Northwest Dive Club

Well this forum's a bit dead. Not surprising, that.

Our long-planned trip to Nova Scotia next month has been canceled by the covids. I'd happily skip up to BC for some diving instead but, bruh, can't do that either. Grr.

Road trip? If I thought a drive & dive trip down the California coast would be easy, I'd jump at it. Seems kind of hard to organize and find fellow divers on a daily basis; and I don't like solo diving, especially in areas where I'm new.

So what's a diver with itchy feet to do? I can take time off, but don't know where to go. Not interested in flying right now.

Ideas?

Hi Glen
Grrr!!!
California diving -- you need a boat (not sure if they're running) and are often very weather dependent.
Keystone, Skyline, and Seiku are especially worth visiting now and you can make a fun multi day destination of them. We usually do that on the weekends but I'm sure others want to use time off to hit these sites.

Monterey!

I've had two Vancouver Island trips cancel this year and haven't been able to plan another trip to Bonaire so I know the feeling. I've been focusing on hitting Deception Pass, Skyline and Keystone off slack to work on skills and get my fix of amazing underwater life that is almost as good as what I've missed out on not being able to travel. I took a self reliant diver course recently to keep the skills progressing and I've been practicing my photography diligently. I'm hoping to do a long weekend shore dive trip to hit Salt Creek, Seiku and some other random sites out on the peninsula. I am also hoping to make the drive and hit some south sound sites and Hood Canal since I live up in Bellingham. I'm starting to think that even though this year seems to suck without being able to travel it may end up being my most productive and enjoyable year underwater since I started.

Sharkb8 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:05 pm I've been focusing on hitting Deception Pass, Skyline and Keystone off slack to work on skills

Wait. You've been diving them off slack??

Sharkb8 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:05 pmI'm hoping to do a long weekend shore dive trip to hit Salt Creek, Seiku and some other random sites out on the peninsula.

A camp/dive trip to Salt Creek or Lake Crescent could be loads of fun.

BUZO71 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:09 pmMonterey!

Dove Monterey Bay last year. Tried for a boat but they were all booked.

I hear some of the boats are going out again but with limited passengers.

You haven't dove everywhere here yet Glenn. Let's do some exploring and find some new stuff.

60south wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:13 pm

Sharkb8 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:05 pm I've been focusing on hitting Deception Pass, Skyline and Keystone off slack to work on skills

Wait. You've been diving them off slack??

Sharkb8 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:05 pmI'm hoping to do a long weekend shore dive trip to hit Salt Creek, Seiku and some other random sites out on the peninsula.

A camp/dive trip to Salt Creek or Lake Crescent could be loads of fun.

Lol, looks like I phrased that wrong. I’ve been diving Keystone off slack, usually after one of the other two which are definitely timed!

I agree with Sharkb8!!!
Just had a fantastic dive at Skyline on Sunday followed up by keystone! It's so magical right now with the sun shining down into the kelp! The shiner perch are so shiny!


We are lucky to be trapped in such a beautiful state!

A few snaps from Skyline , probably my best dive there yet, 70+ min, great Viz and lots of lifeforms

Happy Diving!!!

You could also go on multi night sixgill seeking trip! Now's the time!

McGlencoe wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:10 pm You haven't dove everywhere here yet Glenn. Let's do some exploring and find some new stuff.

Can I tag along and will there be CCRs involved

Sharkb8 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:45 pm

60south wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:13 pm

Sharkb8 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:05 pm I've been focusing on hitting Deception Pass, Skyline and Keystone off slack to work on skills

Wait. You've been diving them off slack??

Sharkb8 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:05 pmI'm hoping to do a long weekend shore dive trip to hit Salt Creek, Seiku and some other random sites out on the peninsula.

A camp/dive trip to Salt Creek or Lake Crescent could be loads of fun.

Lol, looks like I phrased that wrong. I’ve been diving Keystone off slack, usually after one of the other two which are definitely timed!

The best of a few convos I had with the ol salties in Oak Harbor consisted of "I'm not taking you to the Pass!" and "I've been blown right up to the surface from 80 feet..." which I presume means some off-slack skills were involved

no deception pass is renown for down and upwellings. Even during slack

I've experienced them, on either side of the actual slack--which I would define as the time, however brief, when they are not strongly in effect in the typical diving area. Then again I have only gone when the predicted max currents on either side of the switch are less than ~3.5kt.

60south wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:14 pm

BUZO71 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:09 pmMonterey!

Dove Monterey Bay last year. Tried for a boat but they were all booked.

I hear some of the boats are going out again but with limited passengers.

Boat diving in Monterey is overrated . Shore diving is great there

BUZO71 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:26 pm
Boat diving in Monterey is overrated . Shore diving is great there

I don't know about that. Some of the pinnacles that you can reach by boat around Pt. Joe and Carmel Bay are amazing.

We're going to Sekiu (advanced site) tomorrow if anyone wants to join.

McGlencoe wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:10 pm You haven't dove everywhere here yet Glenn. Let's do some exploring and find some new stuff.

Yes. Yes.

Here's the short list of places I haven't been to yet (on our side of the water) but need to go:

Skyline Wall
Rosario Beach
Deception Pass
Sekiu
Blakely Rock
Neah Bay (closed for now)
Keystone high-speed drift dive

I also want to try Salt Creek County Park (PA) again, but on a super-low-exchange day.

eh.haole wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:07 amCan I tag along and will there be CCRs involved

You two definitely need to hook up! I'm OC only.

60south wrote: ↑Mon Aug 24, 2020 4:15 pm

McGlencoe wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:10 pm You haven't dove everywhere here yet Glenn. Let's do some exploring and find some new stuff.

Yes. Yes.

Here's the short list of places I haven't been to yet (on our side of the water) but need to go:

Skyline Wall
Rosario Beach
Deception Pass
Sekiu
Blakely Rock
Neah Bay (closed for now)
Keystone high-speed drift dive

I also want to try Salt Creek County Park (PA) again, but on a super-low-exchange day.

eh.haole wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:07 amCan I tag along and will there be CCRs involved

You two definitely need to hook up! I'm OC only.

Hi Glenn, I messaged you about keystone/skyline.

Salt creek is more about high enough tide height and surge/surf than current.

Hope you get out there!

I have not been to Skyline wall and need to make it out there soon.
Kirsten

Are there any more soft enough tides for Deception Pass this year? I didn't notice any yet.

Skyline has your drift potential and is full of species. We got in a bit early this time and I took a (voluntary) ride to 35 metres. It is like a Deception Pass Lite. Consequential and deserving of good timing/composure/respect.

eh.haole wrote: ↑Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:38 pm Are there any more soft enough tides for Deception Pass this year? I didn't notice any yet.

There are a few days where Deception is possible left this year. Not on the part of the tide cycle you may expect them though. The best one is in a couple Fridays from now. I recommend first timers go on a lighter day. The lightest days are in the spring.

YellowEye wrote: ↑Mon Aug 24, 2020 6:35 pm Salt creek is more about high enough tide height and surge/surf than current.

Ah, yeah. Last time the surge was awful and I got seasick while diving. Not something I want to repeat.

But otherwise a fantastic dive area!

glenn