Port Townsend

Port Townsend dive site, Port Townsend, WA, US
Photo: Joe (Mydivingsites Actual)

Port Townsend is a shore dive in Port Townsend, WA, US, from 1.2–9.1 m (4–30 ft). North Beach offers an easy entry dive with a mild slope and shallow depths, typically no more than 30 feet. While marine life is sparse, divers can enjoy scenic views of the North Cascades and San Juan Islands on clear days.

Site details

Entry
Beach/Shore
Depth
1.2–9.1 m (4–30 ft)
Environment
Ocean/Sea
Entry effort
Easy (5 of 5)
Surface swim
15 m (49 ft)
Coordinates
48.14261, -122.78197

Site briefing

North Beach is right on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, right across from Whidbey Island. There's mild to moderate current during the exchanges, and the wake from large container ships may show up on entry. You'll likely be no deeper than 30 fsw / 10 msw. In the shallows there's a lot of eel grass and futher out you'll get into kelps. Sandy bottom otherwise. There are few critters to see here. Great views out to the North Cascades on a clear day and the San Juan islands in the distance.

Entry and route

Gear up in the parking lot, and walk down the beach into the water. The slope is mild, with some cobbles and kelp along the way.

Tides and currents

  • Nearest NOAA tide station: PORT TOWNSEND (9444900)
  • Nearest NOAA current station: Point Wilson, 0.6 mi. NE of (PUG1623)

MyDivingSites forecasts tide, current, swell, and weather for Port Townsend hour by hour.

Dive reports from Port Townsend

3 logged dives, average rating 3.3 out of 5, average visibility 2.7 m (9 ft).

  • Aug 22, 2026 · JUSTIN · visibility 4 m (13 ft) — The fish were out. Lings, Rock and many more.
  • Jun 7, 2025 · Joe · visibility 2 m (7 ft) — Running a transect line for Reef Check training class. This dive was for identifying kelps. Vis was clearer at the very bottom, 10-20' max. Seen: Eelgrass, Sugar Kelp, Winged Kelp, Feather Boa Kelp, Wire Weed, Three-ribbed Kelp, Five-ribbed Kelp, Acid Weed.
  • Jun 7, 2025 · Joe · visibility 2 m (7 ft) — Dive 2 of the training day - this time running a transect for characterizing the bottom composition Seen: Mottled Star, Kelp Crab, Eelgrass, Sugar Kelp, Rock Crab, Wire Weed, Three-ribbed Kelp, Five-ribbed Kelp, Acid Weed.

Marine life seen here

  • Acid Weed (Desmarestia ligulata) — seen on 2 dives
  • Eelgrass (Zostera marina) — seen on 2 dives
  • Five-ribbed Kelp (Costaria costata (likely - can have variations)) — seen on 2 dives
  • Sugar Kelp (Saccharina latissima) — seen on 2 dives
  • Three-ribbed Kelp (Laminaria ephemera) — seen on 2 dives
  • Wire Weed (Sargassum muticum) — seen on 2 dives
  • Feather Boa Kelp (Egregia menziesii) — seen on 1 dive
  • Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta) — seen on 1 dive
  • Mottled Star (Evasterias troschelii) — seen on 1 dive
  • Rock Crab (Cancer productus) — seen on 1 dive
  • Winged Kelp (Alaria marginata) — seen on 1 dive

Nearby dive sites

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