-  Local Charters are available  7 days a week throughout the year.  Captains control their own schedule and maintain their own bookings. 

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Local Charter Boats

We recommend the following local boats:

"Due South" - Capt. Dalton Kennedy - 26' Glacier Bay Catamaran.   Capt. Dalton specializes in local trips to all of the most popular sites, including the USS Oriskany and Spearfishing charters.  Carries a maximum of 6 divers.

Phone (850) 565-7247.  Website - www.duesouthcustomcharters.com

3 Wire Charters / "H2O Below" Capt. Douglas Hammock - 36' Newton Custom dive boat.  Specializes in trips to the USS Oriskany and larger groups to all area dive sites.  Carries a maximum of 16 divers. 

Phone (850) 291-3501  Website - www.ussoriskanydiver.com 

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-  All boats have a minimum number of divers required to run a trip.  Minimums of 4 divers are common.

-  During the summer months, Inshore trips often fill up to 2 weeks or more in advance, and Oriskany trips often book months ahead.  We strongly recommend reserving your seats as far in advance as possible. 

- On inshore trips, specific dive sites are usually selected by the Captain on the day of the trip based on dive conditions, diver requests, and diver experience. 

- Spear fishing is permitted on many regularly scheduled charter trips.  Make sure you ask the captain before planning on spearfishing on a trip. 

- Charter Boats are privately owned and do not provide tanks or weights.  To expedite the rental process, we recommend reserving equipment ahead of time.

- It is customary to tip the crew of any charter boat anywhere you dive. The crew works hard to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable trip.

- Boats range in size from 26-40' in length and carry 4-16 divers.  Boats are inspected according to Coast Guard requirements.

     

- All boats recommended by MBT are operated by Coast Guard licensed and insured captains. 

- All divers must present a valid C-Card to board any dive boat and may be asked to show a logbook with applicable experience.

   

* If you will be bringing your own tanks to the shop for refills, please make sure that all inspections are up to date, and that NITROX tanks have been certified "clean for oxygen service". 

As of January 1st, 2004, we will no longer be able to fill any cylinders manufactured by the Walter Kidde company, or any Luxfer cylinders made before July of 1988.  We apologize for any inconvenience, but safety is our prime concern!

 

Private professional dive master services are available for any dive trip for an additional charge.

 

Regularly scheduled dive trips include:

Oriskany Dive Trips - 2 dives on the largest artificial reef in the world -  the sunken aircraft carrier USS Oriskany!  Depths range from 70-135 feet for  recreational divers.  Departure and return times vary.  Specific rules apply for Oriskany trips - see  Diving USS Oriskany for details.

2 Tank Trips - 5-6 hour trip to some of the more popular wreck sites, out to 12 miles. Depths from 15' to 100', with an average depth of 70-85'. Normal departure time is 8:00am.  During peak season, afternoon trips are also available - typical departure time is 2:00pm.

Night Dive Trips - 1 and 2 tank trips available to some of the more popular wrecks and reefs. Normally scheduled for the first Tuesday of every month, available other times by request. Departure time is normally 6:00pm.

Spear fishing Specialty Trips - 2 or 3 tank trips with sites specifically chosen for the spear fishermen.  Local, state, and federal regulations are strictly adhered to!  Price varies by trip.

Special Events - Exclusive trips are offered during special events in the area, such as the Blue Angels Pensacola Beach airshow and the 4th of July, combining a day of diving with a front row seat to the events. These trips go fast so book early! Price varies by trip.

-Complete an equipment checklist prior to leaving home.  Most commonly missed items include mask, booties, weights, and gloves.

- Make sure all of you equipment is in proper working order prior to leaving for the dock.   Assemble all of your equipment and check: Regulators, O-Rings, mouthpieces, computer batteries, BC Inflators and dump valves.

- Make sure you have appropriate C- Cards, tables, dive logs, etc. 

-  Bring plenty to drink and stay well hydrated - no alcohol please!  Dehydration is one of the most common factors in DCS and sea sickness.

- Bring warm dry clothes to change into.  Even in the summer, it is possible to become chilled while out on the water after a dive.

- BRING AND USE SUNSCREEN!

ALL DIVERS MUST PRESENT A VALID CERTIFICATION CARD BEFORE BOARDING ANY CHARTER DIVE BOAT