How deep is Redondo Beach (Des Moines)?

Redondo Beach (Des Moines) has a depth range of 3–30.5 metres (10–100 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive Redondo Beach (Des Moines)?

Redondo Beach (Des Moines) is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Open Water certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Redondo Beach (Des Moines)?

The best time to dive Redondo Beach (Des Moines) is typically Night dives year-round; winter (Nov-Mar) for lumpsuckers and best visibility. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Redondo Beach (Des Moines)?

Divers at Redondo Beach (Des Moines) in United States commonly report sightings of Pacific red octopus, Stubby squid, Pacific spiny lumpsucker, Giant Pacific octopus, and Sailfin sculpin. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Add the first photo

AdvancedShore entry

Redondo Beach (Des Moines)

Washington, United States

Open Water suggested3–31 m depthShore entry

Redondo Beach (Des Moines) at a glance

Redondo Beach (Des Moines) is a advanced shore dive site in Washington, United States with depths of 3–30.5 m (10–100 ft). Typically most favorable Mar–Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Pacific red octopus, Stubby squid, and Pacific spiny lumpsucker. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 3h ago

—

Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Boat ramp traffic - stay clear of the launch lane, mild currents, silty bottom easily stirred up, fishing line near the pier

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

No dive windows in this week’s forecast — no stretch of daylight hours scored favorable or moderate for this site.

First light 12:04 · Sunrise 12:40 · Sunset 3:50

Source: Open-Meteo marine · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Pacific red octopus, Sailfin sculpin, Spotted ratfish

Best time: Night dives year-round; winter (Nov-Mar) for lumpsuckers and best visibility

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

Jan99% 0.1 m
Feb99% 0.2 m
Mar100% 0.2 m
Apr100% 0.2 m
May100% 0.1 m
Jun100% 0.1 m
Jul100% 0.1 m
Aug100% 0.1 m
Sep100% 0.1 m
Oct99% 0.2 m
Nov99% 0.2 m
Dec97% 0.2 m

March, April, May, June, July, August, and September havetypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Pacific red octopusCommonly seen
Stubby squidOccasionally seen
Pacific spiny lumpsuckerSeasonal
Giant Pacific octopusOccasionally seen
Sailfin sculpinCommonly seen
Spotted ratfishCommonly seen
Sunflower starOccasionally seen
Dungeness crabCommonly seen

Polyorchis penicillatus recorded here Jun (2 records)
most recent 2013
Actiniaria recorded here Sep (1 record)
most recent 2007
Aphareus rutilans recorded here Sep (1 record)
most recent 2007
Aulorhynchidae recorded here Jul (1 record)
most recent 2011
Cancer productus recorded here Jun (1 record)
most recent 2013
Chrysaora colorata recorded here Sep (1 record)
most recent 2018
Cottidae recorded here Sep (1 record)
most recent 2007
Crossaster papposus recorded here Jun (1 record)
most recent 2013

Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Underwater Sports6.2 km
Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00 hours from OpenStreetMap — call ahead
Report a fix
Tacoma Scuba16.1 km
+1-253-238-1754 tacomascuba.com
Tu-Fr 12:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-17:00 hours from OpenStreetMap — call ahead
Report a fix
Underwater Sports23.5 km
Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00 hours from OpenStreetMap — call ahead
Report a fix

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

One of the most popular training and night-dive sites in south Puget Sound, on the Redondo waterfront boardwalk in Des Moines next to the MaST Center aquarium. A gentle sandy slope holds guide ropes (shallow line ~50 ft, deep line ~100 ft), sunken boats, a VW bug and other debris that act as artificial reef. It is famous for muck-style critter hunting - red octopus, stubby squid and Pacific spiny lumpsuckers on night dives - with easy stair entry next to the boat ramp.

muckshorewreck

Boat ramp traffic - stay clear of the launch lane, mild currents, silty bottom easily stirred up, fishing line near the pier

Reviews

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