Site Resources & Tools
Dive planning for Holmes Harbor
Site Briefing
Holmes Harbor is a dive site on Whidbey Island in Holmes Harbor. Can be used as the sheltered alternative when strong southerly winds blow out other sites or currents aren't otherwise cooperative elsewhere.
Freeland Park dock and eelgrass shallows are the main attraction.
Access: Freeland Park boat ramp and dock area. Picnic area, restrooms, and playgrounds make it a family-friendly staging area.
Marine life: Commonly seen: nudibranch. Regularly reported: eelgrass and jelly.
Conditions: The site faces north, so north winds tend to build chop at the entry. Check the site's wind forecast link before you leave home. Divers have reported current in past trip reports. Red tide events reported here.
Hazards: Lion's Mane jelly stings documented; long trailing tentacles can be hit before the jelly's bell is seen -- watch on ascent.
⚠️ Safety & accuracy
Before diving at Holmes Harbor, always check the site-specific wind/wave forecast, tide/currents, and recent reports (latest: Feb 10, 2025)! Reminder: Winds (even offshore winds) can impact slack time.
Briefings may be out of date or have inaccuracies. Dive within your training and experience. The first time diving a site, join someone familiar with the site and/or start on a mild day.
See our currents, tides, wind, and waves guide for help reading charts and planning current-sensitive dives.
The nearest NOAA current and tide stations within 25 miles are selected by default when available. Click a pin on the map below to choose another station for current, tide, camera, or buoy data (you may need to zoom in or out).
See an issue? Would you suggest a different default station or depth? Suggest briefing updates.
Nearby Stations
Bush Point Light, 0.5 mile NW of (44 ft) -- 4 miles away
Greenbank, Whidbey Island -- 6 miles away
Nearest Featured Dive Sites
- Keystone Jetty (~12 miles)
- Mukilteo T Dock (~12 miles)
Nearby Dive Sites
- Freeland Park (<1 mile)
- Holmes Harbor: Freeland Park (<1 mile)
- Mutiny Bay, Freeland (~2 miles)