Des Moines Wreck  |  USA: Pacific Northwest

Large Wreck,

The wreck was apparently a 55ft wooden hulled yacht that sunk in 1994 near the Des Moines Marina. It has since been overgrown with plumose anemones and is teaming with fish life, everything from ling cod, to rock fish and countless perch. The boat is still standing with its bow pointing West, although the starboard side has collapsed and the top is entirely open (no fear of getting trapped inside). There is another small aluminum boat located off the SE corner of the wreck, but otherwise there is literally nothing out here but a flat sandy bottom.

This is a relatively safe dive in an area where current tends to be mild and the depths aren’t too deep. Have fun!

The boat is easily found using a depth finder. About 1 mile west of the Des Moines Marina (or 4 miles North of the Redondo boat launch) locate the impressive three tier staircase in front of Normandy Beach Park and head North West along following the shore at a depth of 45-50ft. The boat will rise up about 10ft from the bottom. The bottom is otherwise flat and sandy so you’ll know when you’ve found it. It is about a 60° heading from the wreck to the staircase.

If you are ambitious enough to try this one from shore (not recommended), then you’ll have to find your way to Normandy Beach Park and locate the beautiful three-tiered staircase there. Then lug your gear down that incredibly tall staircase and enter the water right in front of you. The boat is at 45-50ft deep on a 300° heading. Undershoot it a bit and swim to your depth, take a right and follow the contour of the bottom and hold the same depth and you’ll come right up on it. The bow of the boat is pointing West.

Special thanks to Scott Boyd for telling us how to find this site!