Salt Creek Park
Port Angeles
11 miles W of Port Angeles.
As you come into the main portion of park the road over to your left will be two parallel roads with a large grassy area. One of the dive sites is straight ahead of you. This is the one with the rather friendly wolf eel. Well, actually I saw two of them here. There are several entry points at this site to get into the water. Just walk along the solid rock beach until you find a spot that looks comfy. To get to the other entry point continue to other end of the park. Both entry points require you to walk down a fairly steep and sometimes slippery bank. At the second spot you have to be a little more selective, but as you are walking down the slope it is easy to see the channel you should swim out through. There is a lot of kelp here to swim through which made the site really interesting. This is a great spot to go camping but you will want to get there early. Every year the club goes here for a camp out.
If the wind is blowing the entries and exits will be as they say - somewhat challenging. Actually, the first thought after being pitched up onto the rocks like a seal leaping onto a dock was, 'How many holes do I have in my dry suit?' The rocks are covered with razor sharp barnacles. I should also mention that you better hang on once you have landed or the outgoing wave will pull you back off the rock. Getting in wasn't that bad. You just wait for the right moment after the wave crashes on the rocks, leap in and kick rapidly so you don't get caught by the next wave. If there is no wind the entries are simple. Next time I will pass on the windy day.
- John Syre
This is a good site with lots of sea life, but the entry and exit are a bit of a challenge. There are several different spots at the park to dive, but they all involve a bit of a gear hump, and it's not the Puget Sound, i.e. it's exposed, it doesn't take much wind to make it undiveable. Unlike the 100ft rock, the gear hump is worth it if the conditions are good plus it's not as deep.
Be prepared to opt for a gear-rinse dive at nearby Lake Crescent, or have a back-up plan for some other activity. Lake Crescent has great vis, but like all lakes, not a lot to see except for sheer rock walls, a few crawdads, and maybe if you're lucky, a treasure or two dropped by boaters on the lake.
- Greg Goebel