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LOCATION
Portofino Island Resort & Spa
10 Portofino Drive
Tower 3 Unit 1404
Pensacola Beach, Florida 32561
Vacation Rentals: 404.384.5980
Map & Directions | Email
Swimming Safely
The sugar-white sand and emerald-colored water of our pristine beaches provide a great place to have fun, but be aware. When you go swimming, think about it. Don't just dive in. Make sure the water is deep enough. Don't surf unless you can swim, and never swim alone. If you go to the beach by yourself, go to an area where there are lifeguards.
The Gulf of Mexico has tides, currents, and washouts. Be aware of them. If you are caught in a washout, don't panic. Swim parallel to the beach until you can swim toward the shore without struggling. Look for the surf warning flags. A green flag means calm conditions - swim with usual care. Yellow denotes rough surf or likely currents - swim with special caution. Don't swim if red flags are flying. This means dangerous conditions. If there is no flag flying, there is no lifeguard on duty, and a surf advisory is not available. During electrical storms, get off the beach.
For a fun and safe day at the beach, also see our beach safety section.
- Please don't take anything made of glass onto the beach.
- Only leave your footprints.
- Swim with a friend and never go on your own.
- Make sure there are other people around.
- Swim where there is a lifeguard.
The Mighty Oriskany
The retired aircraft carrier Oriskany (1945-1976) was successfully reefed on May 17, 2006, approximately 24 miles southeast of Pensacola Pass to become the world's largest artificial reef! At 911 feet in length, the "Mighty O" is an exceptional destination for divers and will soon become a hot spot giving anglers the opportunity to reel in popular game fish such as grouper, snapper and amberjack.
EOD divers confirmed that the ship is sitting upright in the north-south orientation. Her island can be approached at 67 feet in emerald-clear water where visibility averages 80 to 150 feet. From the island divers can scan the seemingly endless flight deck sitting at 137 feet, a depth considered a technical dive. CNN dubbed The Mighty Oriskany the "Great Carrier Reef."
