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Shore entry

Saint Andrew's Bay

Florida, United StatesDirections
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 (20–70 ft) depthShore entry3mm wetsuit 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, West Indian manatee, and Red drum. Recent reports put the water around 24°C (76°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 7:00–18:00 · favorable

Forecast for this hour · 19:00 · run 6 h ago
0.2 m (0.7 ft)waves — under half a meter expected (waves — under a foot expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 24°C · seasonal avg 26°C ( · Forecast 76°F · seasonal avg 78°F)

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

Smallest waves: Tue
MonNo window

0.3 m waves · 10 kn wind (0.9 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

0.1 m waves · 7 kn wind (0.4 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Wed7:00–9:00 moderate, 9:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 10 kn wind (0.7 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Thu7:00–11:00 moderate, 11:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 9 kn wind (0.7 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 7 kn wind (0.7 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Sat7:00–8:00 moderate, 8:00–18:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 9 kn wind (0.9 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Sun7:00–9:00 moderate, 9:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 6 kn wind (0.8 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:28 · Sunrise 6:52 · Sunset 18:00 · all windows sit within daylight

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.9 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 12:28 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Saint Andrew's Bay

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Red drum, Sheepshead, 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. January, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  2. February, 93% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  3. March, 90% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (67°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  4. April, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (2.0 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  6. June, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.2 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.8 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (87°F), waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.6 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.5 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots
  10. October, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.7 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  11. November, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (2.0 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  12. December, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.2 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots

July and August have typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

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.

Data updated July 2026

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.

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