Have you ever wondered what secrets lie just beneath the sparkling waters of the Emerald Coast?
Just off the shores of Destin, historic shipwrecks rest quietly on the ocean floor, transformed over time into vibrant underwater playgrounds teeming with marine life. Snorkelers can explore shallow sites alive with darting fish, curious dolphins and swaying corals—perfect for families, couples and dive-buddies alike!
For the more adventurous, scuba diving unlocks deeper wrecks and reef systems, where towering hulls, drifting sea turtles and the legendary Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail await.
Courtesy Alex Fogg / Destin-Fort Walton Beach
Begin your journey at iconic sites like the Big Dawg—a 93-foot vessel deployed in 2021 and the largest wreck added to Destin–Fort Walton Beach waters in over a decade—or discover hidden gems where living reefs shimmer with color and movement. Whether it’s your first snorkel or your hundredth dive, each site offers a glimpse into a thriving underwater world.
“We always say take only pictures, leave only bubbles. We want to stress minimal-impact diving because we want everybody to experience these wrecks.”
– Melissa Price, Senior Underwater Archaeologist for the Florida Department of Archaeology
Diving beyond Big Dawg? Head further west and explore standout sites like Pete Tide II, where goliath groupers hover inside sunken holds, or the quirky pyramid-shaped Avocet. For serious divers, the legendary USS Oriskany—a decommissioned aircraft carrier turned reef—offers one of America’s most epic wreck dives.
For the ultimate snorkeling and diving experience along the Emerald Coast, plan your visit between late spring and early fall, when the Gulf’s warm, calm, crystal-clear waters are at their finest. Whether you’re exploring reefs or shipwrecks, remember to dive within your limits, follow safety guidelines, and make every dive a safe one.
And the best part? Your adventure is just minutes from the comfort of a Rentalz vacation home. Imagine waking up in a beachfront condo, the morning sun spilling across your balcony as gentle waves roll ashore. Spend the day exploring maritime history, then return to a cool, spacious retreat where you can cook the day’s fresh catch in your own kitchen or watch the sunset melt into the horizon.
So pack your mask, fins and curiosity, Destin’s shipwrecks are calling! With Rentalz, your Emerald Coast escape is more than a getaway, hence, it’s a story you’ll tell for years to come.
For readers wanting to dive deeper—literally—Destin-Fort Walton Beach offers detailed maps, 3D imagery, and deployment footage of its artificial reefs, including the Big Dawg and Manta, plus updates on the ongoing SS United States reef project. Explore them here: Artificial Reef Maps & 3D Views.
