Neah Bay Aug 2018

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YellowEye
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Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by YellowEye »

Howdy Folks
ScubaJess, Scubie Doo, Stphn Martin, VJW, JPA and I just came back from an epic long weekend of diving out at Neah Bay. For those unfamiliar with it, Neah Bay is out on the very northwestern corner of Washington. It has some of the best diving in the state, with beauty and challenges not found on a typical Puget Sound Dive. This is coastal diving, with challenges such as surge, currents, fog and the open ocean itself. Visibility can be variable... this time it was between 10 and 20', but it is often much better. Fog and smoke and a bit of waves somewhat limited our diving options.

Along the coast we got to see otters, seals, sealions (both types), puffins, oyster catchers, black turnstones, cormorants, rhino auklets, bald eagles, turkey vultures and more. We also enjoyed a walk to Cape Flattery for a higher view of the cliffs and waves.

Beneath the sea, we got to enjoy dramatically impressive landscapes, and a large variety of fish and invertebrates. At least 10 species of rockfish were seen! Beautiful tiger rockfish, china rockfish, blues, blacks, quillbacks, coppers, yellow tails, yellow eyes (!), Puget sound rockfish, and canary rockfish! What a beautiful place!

We went out on Bill Mitton's Northwest Dive Charter's Slack Tide II boat. Bill did an outstanding job with great service and friendly company. He has trailered a compressor out there, so now you can get good fills including Nitrox right in Neah Bay. We stayed at some local cabins and at the hotel above the pizza place. Accommodations have improved a lot in Neah Bay over the years!

The sites we dove included Waddah Island Fingers, 3rd beach, 3rd beach pinnacle, Tiger Reef, Seal Rock, and Mushroom Rock -- my favorite of the group.

Here were some of the snaps:
I saw this beautiful octo at Salt Creek on the way to Neah
I saw this beautiful octo at Salt Creek on the way to Neah
Surf anemones and an ochre star in the surge zone at Mushroom Rock
Surf anemones and an ochre star in the surge zone at Mushroom Rock
Gooseneck barnacles in the surge zone at Mushroom Rock
Gooseneck barnacles in the surge zone at Mushroom Rock
We encountered this beautiful egg yolk jelly immediately on descent at Seal Rock
We encountered this beautiful egg yolk jelly immediately on descent at Seal Rock
Sea star and urchins and diver at Mushroom Rock
Sea star and urchins and diver at Mushroom Rock
The Mushroom Rock dive site (actual rock not shown)
The Mushroom Rock dive site (actual rock not shown)
Some more goosenecks.  Some have more pronounced red lips on them.
Some more goosenecks. Some have more pronounced red lips on them.
The bay at mushroom rock had the biggest moon jellies I've ever dove with
The bay at mushroom rock had the biggest moon jellies I've ever dove with
Another look at one of the moon jellies
Another look at one of the moon jellies
Some surf anemones line a surge channel at Mushroom Rock
Some surf anemones line a surge channel at Mushroom Rock
Moon Jelly
Moon Jelly
The fabled Tiger Rockfish (and a China too!)
The fabled Tiger Rockfish (and a China too!)
A fish eating anemone (10-12" across)
A fish eating anemone (10-12" across)
This wolfeel was quite shy, I only got a couple of shots of him
This wolfeel was quite shy, I only got a couple of shots of him
Reef life at Waddah Island Fingers
Reef life at Waddah Island Fingers
Fish eating anemone at the bottom of a typical slope at Waddah Island fingers
Fish eating anemone at the bottom of a typical slope at Waddah Island fingers
Some plumose line the ledge at Third Beach Pinnacle
Some plumose line the ledge at Third Beach Pinnacle
The shallows at Seal Rock
The shallows at Seal Rock
Fish eating anemone
Fish eating anemone
Canary rockfish and wolfie
Canary rockfish and wolfie
Hope you had a great good-tide weekend!
Visit pnwdiving.com for viz reports, slack planning, galleries and more!
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ScubaJess
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by ScubaJess »

Beautiful snaps yelloweye! That gpo is crazy cool! I also love all the surf zone shots!

Was so great diving with you guys! What an adventure! I hope we can go back again next summer.

Here are a few of my shots! It was just stunning down there, so much color and life! We live on such a pretty planet! :)
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Surf zone anemone at Mushroom Rock
Surf zone anemone at Mushroom Rock
Happy Sclupin
Happy Sclupin
RED GOOSE Neck barnacles!!!! I've been wanting to see these guys for years, was sooooo happy to see them!! Had to hold on to some kelp for dear life to get this snap!
RED GOOSE Neck barnacles!!!! I've been wanting to see these guys for years, was sooooo happy to see them!! Had to hold on to some kelp for dear life to get this snap!
3 amigos
3 amigos
Top Snail in Rock Greenling territory
Top Snail in Rock Greenling territory
A happy 3 lined nudie feasting on Orange Mouth Hydroids at 3rd Beach Pinnacle
A happy 3 lined nudie feasting on Orange Mouth Hydroids at 3rd Beach Pinnacle
Double the Top Snails...double the fun
Double the Top Snails...double the fun
I had to take a break from the huge egg yolk jellyfish to take a snap of this baby salp :)
I had to take a break from the huge egg yolk jellyfish to take a snap of this baby salp :)
Sculpins are the best
Sculpins are the best
China rockfish are so friendly at Neah Bay, I was so happy to see them
China rockfish are so friendly at Neah Bay, I was so happy to see them
reef shot at the fingers
reef shot at the fingers
brooding anemones on kelp
brooding anemones on kelp
super colorful red Irish lord
super colorful red Irish lord
one of the adorable baby Puget sound King Crabs Yelloweye found for me. These guys are tiny little adorable tanks!
one of the adorable baby Puget sound King Crabs Yelloweye found for me. These guys are tiny little adorable tanks!
Top snails on the sun
Top snails on the sun
Carl's cousin Steve
Carl's cousin Steve
Longfin Sculpin
Longfin Sculpin
My first umbrella crab shot at 3rd beach pinnacle
My first umbrella crab shot at 3rd beach pinnacle
school of silver cuties at Salt Creek
school of silver cuties at Salt Creek
Tiger Rock fish are AWESOME!! I think this guy is like 100 years old!
Tiger Rock fish are AWESOME!! I think this guy is like 100 years old!
baby brittle star
baby brittle star
Red tipped horns on this nudie, I've never seen one like this.
Red tipped horns on this nudie, I've never seen one like this.
red goose neck barnacle
red goose neck barnacle
Happy Shrimp, the only one I saw in 12 dives out there
Happy Shrimp, the only one I saw in 12 dives out there
a super tiny Doto on some Ostrich plums
a super tiny Doto on some Ostrich plums
Fish Eating anemone at Salt Creek
Fish Eating anemone at Salt Creek
Live Long And Prosper!!!

Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions. :luv: :partydance: :eric: :taco:
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ScubaJess
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by ScubaJess »

A few more on land/boat snaps
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Mushroom Rock is beautiful above & below!
Mushroom Rock is beautiful above & below!
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IMG_0281.JPG
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Live Long And Prosper!!!

Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions. :luv: :partydance: :eric: :taco:
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stphnmartin
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by stphnmartin »

Dang, you guys saw some serious stuff! I didn't want to go into the surge zone because I was already have troubles with it at 30 feet! Love the gooseneck shots! And the Tigers and the octo!

What a great trip. Thanks for arranging it!
:popcorn: View dive videos on my youtube channel. GH5, Nauticam housing, Big Blue 9000s, Sola 500, 1200, Scuba Lamp Snoot, Mavic 2 Pro, Osmo, Final Cut Pro X
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Vjw
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by Vjw »

Wow - YE, you're the master of wide angle! The colors are amazing! Like the octopus, wolf eel, tiger and china rockfish, anemones, jellyfish, and SJ looks perfect! SJ, your macro is phenomenal!! Love the nudi on the orange mouth hydroids (what a feast) and the colors on the baby salp!! Go Mariners! Really like the pic of the Puget sound king crab - wish I'd seen one! We do live on a beautiful planet! It's great diving with you guys!! :mmmbeer: :clap: :thankyouyellow:
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Tom Nic
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by Tom Nic »

Outstanding snaps!
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
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Sharkb8
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by Sharkb8 »

This trip report makes me extremely jealous! I loved the diving around mushroom rock when we went last summer. There is no way that photos can fully show how amazing the topography is underwater there, but those wide angle pics come close. Love them (and all the other photos too)! :notworthy: Also, this trailered compressor with nitrox fills you speak of sounds kinda awesome. Not having to commute from Seiku would make the days a bit easier out there.

How many divers does that boat hold? I’ve already sent a link of this page to a couple of buddies to motivate them for another trip next summer!
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ScubaJess
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by ScubaJess »

Sharkb8 wrote: How many divers does that boat hold? I’ve already sent a link of this page to a couple of buddies to motivate them for another trip next summer!
Thanks for the kind words!

Yes the boat is great! It holds 6 divers.
Slack Tide II (Northwest Dive Charters), and bill gives fantastic fills :)

I agree! Mushroom rock was the best! I can't wait to go back!! Also it was so cool to see puffins in the water and flying by.
Live Long And Prosper!!!

Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions. :luv: :partydance: :eric: :taco:
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Penopolypants
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by Penopolypants »

What a glorious trip, and great photos everyone! Thanks for sharing them!
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Scubie Doo
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by Scubie Doo »

Sorry for the delay ya'll, been a busy few months. Here are a few of my pics :-)

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Have a great week everyone, peace!
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stphnmartin
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by stphnmartin »

Thanks for the flashback back to this summer trip. Love the octo and china!
:popcorn: View dive videos on my youtube channel. GH5, Nauticam housing, Big Blue 9000s, Sola 500, 1200, Scuba Lamp Snoot, Mavic 2 Pro, Osmo, Final Cut Pro X
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ScubaJess
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by ScubaJess »

I agree! I've been waiting so long to see these. You rock! I love the baby PSK crab with the urchins :) also super cool octo action.
Do you know what that seastar is holding?
Live Long And Prosper!!!

Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions. :luv: :partydance: :eric: :taco:
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Scubie Doo
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by Scubie Doo »

stphnmartin wrote:Thanks for the flashback back to this summer trip. Love the octo and china!

Thanks SM, I forgot my favorite pic. Octo, China, and Wolfie :-)

Image
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Scubie Doo
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by Scubie Doo »

ScubaJess wrote:I agree! I've been waiting so long to see these. You rock! I love the baby PSK crab with the urchins :) also super cool octo action.
Do you know what that seastar is holding?
Thanks Jess and sorry for the delay. I think the Seastar is holding a snail of some kind.
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Gdog
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Re: Neah Bay Aug 2018

Post by Gdog »

Dang, I missed the wolfie in that pic! Very cool!
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