Along the coast of the Salish Sea, Snohomish County is ripe with rich water experiences. Scuba diving, while requiring a bit of planning and prep, is one of the most intimate ways to get to know our underwater plant and animal neighbors. Snohomish County is home to several outfitters who can help with everything from certifications and rentals to dive tours led by master divers. Several spectacular dive sites, including a designated underwater park in Edmonds, are in Snohomish County. Jump on in and visit the sea creatures who share this beautiful part of the Pacific Northwest.
Salty Sea Creatures
Home to several salty sites to explore, probably the most well-known of them in Snohomish County is Edmonds Underwater Park. This volunteer-maintained underwater park and bird sanctuary is a labor of love for the community of Edmonds and the 25,000 divers who explore the 2.5 miles of underwater trails every year for the past 50 years. Land-loving visitors enjoy sipping coffee from local downtown Edmonds coffee shops and marveling at the large number of volunteers, recreational divers, and citizen scientists who don gear and dive into the park every day. Underwater marked trails lead divers through a protected sanctuary containing sunken vessels and man-made structures which act as artificial reefs seeping with marine life.
Divers can enjoy viewing sea stars of every color, gardens of brightly colored anemones dining on plankton, or sometimes even egg yolk jellies. Dungeness Crabs, King Crabs, and scallops are frequently spotted. Sometimes visitors will get a peek at Wolf Eels munching on a sea urchin dinner or, if very lucky, spot a Giant Pacific Octopus leaving its den for a snack.
Animals are not the only living beings protected at the park. Plants such as kelp and eel grass are also protected. Eel grass plays an important housecleaning role for the Earth, soaking up carbon dioxide 40-50 times better than trees. Adopting a no-take mentality is an important part of keeping this special area safe for generations.
Dive Prep and Planning
Despite its rewards, scuba diving does require a bit of preparation, including a PADI certification. So before jumping in, make sure you are fully aware of what is required. Luckily, several options in Snohomish County can walk you through the process of certification, which includes an online class, several pool dives to learn and master skills, and a few open water dives supervised by master divers to make sure your newfound skills are ready for the sea. Although scuba diving is a wonderful family activity, keep in mind that children must be 10 years of age to obtain a certification and must be accompanied by a certified adult.
Underwater Sports, conveniently located on the water close to Edmonds Underwater Park or Evergreen Dive in Everett, can walk you through all levels of the certification process. For those already certified, a variety of advanced classes are offered, including Advanced Diver Certification, Master Diver Certification, Rescue Diver, and Dry Suit Diver Specialty Course, which is especially useful for the chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest. Once you are well on your way to being a seasoned diver, you can rent gear or book a diving trip with one of these outfitters to explore other underwater sanctuaries. A whole other world is open to you once you are geared up and your safety checks are completed.
Know Before You Go
Exploring with a guide is always the safest and most relaxing option for most divers. Local outfitters offer a variety of tours you can enjoy with a group. Many dive shops also offer private tours with a master diver, if you would like to customize your trip. When planning, keep in mind seasonality. While you may want to wait for the sunnier months of our chilly climate, this is not always the best option. Water temperatures in the Salish Sea are consistent, but visibility is not. Often, the best time to go to avoid spring and summer algae is in the fall and winter.
To keep warm, keep a thermos of hot coffee or hot cocoa stored away in your vehicle for after your dive. Bringing an extra cooler of hot water and a cup will go a long way in keeping you warm by dumping steaming water into your damp, chilly suit after your adventure. Being chilled while diving can pose a safety risk, so if cold water diving is not for you, consider getting certified for dry suit diving or, if all else fails, start your online class, pool dives locally, and head to warmer water for your open water dives.
Explore the underwater side of Snohomish County and get up close and personal with the plants and animals that share this beautiful part of the Pacific Northwest.
