Point Whitney – Hood Canal/Dabob Bay
Online Nov 01, 2024
Many have mistaken Point Whitney for a blah dive site, but this site is very rich and has something for every diver. There is depth for advanced divers. New divers will like the easy entry, straight out and in navigation, and no currents. There are lots of critters in the shallows. The pipeline houses GPO’s, rockfish, and a recovering starfish population. At times the visibility and the warm water temperatures in the shallows have made Point Whitney seem like a tropical dive. In August we have seen 40ft visibility and surface waters to 30 feet in the 60’s F.
The site is on the grounds of the Point Whitney Shellfish Labs. There is plenty of parking, a boat ramp and flush toilets (often out of TP). You can dive here at any tide level, however diving near the high tide peaks offer the best visibility.
The pipe is the main part of the dive. It is shallow for a long time then slopes steeply to the end. There are some blocks to side at the end of the pipe that have been housing a GPO and 3 large moss headed warbonnets. There are often other octos along the pipe under the concrete dividers. Point Whitney is also great for training and practice dives.
The only caution here is that it can get quite crowded with boats during fishing and crabbing seasons. Dive flags are advised.
Directions: Over the hill (Mt Walker) from Quilcene. just as you come back down to sea level. Turn on Bee Mill Road (Also signs pointing to the Point Whitney Shellfish Labs). The sign may say closed in winter but this is not the case. As Bee Mill veers to the left go onto Point Whitney Road to the end.
MAP NOTE: The pilings (shown on the bottom right of the map) have been removed. You can still have a good chance of finding the pipe if you enter distinctly east of the pipe (towards the small slab on the map) and then turn west after 18fsw. Swim until you come across the pipes.
Currents: not current sensitive. best at high tide
