When you think of diving on the northwest coast of the US mainland, what comes to mind? Maybe it's kelp forests, or perhaps it's old pilings covered with huge plumose anemones; it could be that images of the surprisingly colorful fish that dwell in these waters enter your imagination. Whatever the case may be, there is a good chance that you'll find it at Fort Casey Underwater State Park. Often used as a training site but attractive even to more advanced divers, this site, also known as Keystone, attracts SCUBA enthusiasts from Washington State and British Columbia, along with people from far-flung communities. What will you find when you dive Keystone? Let's take a look.
Fort Casey Underwater State Park’s Varied Terrain and Astonishing Marine Life
Kelp forest? Check. Rocky habitat? Check. Abandoned dock pilings? You asked for it! With distinctly varied habitat, it only stands to reason that Fort Casey Underwater State Park is home to an amazing array of marine life.
At the first dive site, Keystone Jetty, you can either stay close to the rocks, which is recommended if the current is running, or you can explore the kelp forest, which is thick in places, and which is at its best at high slack tide. Either way, you're certain to come across lots of lingcod, greenlings, and perch, along with crabs and rockfish. The jetty is about 250 feet long, with colorful life everywhere you look; all sorts of starfish and tubeworms make their homes here, along with sea cucumbers and other invertebrates. Be careful toward the tip of the jetty; more than one diver has found himself struggling against intense outer current, and the risk of being sucked straight into the path of one of the Washington State Ferries is real.
At the second site, which is in the pilings, you'll find beautiful swathes of huge white plumose anemones, barnacles feeding (careful if there is a current, they are very sharp), and again, lots of greenling, perch, and other little fish. Gorgeous red sponges and yellow tunicates cling to the pilings as well; if you're a photographer, you might have some trouble deciding where to point your camera first.
At both sites, you stand an excellent chance of encountering wolf eels and Giant Pacific Octopus; the octopuses are most active at night, but it is not unheard of to encounter them during the day. To find their dens, which are usually among the boulders on the jetty, look for a telltale heap of broken crab shells.
Maximum depth at both sites is 45 feet on the outer edge, and depths are much shallower inshore. You can't be too careful about when you dive, as the current can be extremely nasty at times. Unless you want a wild drift dive and a long swim back to shore with a landing at some dubious location a long distance away from where you parked, pay attention to tide tables and plan to come at slack tide. Low slack tide is great for freediving and snorkeling; high slack tide lets you enjoy the kelp forest.
Visibility varies seasonally and with the weather; it can be anywhere from 10 to 50 feet most of the time. Temperature may be as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, and during the summer, it isn't much different at about 52 degrees average. A dry suit is best, although you may be able to get away with wearing a full 6.5mm wetsuit with boots, a hood, and gloves.
Fort Casey Underwater State Park is open all year, and offers nice amenities such as coin operated hot showers and clean lavatories. Cold outside showers are also available, as are picnic facilities, a boat ramp, and camp sites; the nearest air fills are available in Oak Harbor, just 30 minutes away. Come on a weekday to avoid the crowds if you can, and be sure you follow instructions regarding paying for parking. If you're local, consider buying a parking pass; it'll pay for itself quickly. Finally, night diving is available; contact the state park service to pre-arrange permission. The parking lots are checked frequently after hours, and divers who try to pull a fast one normally return to find an irritated park ranger waiting. Whenever you go, you're sure to have a fantastic time; if you're local to the Seattle - Tacoma area, you might have just found yourself a new favorite dive site.