Deception Pass – Current Diving Intensity Beyond Belief

May 13, 2011, Author: Drew Collins

Deception Pass Bridge, just 90 minutes north of Seattle Washington, connects Whidbey Island with the mainland.  On July 31, 1935, the 976-foot span DeceptionPass Bridge connected Whidbey Island to the tiny Pass Island, and Pass Island to Fidalgo Island.  Before construction of the bridge, travellers would use an inter-island ferry to commute between
Fidalgo and Whidbey islands.

"It's like Scuda diving in a washing machine," I have heard it described that way from a few fellow divers. Deception Pass currents can reach seven knots and lead to standing waves, large whirlpools, rolling eddies, reverse eddies, up drafts and down drafts that can change quickly.  This current marvel can be viewed from above on the twin bridges' pedestrian walkways or from the trail leading below the larger south bridge on the Whidbey Island side. 
Boats sometimes must wait on either side of the pass for the current to stop or change direction before going through.  Thrill-seeking kayakers go there during large tide changes to surf the standing waves and brave the class 2 and 3 rapid conditions.  As a diver, we are more cautious and may wait months for the opportunity to dive the pass safely.  This last month we have had the good fortune to have three days of perfect dive conditions allowing us to attempt the treacherous and dangerous currents that are a couple hundred feet below the
famous bridge.

On May 10, 2011, four of from the Marker Buoy Dive Club of Seattle, carefully prepared for another attempt at capturing the amazing beauty and abundance of life that is constantly fed by the nutrient rich waters of the Puget Sound, Skagit Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Exceedingly strong currents are forced through the narrow pass.  For divers, slack time,
the window of little or no movement is very short, sometimes only a few minutes.  On all three of our dives this past month, we were very fortunate to have upwards of thirty minutes of what are ‘slack' waters.  On both sides of slack we rode the almost ½ knot of currents.  Then, our window of almost no movement occurs, this was my photo op!

With my Canon T2i dSLR in hand, I was able to capture the a bit of the splendor of the amazing life that exists in Deception Pass.  It is fairly rare to see a Giant Pacific Octopus, but my dive buddy Gene Coronetz got lucky, and consequently so did I.  Tucked away deep in a cavern the GPO hid.  I was able to snap only a few shots before he quickly moved deeper into the den.

Colorful Seastars and Northern Feather Dusters are everywhere on this dive.  Giant
Barnacles, Glove Sponge, crabs, and Anemone's abound.  On the south wall, where most divers typically dive, the life is so rich and thick, and everything grows so large you can hardly find the rock behind.   Sculpins were everywhere on this dive.  These curious little creatures will creep ever closer as I setup my shots.   Perhaps they are curious about me, or my lights, or they're just protecting their territory.  It is not uncommon for a small Scalyhead Sculpin to jump at my lens port in an attempt to scare away intruders, but of course he is only scaring away his own reflection.  Kelp Greenling, Ling Cod, schools of Black Rockfish can also be found only 20 to 60 feet below the surface.

I would say that Deception Pass has become one of my very favorite dives. I just hope the currents grant us a dive again soon...