Diver down: great northwest shore dives

Scuba diver down on diving the waters of Washington State's Puget Sound and surrounding areas. Includes specific sites, the attractions of each and activities on site for non-divers.

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Diver down: great northwest shore dives

The sport of scuba diving was, at one time, more of an underwater fantasy world, far exceeding the grasp of curious land goers. Curtains of bubbles, fields of gently waving kelp, and the bustle of the seas, inhabitants were quite the colorful daydream. Technology has become a marvelous friend and companion over the past several years, as it has turned scuba diving into one of the most popular hobbies among men and women alike. There are many tropical locations that divers flock to each year, but it is often the lesser known, non-tropical areas that may be the most appealing to divers, a few of these being located in the state of Washington.

Redondo Point, in the Puget Sound region of Washington, is one such location. While the waters of this Puget Sound dive site are quite cold (as are most all locations in Washington), it makes the visibility very clear, as there is less plankton clouding up the water. Redondo is the wildlife enthusiast's paradise as a multitude of sea life can be located there. Sea pens are abundant as are smaller schools of fish and even a few octopuses, if one is lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one. Non-diver activities aren,t scarce at Redondo either. There are sheltered picnic tables and barbeque pits, horseshoe pits, and a playground for the little non-divers.

Titlow beach is quite possibly one of the most colorful dives in the Puget Sound. An old ferry terminal was once at home here, although nothing remains of it now but the bottle field of wood columns that acted as the support beams of the dock. A plethora of sea life now calls it home. Attached to the bottle field posts are what appear to be little sacs of water, but when touched squirt a little of their water at the intruder. Interesting little organisms, these sea squirts are. Sea pens, nudibranches, and sea urchins are scattered among the bottom. On quieter days, divers may feed pieces of broken sea urchins to hungry wolf eels. Hundreds of fish swim about, illuminating the water and creating curtains of shimmering silver. After the refreshing dive, one may enjoy a brisk rinse in the outdoor shower, as well as rinse their equipment. Dry quickly though, as the water is not heated. Non-divers may enjoy a picnic at the numerous tables, horseshoes, an exciting game of sand volleyball, or partake of the famous cuisine of the sea and indulge in a bowl clam chowder at Ivar's restaurant, located next door to the park.

Friday Harbor and San Juan Islands are the most beautiful dives in the Northern part of the state, located far enough away from the traffic of the busy Puget Sound to attract Orcas, dolphins, and even the occasional migrating seal. The lush green surroundings above water are seemingly mirrored below the surface by the abundant kelp beds. The rocky bottom also provides divers with the perfect opportunity to catch their dinner by netting a few crabs.

The Friday Harbor dive shop features special guided underwater tours of the San Juans.

Non-divers may wander around the small island of Friday Harbor, taking time to duck in and out of its many shops and relax in its well tended parks or sample fare from the many local restaurants. The ferry terminal housed at the western side of the island may be a welcome means of escape to non-divers who may take the ferry to Guemes or Lopez Island to explore their attractions.

Planning any of these trips is every bit as important as making the actual dive. Before taking the plunge, divers should take care to thoroughly examine their equipment to make sure that there are no leaks in tanks or hoses, and to be sure that everything is in perfect working order. Equipment should be able to withstand awesome pressure. It is also a good idea to have your tanks topped off, or filled completely, to the maximum safe capacity. For these tasks, you should know where the closest dive shop is located in the event that you do need to repair or buy new equipment. It is also an excellent place to get information on your dive location. Divers should not go into unfamiliar waters without knowing the conditions of the area. For example, a book of the times of high and low tides may be useful in planning the time of day your dive takes place.

Determine the maximum visibility of the location as well, since low visibility can detract from the experience, as well as creating the possibility of being separated from your dive buddy. Be aware of any and all boater traffic. Fly a diver down flag prominently and stay within 100 feet of it to ensure that boaters know that you are in the area. Currents can also threaten the safety of divers, so make sure that you are strong enough to withstand a strong current before diving.

When planning the actual dive, take into considerations factors like, how much time are you able to stay underwater with your air supply? Underwater activity has a great impact on this factor. Chasing crabs will undoubtedly use more air faster than simple sightseeing. And of course, know what depth you,re at. Most wildlife is located between 30 and 40 feet, and special air is needed past depths of 132 feet. Be sure to keep in mind that you may need to decompress before surfacing, depending on how much time you spent at certain depths. Be sure to keep enough air in reserve in the event that you do need to decompress. Above all, stay oriented. Become familiar with a compass and know where you are at all times. It is very easy to think that you are headed for the beach, when really you are quickly swimming toward a depth of eighty feet.

With the many wonderful dives in the world, particularly in the state of Washington, there has never been a better time to explore the wide underwater world. So grab your equipment, plan out the trip or your choice, stay safe, and just dive it.'sports

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