Beginner Diving
Let’s Dive Together
Pensacola nearshore dive trips can be a great location for beginner scuba divers or divers that haven’t been in the water in a while. The secret is to be honest about your abilities and let us know that you are new or a bit rusty. We have several nearshore places that are shallower dives, such as the Joe Patti Barge or the Ocean Wind Tug that are in 35-60 feet of water. Does this mean they are “kiddie dives”? Absolutely not! Both are amazing dives and just happen to be closer to the surface. There are TONS of fish on both sites, and a great place for shell collectors to snag a few souvenirs from their dive. Typically, nearshore trips are great for beginner divers.
Our in-water dive guides are trained to work with new scuba divers or divers that may ask for a bit more attention than those who have many dives under their belt. We are happy to guide you around and show you the underwater world here in Pensacola.
We can also arrange for a private dive guide for you at an additional cost. Each dive professional sets their own private dive guide rates based on services requested, conditions, and schedules. Let us now and we can help with selecting a private dive professional.
Be sure to read our Trip Info page for detailed info about diving with Niuhi Dive Charters. Need to rent tanks or gear for your dive? Please visit our friends at Dive Pros Dive Center in Pensacola for a great experience.
Joe Patti Barge
The Joe Patti Memorial Reef is probably the second most popular dive site in Pensacola, right after the USS Oriskany, and more accessable to divers of all levels. This 175 foot long barge was sunk in 2013 and donated by the Patti Family. It is named after a fishing...
YDT-15
Originally designated YF-336 in 1942, this vessel was assigned to the New York and Potomac River Naval Commands before reassignment to the Naval District of Washington, at which point her name was changed to Suitland. In 1965 Suitland was assigned to the 5th Naval...
YDT-14
Originally built in 1942, the YDT-14 is one of two U.S. Navy dive tenders sank as artificial reefs in the year 2000. YDT-14 is mostly intact. In order to make the wreck safer for recreational divers, decking has been removed fore and aft of the bridge. The YDT-14 sits...
Three Coal Barges
In 1974, three steel coal barges broke free from their transport vessel on their way to reefing at another location. In order to prevent the barges from becoming a navigation hazard, explosives experts from the U.S. Navy sank them at their present location which is...
Russian Freighter (aka S.S. San Pablo)
There was a lot of mystery behind the sinking of the San Pablo in August 1944 which led to the local name of The Russian Freighter. The San Pablo actually spent her life as a fruit transport ship running from Central America to the United States. The "Russian...
Pete Tide II
The Pete Tide II is a 180′ former oil field supply boat that was sunk as an artificial reef in 1993. This fully intact wreck is one of the most popular sites in the area and always has a plethora of marine life surrounding it. The pilot house at the top of the...