TECHNICAL DIVING
Technical Diving Welcome in Pensacola!
There is a large community of technical divers here in Pensacola, and we are set up to accommodate your unique needs. Captain Andy and most of our dive guides hold technical diving certifications and are well versed in procedures and assisting with decompression and extended range diving, doubles, sidemount diving, heliox and trimix diving, as well as rebreathers. We do not require the trip to be a technical diving trip only, and we often mix recreational and technical divers on the same charter.
Our large, covered back deck space can handle the additional gear typically seen with tech trips. Even our tank racks have been designed to strap in doubles setup. No more having to leave your gear laying at the bottom of the boat.
Technical divers are expected to provide a written dive plan to the Captain, which includes planned travel routes, decompression schedule, and total dive run times. Rebreather divers will need to spend a few minutes with the captain or divemaster explaining their individual rigs. Divers are required to produce proof of certification for the level they plan to dive.
If you need assistance or have questions about technical diving in the Pensacola area or specific sites that are better for tech, please call us with any question and we may be able to provide you with detailed information that could help you with planning.
Are you interested in moving into technical diving? Would you like a tech instructor to guide you? We highly recommend you reach out to Barry Shively with Below 130 Diving. He is a well respected and accomplished technical diving instructor based in Pensacola. He also has the best stories we’ve ever heard.
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...
USS Oriskany
The USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) also known as “The Great Carrier Reef” is a 904ft long US Navy aircraft carrier. The Oriskany saw significant combat service in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars. She was intentionally sank as an artificial reef on May 17, 2006. This wreck...
Tug Born Again
Purposefully sunk as an artificial reef on January 24, 1991, the 65-foot Tugboat Born Again is partially intact with twenty-one 19ft sections of metal pipe extending from her decking. She currently rests in 95ft of water with her upper sections settled at about 65ft....
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...
PC Barge
Sank in 1995, The PC Barge is now a deck suspended 6ft from the bottom upon a hollowed-out frame in 81ft of water. Galvanized radio tower sections rest in the sand on each side of the barge. It make for a good dive with easy underwater navigation. Lots of marine life...
Oops Barge
The wreck got its name when it sunk about two miles from its original location all on her own on October 2, 1995. It was originally slated as an artificial reef. The 65ft steel barge now rests in 75ft of water with about 5ft of relief. What's left of this barge still...
Navy Barge
A steel barge intentionally sunk in 1993 as an artificial reef, the Navy Barge now rests in 82ft of water.Navy BargeMax Depth: 82 ft Top of Wreck: Legnth: Width: Distance from Pass:Additional Pensacola Dive Sites
Liberty Ship Joseph L. Meek
The 480ft long S.S. Joseph L. Meek was a WWII Liberty Ship built for the Maritime Commission by the Oregon War Industries Ship Building Company in 1942 and reefed in 1976. She was one of. the "ugly duckling" ships rapidly constructed in civilian shipyards during...