Seacrest Park - Pacific Northwest

Seacrest Park is one of our go-to spots when we need a quick, reliable dive in the Puget Sound. We love how accessible it is, right there in West Seattle, making it perfect for a weekday evening splash or a training dive. The main draw here is the artificial reef structure-tires, old pipes, and the occasional sunken boat parts-which really draws in the smaller stuff. You’ll find a surprising number of critters making homes in the crevices, from scuttling slender crabs to shy snake pricklebacks peeking out. Our favourite is spotting the chunky sweet potato sea cucumbers wedged into nooks, sometimes swaying gently with the current. Visibility can swing wildly, as it often does around here, but when it’s good, the eelgrass beds sway like a prairie in the breeze, and you can spend ages just watching the shiner perch dart through them. We’ve seen Chinook salmon cruise through the area too, a real treat when they decide to make an appearance. It’s a shallower dive, generally staying above 15 meters, making it excellent for newer divers or those who just want a relaxed bottom time without stressing about narcosis or deco. The entry is simple, a gentle sloping beach, but do keep an eye on boat traffic, especially on weekends. It’s not about dramatic walls or huge pelagics here; Seacrest is about the micro-life, the resilience of a man-made reef, and the simple joy of getting wet close to home.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
47.588924, -122.379680
Type
shore
Maximum Depth
5-25m

Marine Protected Area: Richey Viewpoint Marine Preserve

Best Time to Dive in Pacific Northwest

The warmest water temperatures in Pacific Northwest occur in August, averaging 16.5°C (up to 15.6°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 6.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 7.1°C (air: 6.3°C)
  • February: 6.9°C (air: 4.5°C)
  • March: 7.7°C (air: 6.6°C)
  • April: 9.5°C (air: 8.7°C)
  • May: 12.0°C (air: 11.7°C)
  • June: 14.0°C (air: 13.7°C)
  • July: 15.7°C (air: 14.9°C)
  • August: 16.5°C (air: 15.7°C)
  • September: 14.3°C (air: 14.0°C)
  • October: 11.4°C (air: 10.5°C)
  • November: 8.8°C (air: 7.4°C)
  • December: 7.7°C (air: 5.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Pacific Northwest

Nearest Dive Centres to Seacrest Park

Marine Life in Pacific Northwest

Home to 38 recorded species including 18 reef fish, 7 crabs & lobsters, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 sharks & rays, 2 clams & mussels, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Seacrest Park

Based on average water temperature of 11.0°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 11°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories