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ExpertBoth

Deception Pass

Washington, United StatesDirections
AOW suggested6–24 m 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 14°C (58°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 2h ago
0.1 mwaves — under half a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 14°C · seasonal avg 13°C

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

Best: Sat
Fri11:00–20:00
Sat18:00–20:00
Sun7:00–9:00
Mon7:00–20:00
Tue7:00–20:00
Wed7:00–20:00
Thu7:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:10 · Sunrise 6:42 · Sunset 19:31

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.7 km from site · graded 2h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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. Jan98%8°C0.3 m
  2. Feb94%8°C0.3 m
  3. Mar99%8°C0.3 m
  4. Apr99%9°C0.3 m
  5. May100%11°C0.2 m
  6. Jun100%12°C0.2 m
  7. Jul100%14°C0.2 m
  8. Aug100%14°C0.2 m
  9. Sep100%13°C0.2 m
  10. Oct99%12°C0.3 m
  11. Nov97%10°C0.3 m
  12. Dec91%9°C0.3 m

May, June, July, August, and September havetypically 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

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. 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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