Dive Edmonds Underwater Park

Edmonds Underwater Park attracts divers from around the world because it’s a marine protected area. In addition to the pristine underwater life, it has many other perks for diving.

Facilities

The parking lot is only a step away from the beach—It’s like a ski in-ski out resort for diving! There’s a full bathroom facility complete with a changing area. An outdoor freshwater shower is available to rinse off during the warm months, but it is closed during the winter. Our local retail dive center, Edmonds Underwater Sports, is a few blocks away from the dive site. They have everything you need to dive—tanks and weights, air fills, and a full rental department. The staff at Edmonds Underwater Sports are always friendly and cultivate the type of community PNW divers embrace. They sell $10 underwater maps of the park as a fundraiser for the maintenance of the trails created by legendary Bruce Higgins. The Edmonds UWS facility is one of five Underwater Sports locations around the Puget Sound area of the Salish Sea. They have been sponsoring our dive team for years and believe in develop a strong and supportive dive community in our area.

Park Hours

Edmonds Underwater Park is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Night divers need to obtain a special permit from the City. Parking around Edmonds, including in the park, is 3 to 4 hours.

Shop local

There are lots of great shops and restaurants to explore around Edmonds. Main Street leads directly to Edmonds Underwater Park and is a hub for our community. Shop local to support our community!

Marine Life

The abundance of life and especially large lingcod are what the park is known for. Since the park is a protected “no take zone”, life thrives. Check out our species identification key to learn all about the species you’ll find.

Navigation

The underwater navigation system makes Edmonds Underwater Park unique. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteer diving crew, there is an underwater grid system of trails that run east/west and north/south. Divers can follow this gridline, made more visible by the red algae that covers the ropes, and road signs to help guide them throughout the park. A compass is essential for navigating.

Click through the slideshow below to learn our navigation tips!

Red algae covers the rope gridlines

Conveniently, red algae covers the rope lines to make them more visible. The lines run east/west and north/south.

Red lines stand out

In the summer when green sea lettuce covers the sandy bottom, divers have to look extra close to see the red lines.

Signs mark the way

Each line in the park has its own name and quirky features. Jetty Way is like the Mainstreet of the park because there is so much life. Look for the Jetty Way signs covered in plumose anemones.

Cathedral sign

Cathedral Way is marked by signs of yellow, sawed in half scuba cylinders

Jetty Way pipes

If you see these long pipes, you know you’re on Jetty Way. The pipes run east/west along the rope trail until the intersection with Telegraph Way at the third buoy.

Pipes of life

Not only do these pipes on Jetty Way serve as a great navigation tool, they also host an abundance of life! Check inside for resident lingcod.

Cinderblocks

Cinderblocks help keep the rope in line.

Crosses

Cross structures mark the intersection of two lines running perpendicular to each other. To head back into shore, take a compass heading for east (90 degrees) and follow the line that points in that direction.

Lingcod mark the spot

Sometimes, you might run into a lingcod perched on these structures.

The Lopez Pontoon

This sign marks the Lopez Pontoon, a large structure by the west edge of the park boundary.

Spools on Triumph Way

Large spools line Triumph Way heading north/south. Head north on Triumph Way from Cathedral Way to find the Lopez Pontoon.

Slinky

If you find yourself swimming through a slinky, you may be between Jetty Way and Enhancement Way.

Sword in the stone

A quirky feature of the park, you may test your strength here at the beginning of Jetty Way.

Three pipes

Another structure you may find along Jetty Way.

Jetty Way anchor

This large anchor is right by the first buoy on Jetty Way. When navigating from shore, we look for this large structure to know we are close to Jetty Way.