Why isn't there diving near Bellingham?

General banter about diving and why we love it.
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carlk3
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Why isn't there diving near Bellingham?

Post by carlk3 »

We recently kayaked in the Chuckanut area, just south of Bellingham. The sea-carved rocks are wonderful. Why don't/can't people dive around here?

-1.4 foot Low tide
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Penopolypants
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Re: Why isn't there diving near Bellingham?

Post by Penopolypants »

Multiple rivers and creeks drain into the bay. It's got a muddy bottom and lots of sediment, which tends to make viz really bad.

The rocks look cool though.
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Sharkb8
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Re: Why isn't there diving near Bellingham?

Post by Sharkb8 »

I live in Bellingham, and very rarely dive anywhere near here. The vis in the bay is usually poor due to the nooksack river and plankton blooms, and there aren't really any currents to keep the critters fat and happy. That being said, the local shops do underwater pumpkin carving and lots of classes at Marine Park in Fairhaven and there are some interesting little fish and other macro things to see there. Lake Whatcom is also kind of fun every once in a while to see bass and look for cool old bottles and other garbage. You can also dive for dungies when the season is open. If you have a boat you can get out around Lummi and to the Cone Islands pretty easy also.

The kayaking is pretty fantastic when the wind is down. Make sure to paddle into the cove at the tip of Clark's Point to see the fossils, and to stop at Dot (Chuckanut) island on a low tide for a snack break.
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carlk3
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Re: Why isn't there diving near Bellingham?

Post by carlk3 »

Thanks for the replies.
Yeah, we did notice some mud. Here is the Samish Bay, 12 miles south of Bellingham, 30 minutes after lowest tide.
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60south
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Re: Why isn't there diving near Bellingham?

Post by 60south »

Is that the Loch Ness monster???
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carlk3
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Re: Why isn't there diving near Bellingham?

Post by carlk3 »

Is that the Loch Ness monster???
Maybe that's the real reason no one dives in the area.

There is something out there, but at low tide she isn't swimming.

Other sightings: https://www.google.com/search?ei=LrkJW6 ... JN-h4GWUBQ
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oldsalt
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Re: Why isn't there diving near Bellingham?

Post by oldsalt »

The craters in the mud look like the holes left by gray whales when they feed. They can be in amazingly shallow water. Have you seen grays in Samish Bay/Chuckanut waters?
Holes left by gray whales.
Holes left by gray whales.
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ScubaJess
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Re: Why isn't there diving near Bellingham?

Post by ScubaJess »

Cool! Nessie sighting :)

Hope you can find a spot to dive this weekend!
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