Another nice dive at Salt Water St Park

[Pinkpadigal]

I have been diving about once a week at SWSP. I want to document the changes that are occuring and to get to know the reef. I have dove on all 3 reefs and spend a lot of time going through and getting to know where things are.

If you haven't been there, it is worth the PITA surface swim/walk to get there. The good news is it is flat and easy walk. There is current there, but I have hit it at slack so it hasn't been bad at all for me. If you are diving here for the first, 2nd or 3rd time, I would pick a reef (South, middle, North) and spend your dive there.

Right now, all the rocks are covered with barnicles and sunflower starfish. In the last few months since I started diving here, the place has really taken off with life. The long, concrete logs are now covered completely. There are tons of small rockfish and shrimp and crab. We have spotted red octopus on every dive. Ratfish love this reef...I took video of a ratfish eating a crab on my last dive. The way the boulders are set up, it is a perfect place for Giant Pacific Octopus to set up housekeeping.

We (Scott, Ellyn and I, my buddies for the evening) went out to explore this evening. Neither of them had been to SWSP before, so I took them to the South Reef. Vis was amazing and we spent 40 minutes taking photos and checking it out. I noticed a lot of changes in the week since I dove there last. The exciting news is we found the first SWSP GPO tonight! PM me for exact location. It was a nice size but I haven't seen many this year and seeing one settling into the new reef is very exciting.

I haven't looked at my photos yet but with the minimal debris in the water and good vis, I am hoping to get some good photos.

[Tom Nic]

Very cool! Thanks for the report Amy!

I WILL get out there!

[mpenders]

Very cool! I can't wait to get home and get back out to this site!

[Gdog]

Great timing on your report, as we are considering spending a few days at Salt Creek next week and diving. Anything we need to know in advance that you can think of? Would welcome any input, as it will be the first time we have dove there.
Thanks in advance!!

[selkie]

Saltwater State Park (south of Redondo) and Salt Creek (west of Port Angeles) are two different places. We dove Salt Creek about a month ago. Look for high morning tides to dive. The afternoon winds caused by the onshore breeze make the site more difficult to dive. There is a good review at Perfect Dive. Also think about other coast spots and Lake Crescent.

[Pinkpadigal]

SWSP has a couple of things for shore divers to remember...

1. You will have a long walk or long swim, depending on the tide.

2. Showers are working but they will turn them off in the winter.

3. The park is only open from 830am-830pm. The ranger WILL throw you out.

[Gdog]

Ok, sorry, my bad. I was referring to Salt Creek, past port angeles. Was wondering about camping there, diving, entry points, closest source for air refills, places to eat, ect.....

[selkie]

Gdog,

I got some good advice here http://www.nwdiveclub.com/viewtopic.php ... ek#p100113. check out the info here also http://www.theperfectdive.com/DEF-Site.asp?sID=33. The park is a county park and you need to make reservations two weeks ahead. However by going on Friday we found spaces without a reservation. Unless you plan to drive into town you should take camping food.

[Gdog]

Ok, we dont have a reservation, so I guess we will just show up and see what we can find. Thanks for the input! Sorry to hijack this thread!