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Shore entry

Catherine

Florida, United States
Open Water suggestedGulf surf and longshore current; rip currents along Santa Rosa Island; wreckage frequently buried by shifting sand (little may be visible); boat traffic near the pass5 m depthShore entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Catherine at a glance

Catherine is a shore dive site in Florida, United States with depths of up to 4.6 m (15 ft). The best time to dive is typically Calm, green-flag summer days with flat surf; visibility is best on light east winds and an incoming tide.. Divers commonly see Sheepshead, Atlantic spadefish, and Flounder. Recent reports put the water around 29°C (85°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 2h ago
0.4 mwaves — under half a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Gulf surf and longshore current; rip currents along Santa Rosa Island; wreckage frequently buried by shifting sand (little may be visible); boat traffic near the pass

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Fri
Sun7:00–20:00
Mon7:00–20:00
Tue7:00–20:00
Wed19:00–20:00
Thu7:00–20:00
Fri7:00–20:00
Sat7:00–13:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:37 · Sunrise 6:04 · Sunset 19:47

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.1 km from site · graded 2h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Sheepshead, Atlantic spadefish, Flounder
Best time: Calm, green-flag summer days with flat surf; visibility is best on light east winds and an incoming tide.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

No seasonal history for this site yet — historical marine data is still being aggregated.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • SheepsheadCommonly seen
  • Atlantic spadefishCommonly seen
  • FlounderCommonly seen
  • Southern stingrayOccasionally seen
  • Blue crabCommonly seen
  • Sea turtleOccasionally seen
  • PinfishCommonly seen
  • Red drumOccasionally seen

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

The Catherine was a Norwegian sailing vessel that ran aground on a sandbar about 300 yards from shore while entering Pensacola Pass in a storm on August 7, 1894; all 18 crew were rescued by the Santa Rosa Island Life Saving Station. Her remains, including a brass binnacle found by recreational divers, lie in roughly 15 feet of water off the Fort Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore. It is one of the few historic wrecks in the region that can be reached by swimming from the beach, though shifting sand alternately exposes and buries the timbers.

shorewreck

Gulf surf and longshore current; rip currents along Santa Rosa Island; wreckage frequently buried by shifting sand (little may be visible); boat traffic near the pass — tow a dive flag.

Reviews

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