Emerald Ocean Dive Charters

From easy shallow reefs to the world's largest artificial reef — the USS Oriskany — Emerald Ocean Dive Charters puts Pensacola's best Gulf diving within reach for divers of every skill level.

Emerald Ocean Dive Charters operates out of Pensacola, Florida, running dive charters across the Gulf of Mexico to hundreds of sites within a short distance of the pass. The operation is led by Captain David Forrester, a USCG-licensed and insured captain who grew up in Pensacola and started the charter in 2017. Trips range from easy shallow sites like Double Patti to midshore and offshore destinations up to 25 miles out, and extend to Alabama-area locations for divers seeking even further exploration. The charter's signature destination is the USS Oriskany — an Essex-class aircraft carrier sunk in 2006, 24 miles south of Pensacola, and billed as the largest artificial reef in the world. Both recreational and technical trips are offered to the Oriskany, making it accessible to advanced open water divers and technical divers alike. Spearfishing is another specialty, with lionfish harvesting trips available and the captain carrying extra spears and Zookeepers on board. The vessel is the Stacie Nicole, a 28-foot Grady White Sailfish built in 2000 and repowered in 2019 with twin 250 Suzuki outboards. She features custom tank racks, two fish boxes, a forward cabin with changing area and full-size head, and a custom dive ladder. An experienced Dive Master is always on board, and safety equipment includes USCG-approved life jackets, multiple Garmin GPS systems, HD radar, emergency oxygen, and an EPIRB.

Dive details

Dive trips

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Where you'll dive

Pensacola, United States

What you'll see

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