All year round, divers from across the globe visit the Seaport City of King County, known as Seattle. It is a popular destination for divers of all skill levels to come for an expedition or learn how to scuba dive. Some of the best scuba diving in Washington State can be found near Seattle.
The unpredictable temperatures of the waters conceal hundreds of ears of artifacts beneath them. Divers will set out to explore the cool waters of the Pacific Northwest to witness the shipwrecks and marine wildlife in them at different sites.
Nowhere else can a diver find a giant pacific Octopus all year round, and when the winter season comes, you will have frequent encounters with curious seals who are curious at the shores.
If you are coming from outside the city, dive travel typically begins with landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Alternatively, there are multiple other ways to get to the city. The accommodation facilities in the city will depend on the diver’s budget and preference. This is because Seattle has many establishments that cater to different price ranges and needs.
Divers visiting Seattle for the first time need to understand that diving in the Pacific Northwest requires a bit more equipment to contend with because of the chilly waters. Visiting a local dive shop will help you get the gear that you need before you set out to explore. Below are some of the amazing sites that Seattle offers to divers:
1. Seacrest Cove 2
Seacrest Park is a popular access point for new divers in Seattle. Numerous visitors flock to this diving site yearly, a long strip along West Seattle’s Harbor Avenue. The park has 3 coves that you can visit that feature a range of underwater habitats, and the coves are numbered from 1 to 3 from east to west.
Of the three popular coves, Cove 2, also known as Alki Cove 2, is located just right of the fishing pier and is the most popular of them. The divers can visit this site through an entrance from either side and enjoy several routes while diving.
The site is blessed with remains of the old Seacrest Marina. There are several pilings, fishing dories, and steel girders. Seattle scuba diving, The most incredible thing about the site is it has a properly mapped exploration plan with yellow buoys guiding visitors on areas not to dive, ensuring that you remain on the shoreward side when you visit the site.
The maximum depth is about 70 feet, and visibility can average up to 35 feet at the saltwater dive site. If you are a more experienced diver, you can venture deeper to see the I-beam by following the ropes under the buoy line. There are a couple of sunken boats that you will see while making this trip.
The only restriction you have while exploring Seacrest Cove 2 is staying outside the buoy line. This is because there is an active water taxi dock. Bringing boats here is discouraged owing to the potential for accidents with divers or the water taxi.
2. Redondo Beach
This dive site has beautiful and easy shore diving for divers with different experience levels. It is possible to visit the site at any time of the ear, but there is a spike in divers during winter because water clarity will be at its best. Seattle scuba diving, However, if you plan to make that trip during winter, you need to gear up with a dry suit or a wet suit with thermal insulation, as water temperatures can drop to a range of 45 to 55F.
At shallow depths near the shores, divers see different species, such as squid, sand bass, ratfish, and octopus. Once you venture deeper, you will see possible leopard sharks and horn sharks. Other marine species you can witness in Redondo Beach include White Seaperch, calico bass, and bat rays. The most interesting discovery while diving is a stove and a Volkswagen.
The beach is easy to access as there are stairways from the parking lot. Once you enter the water and dive nearly 300 feet from the beach, you can encounter a steep wall that drops down to a depth of over 70ft. if you are still new to scuba diving, you should avoid descending the wall. Experienced divers will witness interesting marine creatures hiding in the nooks and crannies.
3. Les Davis Marine Park
This marine park is located on Ruston Way along Tacoma’s Waterfront, and the dive in the waters features an artificial reef. The artificial reef system on the Les Davis Marine Park is made of old blocks of Galloping Gerdy Bridge. Seattle scuba diving, The reef starts about 25 feet from the shore and extends past 80 ft.
It is a popular training site for new divers, and you can enjoy several plants and animals beneath the waters. One of the most interesting sights is when seals visit the area.
The park offers multiple amenities, such as restrooms that you can use to change tour gear and freshen up after a dive. It also has a picnic table for enjoying the scenery before or after a dive and a small concession table.
If you are visiting the area for the first time, you should be extremely careful walking down the main access point. The stairs are crumbly, but local divers hope to fix them soon once they get the approval from the City to do so.
Final Say
If you are seeking a site to explore marine wildlife or witness the wreckage beneath the Pacific Northwest waters, Seattle is the place for you. Remember to carry an underwater camera to capture all the beautiful moments you witness, as your friends might claim the stories you have from the dive site are untrue.