Diving & Snorkeling

Diving

Unveil a world teeming with marine life at Navarre Beach. From vibrant fish to graceful sea turtles, there’s no telling who you’ll meet as you swim silently through clear waters. The Deepwater Nearshore artificial reefs are designated for scuba diving, so keep an eye out for where you can dive safely.

Snorkeling

Gentle currents, excellent visibility, and diverse marine life make Navarre Beach ideal for snorkelers of all skill levels, with many opportunities to marvel at the natural beauty that lies beneath the surface. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned snorkeler, Navarre Beach offers a captivating underwater adventure.

The Navarre Beach Marine Park Gulf Snorkel Reefs are a man-made, artificial reef system habitat for the shallow and sandy bottom waters of Florida Gulf ecosystem. Just 100 yards from shore, you’ll find yourself in 9 to 15 feet of pure underwater fun. Don’t forget to grab a flotation device for added safety and keep an eye on those beach warning flags and weather updates, while still respecting the power of the Gulf.

• You must provide your own snorkeling/diving equipment
• Dive flag required at all times while diving or snorkeling
• Spearfishing not allowed March 1 – October 31 per county ordinance 94-19

EAST SOUND SIDE REEF
The East Sound Side Reef is the smallest of the reefs, located to the northwest of the Sandpiper Pavilion. The East Sound Side Reef is marked on all 4 corners with pilings that are marked with signs reading “Snorkeling reef, No motorized vessels.”

GULF SIDE REEF
The Gulf Side Reef may be the hardest to find, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Located directly south of the Sea Oat pavilion, the site only has signs on the beach. The reef is marked by two large PVC posts positioned on the sand dune and is 340 feet south of the mean tide line.

WEST SOUND SIDE REEF
The West Sound Side Reef is the largest of the sound side reefs with a footprint approximately equal to a football field. The West Sound Side Reef is marked on all 4 corners with pilings, all clearly marked with signs reading “Snorkeling reef, No motorized vessels.”

DEEPWATER “NEARSHORE” ARTIFICIAL REEFS
These reefs are located about one mile off Navarre Beach. More than 500 modules were deployed to create 27 individual reef sites or patch reefs. The objective of these artificial reefs is to enhance long-term recreational fishing and diving to Navarre Beach.