Experience an Underwater Adventure at Hood Canal

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By Douglas Scott

lucky dog casinoFor those unfamiliar with Hood Canal, the region is full of stunning views, amazing hikes and some of the best sunrises and sunsets in the Pacific Northwest. Above the water of the Hood Canal, glaciers recede, mountain goats pose and Olympic National Park begs to be explored. Fantastic restaurants, spas, hotels and camping line the shores sea level, though they seem few and far between thanks to the large swaths of nature in every direction. However, if you’re looking to explore one of Hood Canal’s most prized features, you’ll need to don your diving gear.

Nearly all the best dive spots on Hood Canal are right next to Highway 101! Photo by Hoodsport N Dive.
Nearly all the best dive spots on Hood Canal are right next to Highway 101! Photo by Hoodsport N Dive.

Below the surface of the Hood Canal exists and entire world dependent on the tides. And it isn’t just the spot shrimp, salmon, geoducks or the occasional orcas that are bringing in visitors. Scuba enthusiasts from around the world come to experience Hood Canal’s stunning dive areas, undersea animals and the local history that dwells within its chilly waters. Conveniently located just a stone’s throw away from Highway 101, getting in the water is close and convenient.

However, despite being well-known among the scuba community as one of the premier diving destinations in the Pacific Northwest, few have ever experienced the underwater world of  the Hood Canal firsthand. Hoodsport N Dive can change that, though, thanks to the numerous certification classes it offers. With locations in both Olympia and Hoodsport, getting the information you need to begin your underwater journey is as easy as popping into one of Hoodsport N Dive’s two locations or browsing its detailed website.

For those already certified, there are dozens of destinations that are waiting to be explored, each offering views more unique than the last. From anemones and rockfish to wolf eels, squat lobster, octopus and more, it seems like there is a never-ending supply of awesomeness right below the surface of the Hood Canal.

Seeing a wolf eel on a dive is almost guaranteed. Photo by Hoodsport N Dive.
Seeing a wolf eel on a dive is almost guaranteed. Photo by Hoodsport N Dive.

For many, the most popular spot to go is Sund Rock, a destination boasting some of the best animals, underwater views and even a shipwreck. Located in the Sund Rock Marine Preserve, access to this destination is limited to those who go. The easiest access point is owned by Hoodsport N Dive who helps keep the area protected by charging a $16 fee. The fee is a drop in the bucket for what you get out of the experience. This area attracts both technical and recreation divers thanks to its location away from any currents.

“The fee goes into general maintenance of the site,” explains Anita Floyd, a scuba instructor at Hoodsport N Dive with more than 19 years of diving experience under her belt. “The fees help move rocks back into place after storms or large tides, parking lot upkeep, and maintaining the restroom.”

“Sund Rock is an incredible site to dive,” Anita adds. “There are four distinct locations. There is a shipwreck that is only 45–50 feet underwater, a large wall with wolf eels, a fishpond wall that is a 100-foot dive and the south wall that is known for Giant Pacific Octopus sightings.

While Sund Rock is a favorite Hood Canal dive spot, many divers get their start diving off of Potlatch State Park. Though Potlatch may lack the stunning sites of Sund Rock, it does have a steady sloping bottom that goes over one hundred feet deep. It also reveals a variety of creatures that live in the sand, including — but not limited to — starfish, sea pens and moon snails.

Wolf Eels can be up to six feet in length, and are common in Hood Canal. Photo by Hoodsport N Dive.
Wolf Eels can be up to six feet in length, and are common in Hood Canal. Photo by Hoodsport N Dive.

Octopus Hole is another designated conservation area along Hood Canal that is incredibly popular among divers. Just three miles north of the popular community of Hoodsport, Octopus Hole is also one of the more accessible places to dive along Hood Canal. Offering stunning glimpses at octopuses, lingcod, wolf eels and more, diving the walls out there are easily accessible and free. This site is said to be great for all levels of certification.

Finally, one of the all-time classic diving spots along Hood Canal is called The Pinnacle. The destination here is a giant irregular rock. The rock is is approximately 80-feet-tall and is located four miles away from the Pleasant Harbor Marina. The Pinnacle is massive and is home to numerous large creatures that hang out in the waters of Hood Canal. Squat lobsters, crabs, wolf eels, rock fish and octopuses are commonly seen by the open water and advanced divers who explore the area.

Diving in Hood Canal is an adventure and one of the best experiences the Pacific Northwest has to offer. With stunning underwater views and incredible ways to enjoy the natural world above, it’s no wonder why those who know about the beauty in the region keep coming back. Where else in the world can you stand on the top of a summit to watch the sun rise over Mount Rainier and end the day watching the sunset over the waters you just explored? Only Hood Canal.

 

 

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