OIL DOCK - EDMONDS

SITE CLOSED: I am retaining this site review as an example of the valuable resources that can be lost to the SCUBA community if we don't do everything we can to protect and fight for them.

Let me start by saying that this site has an extremely long surface swim that can be quite challenging. Be sure to check tides and winds for this dive site. If the water is moving, it makes it for a very unpleasant surface swim and there is no underwater shelter because the water is an average of 10 feet deep until you get to the actual site, at the end of the dock.

Hazards here include floating logs in the water, and the possibility of some serious currents.

For your dives, follow the pilings on the dock until you get to the end, then start your descent close to one of the pilings. The depth here ranges from 20-60 feet and if you get outside the pilings, you will find a steep drop off.

It is very common to see large numbers of very friendly Ratfish here, as well as Hermit Crabs, Pile Perch, Starfish, and Anemones. Be sure to look up on the pilings. Most of them are covered bottom to top in sea life.

Parking for the Oil Dock is good and very close to the water. The only restroom facilities are portables, but there is a dive center nearby in case you forget something or need a fill.

Directions from I-5 North:

  • Take the 220th ST SW exit - EXIT 179 - toward MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
  • Turn RIGHT onto 220th ST SW
  • Turn LEFT onto WA-99
  • Turn RIGHT onto 228th ST SW
  • Turn LEFT onto 95th PL W
  • Turn RIGHT onto EDMONDS WAY/WA-104
  • Take WA-104 W toward KINGSTON FERRY
  • Turn LEFT onto W DAYTON ST
  • W DAYTON ST becomes ADMIRAL WAY
  • Drive all the way to the end of the road
  • Arrive at MARINA BEACH PARK (498 Admiral Way)

Directions from I-5 South:

  • Merge onto 244th ST SW/WA-104 via EXIT 177 towards EDMONDS/KINGSTON
  • Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto EDMONDS WAY/WA-104 W
  • Take WA-104 W toward KINGSTON FERRY
  • Turn LEFT onto W DAYTON ST
  • W DAYTON ST becomes ADMIRAL WAY
  • Arrive at MARINA BEACH PARK (498 Admiral Way)