Diving Tacoma Narrows

[diveguy1]

Greetings!

Is the Tacoma Narrows diveable right now? I'm curious as to whether the area is not open/advisable to dive due to the new bridge construction.

Also, can anyone recommend a charter boat to dive the Narrows or that general area? I'm looking to dive sometime in the next 2 weeks somewhere around there...

Thanks for any info. you can provide.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Hey Diveguy1, welcome to the Board!

What's it like diving on the remains of ol' Galloping Gertie? Isn't it kind of deep?

 

[TheFoggyMask]

Isn't there a vicious current running through that area?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Parts of it are diveable ... other parts are off-limits due to the construction.

Contact Bandito Charters. Rick Meyers knows the area quite well ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TSandM]

Yes, the area around the Narrows is current-swept, and it is important to dive at slack -- or you can dive with Rick off the Bandito and do a drift there. I've done that, and it was a pretty wild ride!

 

[Cold_H2O]

I agree you need to contact Rick at Banditos.
The Narrows are swift and deep. I can't think of a better Captain to dive it with.

 

[PinkPADIgal]

The deepest point in the bridge area of the channel is 232 feet. Most of the old bridge is 90-200 feet and it is a quick ride. While majority of the old bridge is out of recreational limits, there is still a lot to see. Because of the construction, you cannot dive under the bridge or anywhere close to where the crews are working. I cannot wait to get back under and dive it again. From what I understand, we are looking at Late 2007.

In 2003, the Tacoma News Tribune did a great article about the old bridge and even had a great map of Gertie. They interviewed a lot of local divers. I kept the map for a while and then when I moved, it got lost.

One of the dives you can do in the Narrows is at Mile post 8. It is a great drift dive to see cool life and just get a great ride. As the others have mentioned, Banditos is the way to go.

 

[seamonster01]

I lost that map too, I later found it again on the Tacoma News Tribune website. I dont know if it is still there.
The west side of the narrows is off limits.(including a couple of good fishing spots) I am not sure about the east side.