Puget Sound Diving

[Ken McCracken]

I will be sailing and living on my boat in Puget Sound this summer for a month - probably July. I am an experienced, advanced diver, but have never dove Puget Sound. Any suggestions on which dive charterer to use? Will I need a drysuit that time of year? Any other recommendations? Thanks very much, Ken McCracken

[Kokomo]

My husband dove Puget Sound when we were on vacation there. But he was shore diving at a place called Edmond's Underwater Park. I think it has recently been renamed. He was dry suit diving but it was October. There was one fellow in the group wearing a wet suit.

[fisheater]

Originally Posted by Kokomo

There was one fellow in the group wearing a wet suit.

So. Was HE smiling after the dive? Or shivering?

[CARDIVER]

5-7 mm farmer john should be fine in July. If you're diving in the south end try Bandito Charters. Rick is a great skipper and knows the area well.

[missdesireeann]

I dive the Puget Sound..well...its the only place I've ever dove. I also dive wet-but to be honest, I think I'm the only person I know that does. I suggest a dry suit if you can..longer dive times becasue you won't get as cold as quickly. Some good places which are convienient are: Les Davis, Redondo, Alkai, Titlow, and if you can get down to Hood Canal-Sund Rock. I've only been on one charter, and it was amazing-Banditos. They made sure to fill my suit full of warm water and I swear that I started gearing up and then I was just standing there while the deckhand did all the work: fins, zippers, gloves...it was royal treatment!

[itsmescotty]

Well, Ken, it really all boils down to your physical condition. . . I'm 58 and I've been in this 45 degree water with a 6mm farmer john and a Kirbey Morgan band mask.
I was a US navy diver and dove the north sea in a 6mm suit and KMB 10. That was COLD and also in the lower 30s. Also did SE Asia, Africa and the Med using only coveralls - above 200' and hot water suit at 500'
You didn't mention if you have your own equipment. . .
I'm not going to be any help on charter ppl because I've never been one to 'join in' and primarily dive alone. When I had my boat I simply dove when and wherever I wanted, took photos and shot dinner.
In addition to Navy I also did a commercial dive school for accreditation for my professional career. Also had NAUI PADI teaching certification. BUT when I finally came back to the states I'd been gone so long NO ONE had info on me and the shops up here wouldn't give me air. I now have my own compressor - 20 CFM @ 3000 psi. Not a typo, really. 20 CFM @3000 psi. 5 minutes to fill a tank with seriously filtered and dry air!

[Sounder]

In July you'll be fine in a 7mm farmer john but will be a bit chilly by the end of the dive.

Bandito is a great charter op. Lots of shore-diving too. PM Cardiver or myself when it gets closer - Ron and I can both point you in the right direction.

[ohiodiver]

just dove off whidbey island in a 7/5mm wet suit................not too bad. have dove in november ( thanksgiving day! ) in a 7mm farmer john................a little chilly when above water, between dives....................

[WaScubaDude]

Originally Posted by Kokomo

My husband dove Puget Sound when we were on vacation there. But he was shore diving at a place called Edmond's Underwater Park. I think it has recently been renamed. He was dry suit diving but it was October. There was one fellow in the group wearing a wet suit.

Yes, It is now. BHUT, Bruce Higgens Underwater Trails, I believe. Dove it monday. Vis sucked about 8ft. Can be a long swim, but lots and lots to see.