SALTWATER STATE PARK -
DES MOINES, WA

This site is very popular with the general public, so expect it to be crowded if you are diving on a sunny day. You may likely find people shore fishing, barbequing, and collecting rocks and shells.

The parking lot is large, but it's best to get there early to be able to park close to the water. Bathroom facilities are clean and close, and they have an outdoor shower (located right before the parking lot) to clean your gear.

Because this is a state park it is very well taken care of. Unfortunately there has been talk about a lack of available funding to keep it operating and it may end up being closed to the public at some point.

The park is open from 8am to 9pm during the summer, and 8am to 5pm in the winter.

SITE HAZARDS:

  • Boat traffic gets very close to the reef. Bring your flag and don't surface too close to the reef.
  • This is a very tide and current sensitive site so make sure you time your dive well. It is best to go during a slack tide or small exchange.
  • There is no protection from the current.
  • Be prepared for a long hike to the water, and a long walk in the water before a long surface swim. (NOTE: If you think Edmonds Underwater Park is too long of a swim, don't bother trying this site.)

WHERE TO DESCEND:

There are three big white buoys at this location. Surface swim to one of the two closest to the beach. One is south and the other north. Start at the southernmost buoy and, after descending, follow your compass northwest until you reach a depth of 45 to 55 feet (depending on tides). At this depth follow your compass north and you should run into the first reef. The reefs are large piles of rocks with large cement poles, about the size of a telephone pole.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE:

Here you may find large lingcod, ratfish, crabs, and a varied assortment of nudibranchs. Once you explore the rock reef, swim east (back to the beach) and you will run into an old reef comprised of tires and wood logs at about 35 feet. This area is teaming with plumose anemones, starfish, and bull kelp.

Directions from I-5 North:

  • From I-5 S, take the WA-516 exit, EXIT 149, toward KENT/DES MOINES
  • Turn RIGHT onto S KENT DES MOINES RD/WA-516
  • Turn LEFT onto WA-509
  • Turn RIGHT onto S 251ST ST/WA-509
  • Turn LEFT onto 8TH PL S
  • 25205 8TH PL S # 1 (Salt Water State Park) is on the RIGHT

Directions from I-5 South:

  • From I-5 N, take the S. 272ND ST. exit, EXIT 147
  • Turn LEFT onto S 272ND ST
  • Turn RIGHT onto 16TH AVE S/WA-509
  • Turn LEFT onto WOODMONT DR S/WA-509. Continue to follow WA-509
  • Turn LEFT onto S 252ND ST
  • S 252ND ST becomes 8TH PL S
  • 25205 8TH PL S # 1 (Salt Water State Park) is on the LEFT

Special thanks to Michael Johnstone II for the use of some of his site images!