Diving in Oregon, Washington, Vancouver Coast and Shelf
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover Oregon, Washington, Vancouver Coast and Shelf's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of Oregon, Washington, Vancouver Coast and Shelf, ecoregion. This region features 6 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Oregon, Washington, Vancouver Coast and Shelf has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
🌍 Associated Countries
Countries in Oregon, Washington, Vancouver Coast and Shelf (2)
Popular Spots in Oregon, Washington, Vancouver Coast and Shelf (6)
Chetco Cove
Chetco Cove offers easy beach access for divers. The diving experience is available on both sides of the bay, requiring a short swim to reach the more productive areas. This site is suitable for beginner divers. Visibility can vary, typically ranging from 5 to 15 feet. Marine life includes belligerent sculpins, numerous crabs, and various bottom fish. Abalone can also be found in certain locations. The maximum depth at this site is 60 feet if divers swim further out.
Diver’s Hole
Diver's Hole is accessed via a steep trail leading from a limited parking area along a narrow road. The site features a small beach that serves as a staging area for divers and swimmers, with the option to cross the river to reach a larger beach. As this is a river dive, divers should be aware of potential currents. The aquatic life here includes various species such as turtles, Coho salmon, trout, lamprey, steelhead, cutthroat, and Chinook salmon.
Early Hole
Early Hole, located along a bend of the Smith River, is a notable dive site for divers in Northern California and Oregon. This river dive can experience current, although it is typically mild during the summer months. The site is home to various species of fish, including chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead trout, coastal cutthroat trout, green sturgeon, white sturgeon, Pacific lamprey, and brook lamprey, making it a unique freshwater diving experience.
Harris Beach State Park
Harris Beach State Park offers a dive site suitable for divers of all skill levels. The entry point is from the shore, leading directly to Bird Rock. The dive site is located on the southern side of Bird Rock, with a maximum depth reaching approximately 65 feet. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including seals, abalone, sea urchins, and starfish, particularly within the surrounding kelp beds. While the swim to the dive site may be a bit lengthy, the diverse underwater ecosystem makes it a rewarding experience.
Lone Ranch Beach
Lone Ranch Beach offers a shore entry point for divers, with the primary dive area located to the left of the beach. The maximum depth at this site reaches approximately 50 to 60 feet, making it suitable for advanced divers and above. Underwater, divers can explore kelp forests where they may encounter various bottom fish, abalone, and seals. There is also a possibility of spotting a whale passing by during dives.
Mill Beach
Mill Beach offers easy access from the shore, making it suitable for beginner divers. The diving conditions extend to both the left and right sides of the bay, requiring a short swim to reach the more productive areas. The maximum depth at this site is approximately 60 feet. Visibility can vary, typically ranging from 5 to 15 feet. Marine life includes belligerent sculpins, various crabs, and numerous bottom fish, with some areas also featuring abalone.