Diver Reviews:    (Please share your own experiences by clicking here!)

09/29/2007 Dave Washburn (Avg: 2.85 Review) - The first time we went here it was very nice. The walk/swim to the barge was long but not arduous, and we found lots of cool critters on and around the barge (which is more like a pile of sand with pieces of junk sticking up here and there). Lots of rockfish, nudibranchs, even a nice kelp greenling. Our second try was a disaster because we got there late and the current had picked up. We never got to a descent point because we couldn't make any headway and got tired enough that it was dangerous. We gave it up and went to Redondo instead. Use the Narrows current predictions to get a general idea when slack is and time it as best you can, because the barge is a long way out there and you don't want to be in a strong current on your way to or from it.

03/15/2004 Franco (Avg: 2.48 Review) - Was very disappointed in animal life. I think I saw like one fish and maybe 2 crabs. The reef was just a pattern of tires and rope. Entrance was a little difficult, had to walk and jump log to log to get onto the beach.

08/20/2003 Les (Avg: 1.97 Review) - The algae on the surface made for a nasty surface swim out and in. There was a slight surface current which didn't help the swim. But worst of all, the visibility at depth was about 3-4 ft due to algae. We weren't down long and saw nothing. I wont be back. We paid the $5 parking fee and some of the bathrooms were closed.

07/06/2003 Walt Tanimoto (Avg: 3.23 Review) - Best to dive this site is during winter months, the summer algae bloom tends to reduce bottom visibility to 10 feet. No night diving at this site, the park closes at 9:00 PM. This is a great site for beginner divers, or tune up dives. The surface swim is not as bad as other divers make it out to be. However, now add a $5.00 parking fee at this state park.

10/28/2001 Kim (Avg: 3.12 Review) - Not the greatest site I've been at. It has a really, really long shore dive and there is very little left of the barge to see.

10/22/2001 Steve (Avg: 2.48 Review) - You can park near the water and its easy to get in the water, but the surface swim is difficult unless you're in shape especially if its windy and choppy like the day when we were there (mid - October). The buoy is not tied to the wreck, you have to go deeper to find it. The wreck is mostly disintegrated. Vis was 25 ft. There was some ratfish, perch, kelp, crabs and barnacles. The only thing that was abundant was the barnacles. I don't recommend this sight and won't go back. It would be good for an open water class due to the shallowness of the first 200 yards and rocky bottom.

10/16/2001 Janna Nichols (Avg: 3.52 Review) - Mostly sandy bottom, with tire reefs, and an old rotting barge. Lots of fish and critter life around the tires and barge. Easy entry, great facilities, some current. Easy sloping bottom.

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Diver Averages for  Salt Water State Park  (1=worst, 5=best)