Revision 8/24/2009 4:41 PM
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Salt Water State Park
 Des Moines, WA |
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If you’re looking for a relatively easy dive with great facilities and picnic areas, this is it. The smooth entry and sandy bottom takes you straight out to an interesting wreck. A wooden barge was sunk here in the early 70’s, and continues to be a refuge to a plethora of marine life. If you are new to shore diving, this is a good spot to get your feet wet! Directions: About 10 miles South of Seattle in Des Moines. At Exit 149, take 516 West. In about 2 miles, go South on Marine View Drive. You’ll hit the park in about another mile.
The first time we went here it was very nice. The walk/swim to the barge was long but not arduous, and we found lots of cool critters on and around the barge (which is more like a pile of sand with pieces of junk sticking up here and there). Lots of rockfish, nudibranchs, even a nice kelp greenling. Our second try was a disaster because we got there late and the current had picked up. We never got to a descent point because we couldn’t make any headway and got tired enough that it was dangerous. We gave it up and went to Redondo instead. Use the Narrows current predictions to get a general idea when slack is and time it as best you can, because the barge is a long way out there and you don’t want to be in a strong current on your way to or from it.
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/Washington/Salt_Water/index.htm