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ExpertBoth

Deception Pass

Washington, United StatesDirections
AOW suggested6–24 m (20–80 ft) depthBoth entry7mm or semi-dry + hood typical

Deception Pass at a glance

Deception Pass is an expert both dive site in Washington, United States with depths of 6.1–24.4 m (20–80 ft). Typically most favorable May–Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Plumose anemone, Giant Pacific octopus, and Encrusting invertebrates (sponges, hydroids, barnacles). Recent reports put the water around 12°C (53°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:01

Forecast for this hour · 9:00 · run 23 h ago
0.0 m (0.1 ft)waves — under half a meter expected (waves — under a foot expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 12°C · seasonal avg 12°C ( · Forecast 53°F · seasonal avg 53°F)

Site hazards: EXTREME current to ~8 kt, whirlpools, upwellings and downdrafts, little or no true slack on most days, heavy boat traffic through the channel, cold water; only attempt on carefully selected minimal exchanges with experienced local divers and surface support

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Longest window: Mon
Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

0.0 m waves · 3 kn wind (0.1 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Tue8:00–18:00 favorable

0.1 m waves · 3 kn wind (0.2 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Wed8:00–10:00 moderate, 10:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 5 kn wind (0.5 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–15:00 moderate, 15:00–18:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 5 kn wind (0.9 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

0.1 m waves · 3 kn wind (0.4 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

0.0 m waves · 3 kn wind (0.1 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 7:15 · Sunrise 7:47 · Sunset 18:01 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.7 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 10:21 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Deception Pass

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Plumose anemone, Encrusting invertebrates (sponges, hydroids, barnacles), Nudibranch
Best time: Only on rare minimal-exchange slack windows, mostly in spring; verify with local dive shops and current atlases

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (0.9 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  2. February, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (46°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (1.0 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  3. March, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 8°C (47°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (1.0 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  4. April, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 9°C (49°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (1.0 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 11°C (52°F), waves have typically been 0.2 m (0.8 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (54°F), waves have typically been 0.2 m (0.8 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (57°F), waves have typically been 0.2 m (0.7 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 14°C (58°F), waves have typically been 0.2 m (0.6 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 13°C (56°F), waves have typically been 0.2 m (0.6 ft), wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  10. October, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 12°C (53°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (0.9 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  11. November, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 10°C (50°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (1.0 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  12. December, 91% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 9°C (49°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (1.1 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots

May, June, July, August, and September have typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

The narrow channel between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands where Skagit Bay meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with tidal currents that can scream through at up to 8 knots. The huge water exchange feeds some of the most densely colorful invertebrate-covered walls in the Pacific Northwest, but the site is diveable only on a handful of minimal-exchange slack windows scattered through the year, and true slack can fail to materialize. Whirlpools, downwellings and instantly reversing current make this an expert-only dive, usually done with boat support and local knowledge.

boatdriftshorewall

EXTREME current to ~8 kt, whirlpools, upwellings and downdrafts, little or no true slack on most days, heavy boat traffic through the channel, cold water; only attempt on carefully selected minimal exchanges with experienced local divers and surface support

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