Winchester Bay

Oregon
USA West
Home

The Crab Dock at Winchester Bay is a nice location for just about everything. We wanted to 'pull up roots' and move here once we realized everything this small community could offer. Plan on spending the day there just diving, crabbing, eating and soaking up the ambiance of this coastal town. By the way, if you like raw oysters, the best we've ever tasted are at a small factory/store located right there in the marina area called Umpqua Aquaculture. The oysters are cold, fresh out of the water, and opened in front of you. Yum!

Directions: Winchester Bay is located just South of Reedsport, on the Southern bank of the mouth of the Umpqua River. From 101 in Winchester Bay, turn North on Broadway, then an immediate left onto Salmon Harbor Drive. Wind your way to the water until you see the landmarks below.

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

06/13/2004 Michael T (Avg: 4.24 Review) - Diving the jetties from 1970 to present. Diving with the tides for slack water very good for fish and crab, also if you know where gaper clams are. Jetties are accessible with caution for all levels of divers with caution as to tidal currents from shore of off boat. North side of the South jetty is the best for fish, crab, clams. The water runs from 10 ft to aprox 60 ft visibility, best at high slack. The ocean water is usually clearer than the river.

01/08/2004 Anonymous (Avg: 2.66 Review) - We entered next to the crab dock which was really easy. The surf sloshed us around when we tried to put our fins on. The visibility was the "dive by brail" kind, maybe a foot of vis. Because of the vis, we say no wildlife.

06/27/2002 Gary Walker (Avg: 3.08 Review) - Follow the jetty road out to the coastguard tower dive the triangle jetty for first dives then go over into the channel for lingcod blue rock fish ect. bottom is 65ft dive at high slack

ShoreDiving Resources:

Additional Resources:

Dive Site Links: (If you have a relevant link for Winchester Bay, please write us here.)
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Site Photos

Maps
(what is GPS?) Photo
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Entrance
Map Sat
GPS: OR1001
N43°40.2942'
W124°11.5440'

You'll be entering from the road ahead of you. Parking is behind the sign.

Parking
Map Sat
GPS: OR1002
N43°40.3601'
W124°11.5112'

There is plenty of parking on the gravel pad. A picnic area is off to the right.

Overview

You'll be diving between the dock and jetty.

Entry
Map Sat
GPS: OR1004
N43°40.4414'
W124°11.5006'

Easy, sandy entry just left of the dock.

Scenery

The Prize! Actually all these crabs are too small to harvest, and will be thrown back. Take a scale with you to ensure you find the correct size. Also, be considerate of the crabbers above. They may otherwise get irritated if they see you come out with your limit in 20 minutes!

Last Verification: July, 2001

Diver Averages for Winchester Bay (1=worst, 5=best)

Average Site Condition
Ease of Shore Entry:	3.33
Bottom Conditions:	3.00
Reef Conditions:	2.33
Animal Life:	4.00
Plant Life:	3.00
Facilities:	3.00
Solitude:	4.67
Roads:	4.33
*Site Average:	3.33

Average Enjoyment Level
Snorkel:	2.33
Beginner Scuba:	3.00
Intermediate Scuba:	3.00
Advanced Scuba:	3.00
Night diving Scuba:	3.00

Number of reviews for this site: 3

264-4-2-10

Winchester Bay

Oregon USA West Home

Dive Site Links: (If you have a relevant link for Winchester Bay, please write us here.) No external links have been submitted.

Site Photos

Oregon
USA West
Home

Dive Site Links: (If you have a relevant link for Winchester Bay, please write us here.)
No external links have been submitted.