What's the best south sound night dive spot?

[mz53480]

Hi all,

Looking to do an easy (shore) night dive in the south sound area.......your thoughts?
Thanks!

MZ

[Pez7378]

I would say, Redondo. Although there could be something better, Redondo offers the following amenities:

Easily accessible from I-5
Lighted Parking (although you do have to pay)
Easy Entry and Exit
Mild to moderate currents (with the occasional rogue thigh blaster)
Critters GALORE! Plenty of Octos, Sailfin sculpins, PSL's etc.
Easy to navigate terrain with Rope trails
Depths down to about 90fsw
Structure (Boats, Bottles, VW, RockWall, etc.)

Toss in a good buddy, and the cover of darkness and VIOLA! One of the best night dives around.

What more could you ask for?

[Grateful Diver]

Redondo ... hands down ... for all the reasons listed above.

It's a good day dive, but the night life is spectacular.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[Sockmonkey]

I would say, Redondo. Although there could be something better, Redondo offers the following amenities:

Easily accessible from I-5
Lighted Parking (although you do have to pay)
Easy Entry and Exit
Mild to moderate currents (with the occasional rogue thigh blaster)
Critters GALORE! Plenty of Octos, Sailfin sculpins, PSL's etc.
Easy to navigate terrain with Rope trails
Depths down to about 90fsw
Structure (Boats, Bottles, VW, RockWall, etc.)

Toss in a good buddy, and the cover of darkness and VIOLA! One of the best night dives around.

What more could you ask for?

Also in the summer months you can find gear rinsing showers and public bathrooms for changing that life way easy. There's a hose in the parking lot too if you're so inclined.

-Eric

[LCF]

I think Redondo is a fantastic night dive, but what does the OP mean by "South Sound"? If he's in Tacoma, it's a bit of a drive . . .

[rjarnold]

I would say, Redondo. Although there could be something better, Redondo offers the following amenities:

Easily accessible from I-5
Lighted Parking (although you do have to pay)
Easy Entry and Exit
Mild to moderate currents (with the occasional rogue thigh blaster)
Critters GALORE! Plenty of Octos, Sailfin sculpins, PSL's etc.
Easy to navigate terrain with Rope trails
Depths down to about 90fsw
Structure (Boats, Bottles, VW, RockWall, etc.)

Toss in a good buddy, and the cover of darkness and VIOLA! One of the best night dives around.

What more could you ask for?

Hm, in this region I've only done a night dive at Cove 2 and across from the Yellow House in Hood Canal. I think a night dive at Redondo is in order fairly soon...

[Grateful Diver]

Hm, in this region I've only done a night dive at Cove 2 and across from the Yellow House in Hood Canal. I think a night dive at Redondo is in order fairly soon...

... and be sure to let me know if you want a local guide to show you where all the cool stuff is located ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[rjarnold]

Hm, in this region I've only done a night dive at Cove 2 and across from the Yellow House in Hood Canal. I think a night dive at Redondo is in order fairly soon...

... and be sure to let me know if you want a local guide to show you where all the cool stuff is located ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Sounds great! As soon as Greg gets his salvo light fixed I'll let you know and we'll set a date.

[Tom Nic]

Gotta Vote for Three Tree North.

I wouldn't dispute anything said about Redondo, and it is definitely an awesome dive, but I'd also consider TTN.

TTN has simple entry, and a LARGE area to dive if you know the site. You can run into all kinds of life there - you never know what you are going to find at night. Plus, Three Tree North doesn't have the weird "rogue" down current that seems to be a regular occurence there as of late.

[Zen Diver]

Yep, 3 Tree is good, but I think for a night dive I'd still go for Redondo as well, and for all the previous reasons.

-Valerie

[jackieg]

Redondo...for all the reasons above and because I would be concerned about the neighbors at 3 Tree...

[Biodiversity_Guy]

From Olympia, Redondo is a bit of a long drive late in the evening. Especially when I-5 traffic is ugly.

Depending on how far south one is starting from, Les Davis can't be totally excluded from the south sound list. Vis is probably its biggest potental drawback, but it does have stairs in and out of the water. Lighted parking area, restrooms and a chance for decent vis depending on river discharge and other factors. Structure. Mud flats below. Red brotulas, starry flounder, and other fun surprises.

If best is used in a general sense, counting amenities as well as actual diving experience.

A night dive at Day Island is another great south sound night dive spot. You just need to be quiet and respect the fact that you are parked in a residential neighborhood so should act like a good neighbor. I have seen as many as 10 octos out and feeding on the wall at Day Island during a night dive. Awesome! And a lot of good diversity. IT IS CURRENT SENSITIVE.

[BASSMAN]

For me it is hard to decide between Redondo and Three Tree N. For the average diver, I would agree 100%, Redondo!
For someone who knows Three Tree? It is a "must do" night dive!

[Grateful Diver]

Although Redondo can get unexplained currents, they're infrequent. And FWIW - what we experienced on Sunday wasn't a downcurrent ... it was a rip current running north along the shore in the shallows ... below the pilings it was non-existant.

TTN is definitely a great night dive site ... some of the most amazing night dives I've ever had were there, most recently the ratfish scooter adventure with Sounder. But it'd be less than convenient for someone coming from south of Tacoma.

Les Davis can be a very nice night dive ... but I've learned to avoid it at night due to the fact that the parking lot has become a hangout for Tacoma gang-bangers. For safety reasons I prefer to stay away from places where youth gangs hang out ... too many of them are armed and stupid.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[BASSMAN]

Les Davis can be a very nice night dive ... but I've learned to avoid it at night due to the fact that the parking lot has become a hangout for Tacoma gang-bangers. For safety reasons I prefer to stay away from places where youth gangs hang out ... too many of them are armed and stupid.
.. Bob (Grateful Diver)

Good observation Bob, It's Sad but True!

[Grateful Diver]

Les Davis can be a very nice night dive ... but I've learned to avoid it at night due to the fact that the parking lot has become a hangout for Tacoma gang-bangers. For safety reasons I prefer to stay away from places where youth gangs hang out ... too many of them are armed and stupid.
.. Bob (Grateful Diver)

Good observation Bob, It's Sad but True!

Unfortunately so ... a fellow was beaten to death in that parking lot last year. Five punks between 16 and 21 years old were arrested and convicted of killing him. The motive was robbery ... they didn't even know the dude.

I no longer go there after dark.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[Biodiversity_Guy]

Wow, thanks for the heads up on LD. I had not heard that. I have seen the evening crowds, but so far have been left alone. No sense tempting fate however, much rather live to dive another day!

[cardiver]

Wow, thanks for the heads up on LD. I had not heard that. I have seen the evening crowds, but so far have been left alone. No sense tempting fate however, much rather live to dive another day!

I've never had any problems at night there other than having to answer the typical questions about diving while gearing up.
I also know that I've never had anything stolen at Les Davis.......More than I can say about Redondo.