- Octopus Hole
-
Octopus Hole is a designated conservation area[1] on Washington's Hood Canal. It is located right off Highway 101 just over three miles from Hoodsport. Like the close-by Sund Rock area, Octopus Hole is very popular with Scuba divers who enjoy diving the wall to view various underwater creatures, including but not limited to Lingcod, Giant Pacific Octopus, Wolf Eel, and nudibranch.
The most popular wall to dive in this area is about 200 yards long and starts at roughly 40 fsw, going down to roughly 50-60' fsw, depending upon the tide. Many divers use a large tree that has partially fallen out towards the water to help find the beginning of this wall. Once they have done the surface swim out to this tree, they can then drop down to the wall. Another, smaller wall is accessible, at roughly 90 fsw. This wall is nearly straight out from where most divers climb down from highway 101.
Because Octopus Hole is a conservation area, no hunting or gathering of any kind is permitted. The area also has very limited parking. Essentially, parking areas are nothing more than small turnouts on the highway. There is no formal trail or pathway. In spite of this, the Octopus Hole is quite popular. Access is always free of charge.
This area is not current sensitive.
GPS coordinates: N47 26.670 W123 07.000
References
There is a report of this site closing in September 2009 - the property is owned by Mikes Dive Center- (not to be confused with the shop in Hoodsport, or Mikes Beach Resort)
Sources
Categories:- Conservation in the United States
- Underwater diving sites
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
