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Map of Fort Pickens Jetties
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Shore entry

Fort Pickens Jetties

Florida, United States
Open Water suggestedStrong tidal currents through Pensacola Pass with each tide change3–15 m depthShore entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Fort Pickens Jetties at a glance

Fort Pickens Jetties is a shore dive site in Florida, United States with depths of 3–15.2 m (10–50 ft). The best time to dive is typically Slack high tide (conditions usually best about one hour before high tide), May-October for warmest water and 15-30+ ft visibility.. Divers commonly see Gag grouper, Sheepshead, and Red drum. Recent reports put the water around 29°C (85°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 3h ago
0.4 mwaves — under half a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Strong tidal currents through Pensacola Pass with each tide change

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon
Sun7:00–20:00
Mon7:00–20:00
Tue7:00–20:00
Wed7:00–20:00
Thu7:00–20:00
Fri7:00–20:00
Sat7:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

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

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 4.4 km from site · graded 3h 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: Gag grouper, Sheepshead, Red drum
Best time: Slack high tide (conditions usually best about one hour before high tide), May-October for warmest water and 15-30+ ft visibility.

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

  • Gag grouperCommonly seen
  • SheepsheadCommonly seen
  • Red drumCommonly seen
  • FlounderCommonly seen
  • Atlantic guitarfishOccasionally seen
  • Northern stargazerOccasionally seen
  • PorcupinefishOccasionally seen
  • BlenniesCommonly seen
  • GobiesCommonly seen
  • OctopusOccasionally seen
  • Southern stingrayCommonly 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 Fort Pickens Jetties at the western tip of Santa Rosa Island are one of the most popular shore dives in the Florida Panhandle, located within Gulf Islands National Seashore beside the historic 1834 fort. From the seawall steps a gradual sandy slope leads along the rock jetty to about 50 feet, past concrete culverts and scattered artificial habitat that shelter a remarkable density of fish. The site sits in an aquatic preserve at the edge of Pensacola Pass, so slack-tide timing is essential.

reefshore

Strong tidal currents through Pensacola Pass with each tide change — dive only at slack (best ~1 hour before high tide); boat traffic in the pass; fishing lines from the adjacent pier; sharp rocks and urchins on the jetty.

Reviews

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