One hundred divers plunged into the waters around the Okaloosa Island Pier on Sunday for the final pier cleanup dive of 2026, hauling out nearly 160 pounds of debris in what the pier called a monumental success.

• The effort, led by Coastal Resources Coordinator Danielle Lasseigne, was the quickest cleanup dive the pier has ever conducted. Divers collectively removed 157.78 pounds of debris, including golf balls, rods and reels, a JBL speaker and large quantities of fishing line.

The cleanup was a collaboration between the Okaloosa Island Pier, Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Cory Mitrenga of The Gulfarium served as divemaster for the dive.

While divers worked underwater, Ocean Hour Okaloosa hosted a beach cleanup on land.

Divers also noticed a change beneath the surface. The pier’s depth at its end has increased to 26 feet, up from 22 feet before Tropical Storm Bertha.

The pier said events like the cleanup are part of its mission to be a conservation and eco-friendly destination.