Joe Patti Barge
Book NowThe 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 boat captain who founded the world famous Joe Patti Seafood Company in 1935 and is still in business today in Pensacola.
The barge has numerous steel structures welded to deck. The metal artwork was created by Kevin Marchetti, The Renaissance Man, who’s skill and talent created all the images and plaques displayed on the barge. The various art truly represent all things Pensacola. You can even “sit at the Flora-Bama bar” underwater! The barge lays in 50 ft of water with the top of the wreck at about 35 feet. The Joe Patti Memorial Reef is a great scuba diving site to see TONS of fish. It is well established, and you often find lots of schools of baitfish and spadefish in the water column, and all the tropical fish down on the barge. Often, the wreck is hard to see from the surface due to all the baitfish. Lots of sand dollars and starfish decorate the sand, and its a great spot to collect shells. This shallow wreck is great for junior divers that are restricted by depth.
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