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Home , Alki Beach Park, Artificial reef, Deception Pass, Nisqually Reach, Octopus Hole, Padilla Bay

Beneath Locations in North

Bellingham G Emerald 26 Waters 27 Scuba Diving Locations in Sucia Island: Sucia is a divers’ paradise 26 of rock walls, protruding ledges, systems and 33 nearby islands to enjoy. The north side of the island offers at least 31 Puget Sound two great wall dives; under Lawson Bluff and off Ewing Island at the NE corner of Echo Bay. All divers can find a comfortable depth along 30 32 Scaly Sculpin the boulder-strewn walls and kelp forests to enjoy large schools of rockfish, (including rare tiger rockfish), kelp greenlings, lingcod, San Juan many varieties of nudibranchs, scallops, starfish, and Island much more. Visibility in the bays can be poor, beware of boat traffic For More Information 28 Visitor Information: and fishing gear. Friday Harbor 35 experiencewashingtion.com Turn Point Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: 29 wdfw.wa.gov/viewing 27(Stuart Island): Anacortes Cabazon 34 wdfw.wa.gov/viewing/diving  Another great island wall dive, Turn J Washington Scuba Alliance: Point actually offers two distinct dive environ- Lopez Island wascuba.org/index.htm ments. The south side of the wall offers a (DAN): Rosario : A beautiful beach within stun- nearly vertical descent to 300’, with small diversalertnetwork.org 37 ning State Park, Rosario Beach offers several caves in its depths for adventurous divers to 20 NOAA & Currents: options for all levels of divers. There’s a long pebble beach entry to the find. The north side of the point is a gently slop- 36 tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov large cove, or small islands and rocky bluffs on either end. ing boulder garden to investigate macro life. Cur- 37 A premier site with rents are strong, plan your dive at slack with a small exchange. Grunt Sculpin Deception Pass: 38 38 steep, spectacular walls covered with invertebrates and home San Juan County Park: A great to large fish. It should only be dove by advanced divers with local knowl- 28 place to camp and dive with a variety of sites. SmallPox edge, as extremely strong currents make this site dangerous. Bay at its south perimeter is sandy and fairly protected. North Bay is also sandy and gives access to the park’s north State Park: Two dives shoreline. It also is the jumping off point to Low Island located make this an interesting dive destination. One is off the beach Whidbey 5-Lined Aeolid 39 to the marked by a white buoy and consists of cement pipes, just offshore. Strong currents make this an advanced dive better Island Nudibranch accessed by kayak or small boat. tires and scattered logs. The second is under the itself, where there’s 20 lots of life living amid plumose anemones and tubeworms. Lime Kiln State Park: 

29 A picturesque location along Haro Strait, Lime Kiln is 5 Fort Flagler:  This site is on the east shore of a Voluntary Marine Sanctuary that is a look at “old school” Puget 40 the park. An easy, but exposed, entry has a small, colorful Sound with a dense array of invertebrate and other marine life. artifical reef that is an easy swim. Coves on either side allow for entry and exit in protected Keystone back eddies, but the point itself has strong currents. Dive Safely Oak Harbor Dive within your ability, 41 : (MPA) Keystone Jetty is quite Puget Sound Reuben Tarte Picnic Area: and experience Quillback possibly the richest dive site 30 Offers rocky shorelines and a beautiful reef, level. Site conditions may To experience the whole array of species that live in Rockfish in Puget Sound for underwa- divers can explore either side of the cove, and investigate boul- vary from those described. the Puget Sound, be aware of the habitats you are diving in. ter life and is a marine pre- ders and rocky habitats where Puget Sound king crab, Irish lords, Divers are responsible for serve located on the south Eelgrass: Abundant in many places small fish and a host of invertebrate life await you. This area can be their own dive plan; 41 side of the Keystone Ferry along the fringes of Puget Sound, Eelgrass silty, especially when wind-driven waves are present. this is not intended as a I dock. Dive on the south side blades (up to 3 feet long) ripple in the H replacement. Jones Island: This small island park is ac- 39 and provide a place where salmon, of the jetty or among the old cessible from nearby Orcas or , and offers Port Townsend other fish, and shellfish feed and hide. 31 pilings located just offshore. several dive sites and reefs to explore. The reef off it’s north end is a Enjoy swimming through a sandstone structure descending to moderate depths and harboring small kelp forest and coming lingcod and other fish in small overhangs and caves. 101 40 face to face with lingcod, Keystone Jetty Kelp Beds: Kelps are one of the many types of seaweed kelp greenlings, and octopus Bell Island: A small island with rock 20 that inhabit Puget Sound. They are the forests of the nearshore amid plumose anenome and invertibrate covered boulders. There are ledges that are home to lingcod, rockfish and wolf . waters. They need a solid surface for 32 Marine Science Centers good shore facilities and a sandy beach to enjoy as well. attachment and are generally found in Doe Island: A protected bay with an island Bellingham Marine Life Center about 20-60 feet of water. The complex G Everett Scatchet Head: This is an undulating dive that is good for , diving and just plain ex- www.marinelifecenter.org • 360-671-2431 habitat they create is home to a wide 33 series of shallower sandy hills and gullys that have many ploring. Lots of kelp and rocks loaded with scallops, fish and more. 42 variety of fish and crabs. Port Townsend Marine patches of kelp that fish enjoy. These drop off into deep water to the H 525 James Island: There are many different Science Center southwest. Mud & : Although these flat areas may look like walls and rocky ledges on each side to explore depend- www.ptmsc.org • 360-531-0127 34 Possession Point Ferry: This is the deserts, they are more like produc- ing on tide and current. Kelp forests in several places offer hiding Whidbey Feiro Marine Life Center 101 Island large wreck of the Kehloken ferry, put down as an artificial tive grasslands. Thriving in sand and places for fish, colorful anemo- I 43 www.olypen.com/feirolab • 360-417-6254 45 reef along with piles of cement roadway and pilings. This is a huge area mud are swarms of clams, worms nes, and all the usual Mukelteo National 104 to explore with many different structures harboring sea life. The plumose and shrimp that get gobbled up by all critters of the deep. J kinds of fish and crabs. These habitats Estuarine Research Reserve Boat Dive Shore Dive anemone covered top of the wreck has become a nursery for schools of Scale (miles) provide the life-needs for creatures such as gobies, starfish and www.padillabay.gov • (360) 428-1558 42 44 rockfish. Deeper wreckage is home to huge lingcod with lots of inverte- 0 5 10 sea pens, a type of soft . 43 brates in between. Beware of boat traffic and strong surface currents.

Possession Point Fingers: Rocky Habitats: Rocky habitats A 40’ deep shelf drops off nearly vertically to deep water include current-swept walls, solitary 44 boulders, fields of stacked boulders, and State Park:  Directly with several “fingers” of clay and sandstone that have many ledges, aggregates of cobbles and gravel. Rockfish, 35 offshore from Friday Harbor is this jewel of a park and dive site. overhangs and caves to explore for large fish and octopus. lingcod, greenlings, sculpins and a unique Short rocky walls and boulder fields are covered with purple encrusting hy- Mukilteo: Access is down short stairs to Com- community of anemones, barnacles, , drocoral, and invertebrates that offer homes to many animals. The munity Beach downtown next to a hotel and the ferry dock. snails, and other invertebrates live in these wall off its east side is a deep drop-off and an exciting advanced drift dive. 45 The slope is fairly steep, so it’s a good place to practice deeper dives. habitats. The site should only be dove at slack, and divers should be aware of very strong currents and rotating downdrafts that can be extremely hazardous. There are many artificial reef elements that divers have placed to explore. Photography and Graphic Design by: Jack Connick Creative Services, Inc Currents can be moderate along the open slope. Map courtesy of IntegralGIS, Inc. Long Island: One of the best wall dives in the Writing and Editing by: Jack Connick, Wayne Palsson, Mary Lou Mills, Misty Klotz Pacific Northwest is found on its south side. Its steep, current- Coordinated by: Misty Klotz 36 Marine Protected Area Guidelines washed slopes are covered with strawberry anemones, sponge, barnacles Special Thanks to: Marine Science Centers, and Contributors Marine protected areas (MPA’s) prohibit the taking of all species of Sponsored by: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and invertebrate life of every hue. Overhangs and a cave are found deeper. Washington State Tourism and County Nearby Whale Rocks, or the south side of Iceberg Point, offer boulder-strewn invertebrates and fishes. The MPA’s also offer marine life a refuge terrain for a second dive. from fishing and poaching . For more information go to wdfw.wa.gov/fish/mpa/puget_sound/index.htm Giant Pacific Octopus

May 2009 Edition Beneath Emerald Waters Scuba Diving Locations in

Dalco 11 Ed Munro 18 Wall: Seahurst Park: This  If you want scenic park offers an easy, but fairly 104 to experience a spec- long, swim out to a largely decom- tacular deep drop posed . A very large field of off with interesting sea pens can be found north small overhangs 5 of the barge. Exploring 101 and caves, Dalco the barge you might Edmonds Wall is for you. find octopus and 1 Large fish and octopus abound, and if you’re lucky other animals. 104 you might have an encounter with a six-gill . Strong currents and down drafts make this an 12 advanced site. Three Sunrise Beach Tree Point 19 County Park: (MPA) North: The diversity Sunrise is a unique wall dive in a high current area of various man-made structures, that supports large animals used to human presence. 3 Poulsbo small boat wrecks and urban 2 Although a relatively small area, the system of small A Lingcod remains at this site is intriguing, and outcroppings continues from a kelp-forested wall at you never know quite what you’ll 35 feet down to a second wall at 80 feet. The site is full of fish and invertebrates. Living along the walls find living here. The artifical reefs 305 Decorated W elcome to one of the world’s largest and most productive inland seas, where divers can run parallel to shore at two depths 25 Warbonnet and under the outcroppings are several friendly wolf Bainbridge eels and octopuses. explore an amazing diversity of sea life and marine environments. Washington’s Puget Sound has and divers of all experience levels can find something to enjoy there, or Island Titlow Beach: (MPA) Located along the numerous islands, bays, estuaries, mud flats, and gravelly or sandy that provide the backdrop in shallow grass near the shore. Tacoma Narrows, Titlow Beach is a protected marine Currents are moderate and tend to 101 20 for this unique map. Through increased knowledge, awareness and active participation, you can help park set amid the pilings from an old ferry dock. A great site for all run southward, it can be dived at protect this diverse, yet vulnerable, natural heritage. B divers, it’s full of all sorts of life and relatively shallow. times other than slack and is a good 5 3 4 destination when south winds are 9 8 Z’s Reef: (MPA) A small ledge and short wall blowing. Bremerton just offshore from the north side of Fox Island is home to Bruce Higgins UW Trails: (MPA) A premier State Park: This urban island 21 wolf eels and octopus and small sealife of all kinds. All divers can dive site, developed for and about divers, the Edmonds Underwater offers camping, hiking, boat moorage and buoys as well as access to Salt Water 1 6 10 enjoy this boat dive. Park has it all; trails to small wrecks, large fish, interesting structures a fish reef on the south end. Its depths are moderate and broken concrete 13 State Park: 7 6 and much more. Great drive-up beach access and full facilities make it ruble offers concealment places for fish and invertebrates.The site is current Saltwater Park is a lush state park Fox Island East Wall: Fox Island one of the top diving destinations in Puget Sound. sensitive, and care should be given for boat traffic and fishing line. with good facilities located in a resi- 22 East Wall is a good place to experience several short, dential area with underwater trails but interesting, sandstone walls that have a great variety of Puget There are two areas Harper Fishing Pier: Site of an old ferry dock, 5 Boeing Creek Reef: and artificial reefs to enjoy. There is to this artificial reef built of boulders. The first is fairly shallow, this site has an abundance of small macro life. Follow the ropes to the Sound aquatic life. Dive at slack water. 2 7 a shallow reef and a long swim out 3 11 along a curved slope going down to 65’. This is a nursery for rockfish decomposed wreck of a small tug. to the marker buoy at the dive area, : (MPA) Although private and is very colorful with a prolific amount of life of all kinds. The sec- 24 Rich Passage: (MPA) Several dive sites are avail- otherwise it is suitable for all divers. 12 23 uplands, access is available for a fee from a local Hood- ond area is to the south, starting at around 65’ and going down much 405 able along the rocky reefs protruding into this very busy passage. sport dive shop. The site has two main areas; North Wall and Sund deeper. Larger fish and octopus can be found here. 8 Redondo 16 Strong currents are found and it’s difficult to anchor. The area encircling the Vashon Rock. North Wall is fairly vertical with short ledges going down to Beach: This Island 15 Alki Point Junkyard & Pipeline: navigation marker for Orchard Rocks at the entrance to Rich Passage is an 14 around 80’. Sund Rock itself is a series of large boulders and ledges improved site offers a variety of op- Historic Alki Point in boasts two great dive sites; MPA, closed to harvest. Fort Ward State Park is near to dive sites. 23 going down to very deep depths. Lots of rockfish and octopus can 3 tions for all divers to enjoy. Access is The Junkyard at the west end of Alki Beach Park and The Pipeline at be found there. Both dives offer something for everyone, from shal- Waterman Wall: At the southeast entrance to easy down the stairs to the beach on C low practice areas to deep tech diving opportunities. Constellation Park Marine Preserve. Both offer a great variety and num- 302 Bremerton, Waterman Point Light marks a wall that is a system of either side of the wharf that houses 13 ber of interesting fish and invertebrates for all levels of divers to enjoy. 9 106 ledges at 45’, 65’ and 85’ dropping off to very deep water. Divers can pick Highline College’s Aquarium. Swim Octopus Hole: (MPA) This rocky beach their own comfort level and explore the resulting small walls for life of all out and submerge from the ladder 24 is located along the green shores of , and kinds, including wolf eels and octopus. Anchorage can be found on either on the west end and go down the 19 14 features a short swim to a nice wall in shallow depths with lots of Gig Harbor 18 side in small, protected coves. Dive at slack water, watch for downdraft slope to find small boat wrecks and fish, some wolf eels and maybe even an 8 legged friend. currents, and beware of boat traffic. other man-made reefs. Look around 16 16 This is the charter under them to find octopus, sculpins E Pleasant Harbor: and small boat jumping off place for diving in the middle West Seattle Fishing Reef: and other fish hovering nearby. The Visit Washington’s Marine 25 17 of Hood Canal. Nearby sites include an incredible seamount called A large offshore boulder garden, this sandy slopes are a good place to 10 Science Centers The Pinnacle that allows a circular dive plan to enjoy both shallow artificial fishing reef is covered with plumose spot large skates and dogfish. New you’re looking to learn more about the unique marine life in D and deeper depths. Schools of rockfish, as well as octopus and wolf anemone and is home to many small fish in divers can practice their in If Tacoma Washington’s Puget Sound, visit one of the Marine Science Centers 20 eels can be spotted there. Other great nearby wall dives include moderate depths. This is an accessible the pipe obstacle course. 5 101 3 located in your area. Share this remarkable underwater world with Pulali and Misery Points. kayak dive from nearby . 21 16 KVI Towers others. Before you go call for hours of operation and fees. Dive at slack water. 22 Reef: 15 Poulsbo Marine A very nice, artificial boulder reef A Seacrest Park Science Center is located at the north entrance to Boat Dive Shore Dive www.poulsbomsc.org • 360-598-4460 Tramp Harbor just SE from the Scale (miles) end of the sandspit. Best done 0 5 10 Seacrest Park: This popular B as a boat or kayak dive, it is www.seattleaquarium.org • 206-386-4344 urban park offers three large coves with 4 accessible via a long walk on shore at low tides. It is a developed all sorts of different dives to enjoy. There’s little Marine Science & Technology and colorful reef, with many fish, octopus and other inverte- C current and a range of depths. From its shal- (MaST) Center Highline Community College brates to enjoy. Best dove on slack before flood. low, rocky to deep , http://flightline.highline.edu/MAST • 206- 878- 3710 with small wrecks and lots of sea-life available; Point Foss Waterway Seaport everyone can find their own favorite dive. Good D 16 Defiance: www.fosswaterwayseaport.org • 253-272-2750 facilities, access and one of the best views of The north side of this promi- downtown Seattle make it an enjoyable place for all nent point continues Point Defiance Zoo E levels of divers to enjoy Elliot Bay. downward with large & Aquarium sandstone boulders www.pdza.org • 253-404-3637 Blakely Rock: Close to and clay ledges. Seattle and with easy shore access for small boats The 5 Wolf eels and octo- and kayaks, Blakely Rock has many dive sites for divers Nature Center (not shown) pus are commonly and snorkelers to discover. To the east after anchoring on www.nisquallyestuary.org • 360-459-0387 found there. Dive at it’s top, there is a ledge going out SE with sharply plunging slack and beware of Les Davis Marine Park boulder-covered slopes. Cracks along its top are favorite boat traffic. hiding places for octopus. Resident wolf eels are usually found Les Davis Marine Park: (MPA) Les Davis under a small ledge on its north side. 17 has been improved and developed for divers in a convenient, urban China Wall is on Blakely Rock’s SW corner with a large crack starting at location along Tacoma’s Commencement Bay. The site consists of large slabs 65’ down to 85’ that rockfish enjoy. Further inshore at the NW entrance of hollowed concrete roadway gathered in large piles from shallow to deeper to the harbor is Norrander’s Reef. It’s rocky ledges are also accessible Female Kelp Greenling depths. Be sure to carry a knife, as large amounts of fishing line can be Wolf Eel from Rockway Beach Park on Bainbridge Island. found there. Do not swim eastward past the tire reef by the fishing pier.