificial Reed Association (SWARA) has deployed 15 artificial reef structures off the shorelines of the Gulf of Mexico in Walton County. It total, there are more than 700 reef structures composing four snorkeling reefs, 11 fishing/diving reefs, and one Underwater Museum of Art. The museum consists of seven sculptures 60 ft. below the surface, .7 miles...