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STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA
The Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary feature rocky reefs, underwater walls and kelp forests which are home to a wide variety of colorful invertebrates, including the world's largest octopi and evasive Wolf eels. Water visibility ranges from 30' to 75' depending on the location, with winter and early spring being the best dive seasons.
Sekiu Jetty
The tiny town of Sekiu (an Indian word meaning “quiet waters”) overlooks the west side of Clallam Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and is a well-known commercial fishing and dive destination. The Sekiu Jetty is a colorful dive; you will see nudibranchs, Lingcod, rockfish, greenling, schools of mysids, sponges, red, green and purple sea urchins, amphipods, and sea squirts. The real treasure, however, lies amongst the rock formations to the left of the jetty. Ten to 20 huge rocks, up to 20’ around and 30’ high can be seen above the surface depending upon the tide, with many more below. A thick kelp forest, home to sponges and nudibranchs, lies between the jetty and the rocks. Some of the rocks are close together, creating narrow alleys that can be passed through. Depths among the rock formations can reach up to 30’. Divers have come across Puget Sound King Crab (a protected species) in this area, as well as octopi. You can also expect to see Wolf eels, Lingcod, Kelp Greenlings, Black Rockfish, Red Irish Lords, and Cabezon. Due to the potential surge and currents, this site is most appropriate for intermediate and advanced divers.
Salt Creek Recreation Area
Salt Creek Recreation Area, located on the northern shore of the Olympic Peninsula, is a 196-acre county park that includes upland forests, rocky bluffs, rocky tide pools (great fun for the kids!), sand beach, Salt Creek access, 90 campsites, and panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Crescent Bay, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The site was used during World War II as a harbor defense military base called Camp Hayden. The remnants of the camp are preserved on the site - two concrete bunkers which housed 16" cannons and several smaller bunkers.
Salt Creek is part of the Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary and considered by many to be the best place to shore dive in Washington. The park is very popular with groups due to the availability of camp/RV sites. There are three main access points for divers, the most accessible of which is the staircase next to campsite #63. The underwater topography is very rugged with huge rocks, ledges, and underwater "channels" to explore, although the main attraction is a massive kelp forest that thrives in the in summer and fall. This dive is suitable for beginning to advanced divers skilled at reading currents. The bottom drops off outside of the kelp forest, and the current can become much stronger there. You will see large numbers of green, red, and purple sea urchins and large, brightly colored anemones at this site, as well as Wolf eels, Telia Anemones, sculpin, sea cucumbers and sponges. You can dive this site many times without seeing the same thing twice!
Other Good Dives
Ediz Hook is a long spit that shelters Port Angeles from the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There are many possible dive locations along the inside of the hook, the most popular lying between the tower and the Coast Guard Air Station near the end of the spit where the bottom drops abruptly. Most sea life exists in the shallows up to 60’, offering divers an abundance of color. Starting at around 15’, you will come across huge bundled log piles that recall Port Angeles’ days as a thriving mill town. The harbor was used to store log booms until the mills could take them or they were barged out. The log piles can be found up to about 100’, now providing habitat for various species of rockfish, as well as lingcod, octopi, crabs, and nudibranchs. Depths beyond 130’ can be reached in some parts of the Hook, and there is much to explore.
The area inside the bay is protected from most weather and currents. Conditions on the straits side of the hook, however, can be wildly different. This area is subject to extreme current and waves.
Other popular dives around Sekiu and Neah Bay include Slip Point Reef, a massive green reef offering a plethora of life, including fish, invertebrates, anemones, Wolf eels and octopi; Third Beach Reef, featuring canyons and valleys that provide structure for a immense variety of life; and "The Fingers," a reef that stretches into the ocean forming ridges that gently slope to deep water. The reef provides excellent habitat for all kinds of fish, invertebrates, Wolf eels, and Giant Pacific Octopi.
Note: Slip Point Reef is known for strong currents and rough waters. This challenging dive is recommended for experienced divers who are skilled at reading currents.
LODGING
Following are just some of the lodging options available in the Port Angeles and Sekiu areas. For a more comprehensive listing, visit
www.olympicpeninsula.org or http://www.opbba.com/PAandSequim.htm .
| Hobuck Beach Resort 2726 Makah Passage Rd Neah Bay, WA, 98357 360-645-2339 http://www.hobuckbeachresort.com/ |
Red Lion Hotel 221 N. Lincoln Street Port Angeles, WA 98362 360.452.9215 www.redlion.rdln.com |
| Flagstone Motel 415 E First St Port Angeles, WA, 98362 360-457-9494 http://www.flagstonemotel.net/ |
Traveler's Motel 1133 E First St Port Angeles, WA, 98362 360-452-2303 http://www.travelersmotel.net/ |
| Salt Creek RV & Golf 53802 Hwy 112 Port Angeles, WA, 98363 360-928-2488 http://www.olypen.com/scrv/ |
Straitside Resort Sekiu, WA 360-963-2100 http://www.straitsideresort.com/index.htm |
| Curley’s Resort & Dive Center Sekiu, WA 360-963-2281 http://www.curleysresort.com |
Olson’s Resort Sekiu, WA 360.963.2311 http://www.olsonsresort.com/ |
| Bay Motel 15562 Rte 112 Sekiu, Washington 98381 360-963-2444 |
King Fisher Inn 1562 Hwy 112, Sekiu WA 360-645-2150 http://www.kingfisherenterprises.com/ |
DINING
From fine dining to farmers’ markets, come and savor the best in Olympic Coast cuisine!
Dining in Port Angeles
http://www.portangeles.org/Dining/Dining.html
Dining in Sekiu
http://www.sekiu.com/restaurants.asp
NON-DIVING ACTIVITIES
The areas surrounding the Strait of Juan de Fuca offering a plethora of activities for non-divers, including fishing, kayaking, hiking, bird watching, beachcombing, Twilight Tours, wine touring, arts events and more.
Port Angeles Things To Do
http://www.portangeles.org/thingstoseeanddo.html
Sekiu Things To Do
http://www.sekiu.com/
Neah Bay Things To Do
http://www.neahbaychamberofcommerce.com/