Better Bottom Time Dive Charters

Hello, After docking the boat at Sun Harbor Marina for the last six years, we were moved from our prime spot on rainbow dock to an interior slip which made for a long walk with dive gear. We were given the opportunity to move the boat to  St. Andrews marina to a slip that is much easier to get gear to. As of April 1st 2013 we are in slip 100, the address is 3151 W.10th St. Panama City, Fl. 32401. The distance to the pass is less and the loading and unloading of the boat will be easier. In the coming months we will be offering more SCUBA opportunities, and I hope to be posting more info about the great diving being done here on the gulf coast.Thanks Capt. John

The past week has seen temps in the low 70s.  The winds have been low and so have the seas.  I hope this is a good sign.  Tradition shows that we will have a few cold fronts that come through in late Feb. and early Mar.  Hopefully the groundhog is right and we will have an early spring.

I am making some improvements to the boat this spring.  The first is a shelf between the two overhead supports for storage of things that we want to keep dry, it limits travel across the doghouse but I think more storage is better.  The second is the refinishing of the decks with stuff that is similar to Rhino-lining ( what they use on pick-up truck beds).  It should give better traction and more protection to the decks, and not being bright white it should be easier on the eyes in bright sun.

We will be starting a rewards program for our loyal divers, look for info about that in posts to come in the near future.  I look forward to diving with you all. Thanks  Capt. John

The year started out well, a little cold and windy on the first, but a few hardy souls went out for the fourth annual new years day dive. Jan. and Feb. were slow but steady with water temps a little warmer than usual.  In March things started to pickup and by April we were diving daily.  Then, on the 20th of April BP screwed up and very quickly the perception was that the gulf was coated with oil.  In fact the diving around Panama City was very good.  It wasn’t until mid June that the oil finally did show up.  On June 20th while diving the Hovercraft, oil sheen and tar balls moved across the site. We traveled four miles east to clean water for our second dive, but diving was over for about three weeks until we were sure that the water was clean and safe for everyone.

The rest of the summer was busy.  Southeasterly winds kept the oil well to the west of us,and the weather was calm.  In Sept. Better Bottom Time  was involved with The 3rd Annual Atlanta Aquanauts Dive Fest for SUDS (Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba ). This was our second year of participation and plan to continue helping such a great cause in the future.  It is a fund raiser for the program: the more divers we have the more we can donate, look for posts later in the year.

Winter arrived early and has been long and cold, water temps hit 51 and it’s been cold front after cold front keeping temps down and seas up. Things are starting to change, with forecast temps to be in the 70′s by the weekend.  With a little sunshine and warmer air, the water will warm up soon!

I hope to post something once a week.  I look forward to a great year of diving with all of you.  Thanks for your time.   Hope to see you soon!     Capt. John

Better Bottom Time Dive Charters offer divers some of the best scuba diving sites on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Scuba divers from all over the United States and the world repeatedly come to Panama City Beach to enjoy world class diving on our wrecks and reefs. Most of our wrecks and reefs are within an hour boat ride and vary in depths from 25 to 120 plus feet. We offer custom trips for advanced levels of divers and also spear fishermen.

Captain John Luzny is a USCG licensed Master 100 ton Captain who has spent over 25 years fishing, diving, and sailing the waters of the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. He has logged over 2000 dives himself and has the knowledge of where the best conditions exist. You can be assured you will have a safe and fun trip and will return with great memories ready for your next trip.

NAUI Certified Dive Master Kelly Davis grew up in Panama City on the Gulf Coast. Kelly has been diving for 15 years and has made hundreds of dives. The Boat Better Bottom Time is a 30ft Island Hopper boat which was built in Ft. Pierce Florida in 2004 specifically for diving. Licensed for 22 passengers, this comfortable boat can accommodate up to 14 divers. The walk-through transom and the safe and easy ladder are another feature to assure your comfort and safety. Come dive with us and enjoy the variety of over 50 dive sites to choose from in the Beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Running dive trips daily from the Sun Harbor Marina, Hwy. 98 at the base of the Hathaway Bridge.