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Shore entry

Saint Andrew's Bay

Florida, United States
Open Water suggestedStrong tidal currents on the channel side of the jetty except at slack tide (high slack is best, with a roughly 45-minute window); heavy boat traffic in the ship channel6–21 m depthShore entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Saint Andrew's Bay at a glance

Saint Andrew's Bay is a shore dive site in Florida, United States with depths of 6.1–21.3 m (20–70 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Goliath grouper, Spotted eagle ray, and Sheepshead. Recent reports put the water around 30°C (86°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 4h ago
0.4 mwaves — under half a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 30°C · seasonal avg 30°C

Site hazards: Strong tidal currents on the channel side of the jetty except at slack tide (high slack is best, with a roughly 45-minute window); heavy boat traffic in the ship channel

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sun
Sun6:00–20:00
Mon6:00–20:00
Tue6:00–20:00
Wed7:00–20:00
Thu7:00–20:00
Fri7:00–20:00
Sat7:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:31 · Sunrise 5:58 · Sunset 19:40

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.9 km from site · graded 4h 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, Red drum, Gray snapper
Best time: High slack tide for minimal current and best visibility; April through October for warm water; weekday mornings to avoid crowds and boat traffic.

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

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan88%15°C0.9 m
  2. Feb93%17°C0.8 m
  3. Mar90%20°C0.9 m
  4. Apr92%22°C0.8 m
  5. May99%26°C0.6 m
  6. Jun97%29°C0.7 m
  7. Jul100%30°C0.5 m
  8. Aug100%31°C0.5 m
  9. Sep97%29°C0.5 m
  10. Oct99%26°C0.5 m
  11. Nov98%22°C0.6 m
  12. Dec98%18°C0.7 m

July and August havetypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

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

Species seen here

  • Goliath grouperOccasionally seen
  • Spotted eagle rayOccasionally seen
  • SheepsheadCommonly seen
  • Red drumCommonly seen
  • Gray snapperCommonly seen
  • FlounderCommonly seen
  • OctopusOccasionally seen
  • Southern stingrayCommonly seen
  • SeahorseRarely seen
  • West Indian manateeRarely seen
  • Sea turtleOccasionally 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 St. Andrews State Park jetties guard the entrance channel of St. Andrew Bay in Panama City Beach and are the Panhandle's best-known shore dive. After a short swim across a sheltered 8-10 foot lagoon, divers cross the granite jetty and work along boulders that drop from about 20 to 70 feet on the channel side, where Gulf and estuary species mix. Timing the dive to high slack tide is essential, as the tidal exchange through the pass generates strong currents and the channel carries constant boat traffic.

reefshore

Strong tidal currents on the channel side of the jetty except at slack tide (high slack is best, with a roughly 45-minute window); heavy boat traffic in the ship channel — stay near the rocks and fly a dive flag; fishing lines from the jetty; sharp rocks and urchins.

Reviews

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