photo: jeremy chevalier,
What Lies Below:
THEPERFECTDIVE.COM
DESCEND BENEATH THE FJORD Darnell Foskett | Hoodsport ‘N Dive One of the most remarkable features of the area is Hood Canal. This body of water entices swimmers, crabbers, shrimpers, kayakers, and recreational boaters alike to carry out their activities from its surface. Have you ever gazed upon the Canal and wondered – What lies below? Many scuba divers as well as free divers and commercial harvesters can answer that question for you. We have a wide variety of life thriving in these waters; from seals to salmon, flatfish, to jellyfish, wolf eels to anemones, and more, you are sure to encounter amazing wildlife when scuba diving at The Cove. Dungeness and Red Rock crab are the best for eating, just ask our local octopuses! Clams, a favorite food of starfish, as well as oysters, are prolific in and on the rocky beaches. Both are available for harvesting in season with a license or for purchase at local eateries and stores. Periodically an orca will pass through and a six-gill shark will be sighted at deep levels. Rockfish, sea cucumbers, nudibranchs,
squid, and dogfish are just a few more creatures that live in these waters. Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but up close and personal viewing leaves one in awe. Come experience an awesome creature encounter, like this Giant Pacific Octopus, by scuba diving at The Cove. The Cove is an underwater wonderland accessible via a pass purchased at Hoodsport N’ Dive. This dive sight offers parking, outdoor shower, indoor gear up area, and restroom. For more information go to hoodsportndive.com. What lies below? Come and see…
Top Hood Canal Dive Sites
Following is a list of the top dive sites of the Hood Canal as rated by Betty Pratt-Johnson’s 141 Dives in the Protected Waters of Washington and British Columbia (1977); Stephen Fischnaller’s Northwest Shore Dives (2000); as well as diver’s blog reviews, including Scott Boyd's Emerald Sea Scuba and Nicolle Prat's Pacific Northwest Scuba.
1. EAST OF HOOD CANAL BRIDGE – This is a more intermediate shore dive requires
you time your swim out to the dive area right before the beginning of slack tide, so that the current pulls you out to the bridge, then you can save your energy for the swim back. On your swim out to the bridge you pass through eelgrass beds, which are teeming with perch, soles, shiners and other sea creatures. When you reach the concrete bridge supports you are greeted by a fantastic display of plumose anemones and many different types of nudibranchs. Be careful of boat traffic and pace yourself for the long swim to and from the bridge.
27 Photos:Darnell Foskett
FJORD
