Panama City, FL: June 17, 2026 — Destination Panama City is seeking sponsors and community partners to support the LovePC Snorkel Reef, a proposed downtown artificial reef project designed to support marine habitat in St. Andrews Bay, improve the downtown shoreline experience, and create a new snorkeling attraction for residents and visitors.

The project would deploy 50 engineered EcoSystems reef units behind Destination Panama City’s Visitor Center at 101 W. Beach Drive, adjacent to Hotel Indigo, pending approval by the Destination Panama City board of directors at its July 21, 2026 meeting. Walter Marine I LLC has submitted a proposal for the construction and deployment of the reef, which will be considered by the board as part of the approval process. Each unit features a distinctive layer-cake design – concrete discs embedded with Florida limestone and stacked vertically on fiberglass pilings – creating a complex, multi-level habitat that supports juvenile fish and marine life while providing a visually engaging underwater experience for snorkelers. The units are engineered for a 100+ year life cycle.

The reef is intended to help restore an area impacted by historical dredging while creating long-term environmental, recreational, and community value for Panama City.

Walter Marine I LLC, established in 1968 and recognized as the Gulf Coast’s first commercial artificial reef builder, has deployed more than 75,000 artificial reef units across the U.S. East Coast, Gulf, and Mid-Atlantic. The company has previously deployed similar snorkeling reefs in Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Perdido Key, and South Walton County, Florida, all of which remain fully intact and active.

The LovePC Snorkel Reef reflects Destination Panama City’s continued efforts to support responsible tourism growth and strengthen the connection between downtown Panama City and St. Andrews Bay. Once mature, the reef has the potential to provide habitat for marine life, encourage coastal regeneration, and give residents and visitors a new way to experience the bay.

This project is managed and primarily funded by Destination Panama City using tourist development taxes and private donations. This project is not funded by local property taxes.

Donations will be received through the Foundation for Parks and Recreation Community Support, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, making contributions tax-deductible. Destination Panama City is currently seeking local businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in supporting the project or learning more about how they can get involved.

Community members and potential sponsors can learn more and submit an inquiry at DestinationPanamaCity.com/lovepc-snorkeling-reef.

For more information, visit DestinationPanamaCity.com.