Divers looking to maximize their dive experiences are flocking to the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City Beach. The destination's location in the Northwest corner of Florida makes it easily reachable by car -- translating into a shorter lag time for divers. And with more dive sites than other areas in the South, diving aficionados will need all the extra underwater time they can get.

Known as the "Wreck Capital of the South," Panama City Beach provides the greatest variety of dive sites of any area. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico encourage rapid growth, making the area an excellent home and breeding ground for all types of exotic sea life. Sea turtles, giant Manta Rays, puffer fish, sand dollars, blue marlin and horseshoe crab are just a few of the species that inhabit the emerald waters.

Divers have their choice of natural, historical and artificial reefs in the waters off Panama City Beach. The area's historic wrecks include a 441-foot World War II liberty ship; a 220-foot tug, The Chippewa; a 160-foot coastal freighter, the S.S. Tarpon; the 100-foot tug, The Chickasaw; and the 110-foot tug, The Grey Ghost; as well as the Gulf of Mexico's most famous wreck, the 465-foot Empire Mica.

There are 50 artificial reefs off Panama City Beach, a project of the community-coordinated Panama City Marine Institute. These include Stage I, Stage II, fifteen 160-foot-long and 35-foot-high bridge spans, ten barges, the City of Atlantis, the LOSS Project and many more.

The natural reefs range in depth from 80 to 100 feet and are just a few miles offshore. These reefs range in height from three to eight feet and are teeming with sea life, including small corals and colorful sponges. Closer to shore, the jetties at St. Andrews State Recreation Area are popular snorkeling sites. The best time of the year for diving in the waters off Panama City Beach is between April and September. Parties of up to thirty people can enjoy both inshore and offshore diving. Crafts include 32-foot to 48-foot fiberglass customized and converted crew boats and all carry U.S. Coast Guard-approved safety equipment. Several full-service dive shops in the area offer customized packages and snorkeling gear.

Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of silky, white-sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The Northwest Florida destination enjoys recognition as a top U.S. beach from Conde Nast Traveler, The Travel Channel, USA Today, Southern Living, Dr. Beach and the Clean Beaches Council. Family attractions, championship golf courses, sporting events, delectable dining, predictably sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw visitors to this seaside destination annually. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-5070) or visit http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.