Dolphin Beach - A Beautiful Deep Wall Dive
Dolphin Beach is a classic deep-wall shore dive in Nanoose Bay and a favourite for experienced local divers. It sits just a short distance from Tyee Cove, and many people pair the two sites by entering at Dolphin Beach, diving the wall, then continuing all the way to Tyee Cove and exiting there. After dropping gear at the picnic tables, it’s an easy five-minute walk back to your vehicle.
This site must be entered at a high tide, ideally above three meters. The shoreline is rocky, with a narrow path between large boulders, so take your time on the way in.
Videos including Dolphin Beach
Recommended certifications and experience
Dolphin Beach is considered an advanced-level shore dive due to its rocky entry, long swim, and the depth of the main wall. While not a technical site, divers should be comfortable managing gas, navigation, and buoyancy in deeper water.
Most divers should have:
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- Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent
The main wall ranges from recreational depths down toward 100 feet, and good control at depth is important. - Recent cold-water experience
You’ll be climbing over boulders on entry, and the dive often involves long swims and deeper profiles. - Nitrox certification (recommended)
The wall sits mostly below 60 feet, and many divers choose 28–32% to extend bottom time, especially if planning the swim from Dolphin to Tyee Cove.
- Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent
Helpful but optional:
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- Experience with shore diving navigation
Locals use the “highway” as a landmark, but visibility varies and the wall is easy to overshoot if you're not paying attention. - Comfort with longer swims
The traverse to Tyee Cove can take 10–20 minutes at shallow depth, so efficient finning and gas discipline matter.
- Experience with shore diving navigation
If you’d like guidance or a local orientation, one of our divemasters can accompany you and lead the route safely.
Dolphin Beach dive site profile overview
A deep, dramatic wall with multiple routes and plenty to explore. Dolphin Beach offers several unique profiles depending on your plan.
Highlights include:
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- The “highway”, a distinctive flat strip of bottom that helps navigation
- A steep main wall lined with boot sponges, feather stars, and plumose anemones
- Rockfish species including quillback, yelloweye, and vermilion
- Large lingcod and occasional Puget Sound king crabs
- Wolf eels and Giant Pacific octopus tucked into shelves and cracks
- An optional long traverse to Tyee Cove, popular among experienced locals
Route notes:
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- Right along the highway: leads toward Tyee Cove, great for those planning a multi-site swim.
- Straight north: brings you to the valley and main wall in about 8–10 minutes.
- Turn-around option: follow the wall until it ends, hook right along the sand, find the highway again, and return to your entry.
Gas planning is critical, especially for the Dolphin-to-Tyee swim. Most divers use steel 100s or larger for comfortable gas reserves.
What to expect on your Dolphin Beach dive
Dolphin Beach begins with a rocky, high-tide entry, so take your time navigating between the boulders on your way into the water. Once you descend, you'll land on the broad strip of flat terrain locals call the highway, which serves as the main navigation line for the site.
From here, you can head straight north to the dramatic main wall or follow the highway right toward Tyee Cove. Visibility varies throughout the year, but the structure of the site makes orientation fairly straightforward.
Underwater, you can expect:
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- A steep wall covered in feather stars, large boot sponges, and plumose anemones
- Multi-layered rock contours with cracks, shelves, and overhangs
- Long, relaxed swims if you're planning the Dolphin-to-Tyee route
- A mix of macro and wide-angle subjects along both the wall and the highway
Marine life at this site is excellent and may include:
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- Giant Pacific octopus
- Wolf eels
- Puget Sound king crabs
- Quillback, yelloweye, vermilion, and copper rockfish
- Lingcod
- Ruby octopus
- Stubby squid
- Grunt sculpins
- Seasonal schools of perch and baitfish
The wall eventually transitions into sand, giving you a clear cue to turn and loop back toward the highway if you're returning to Dolphin Beach. Or, if you prefer the longer route, you can shallow up to around 60 feet and continue on to Tyee Cove, where you can exit at the picnic tables and walk back to your vehicle.
This is a spectacular but demanding site, and proper gas planning is essential, especially if you're attempting the full traverse.
