Strait Scuba

 

112 West

 

Hoko Reef/Kaydaka Point

 

Overview

I can sum up this dive in one word, unbelievable! The color and abundance of life are amazing! The first time that we dove here, we were diving from Capt. John Sikes boat, the EZ8(ask about dive charters, he runs out of Straitside Resort in Sekiu, WA)which is a fishing charter out of Sekiu. Capt. Sikes has vast diving experience and offered to take a few of us out to dive another site. After our first dives we had enough air left to make another 20 minute or so dive, so Sikes asked if we wanted to dive Hoko. We had all heard of it and were eager to dive here. I WISH WE HAD MORE AIR!! If you have never experienced diving on the west end of the Olympic Peninsula, get there! This site is best dived from a boat as shore access requires a long pack to get gear to the spot. When diving here you can expect to see lingcod, rockfish, anemones, nudibranchs, urchins, seals, sea lions, and we have observed whales close in near here.

 

Getting there

This site is best dived from a boat as shore access requires a long pack to get gear to the waters edge. The Hoko Reef is located west of Sekiu at the mouth of the Hoko River. When heading west on Highway 112 from Sekiu turn on San Juan Vista Road. Follow it to the end. Here you will find a boat launch(used as a takeout for drift boats and canoes that have floated the lower Hoko) and a wooden fence with beach access. From here it is about a half hour pack if you can get all your gear in one trip. This is much easier as a boat dive. Launch your boat in Sekiu, and head west. When you reach the mouth of the Hoko you will want to dive the west side of Kaydaka Point, this is where the best diving is although the East side is almost as nice.

 

The Dive

Not much advice to give here, jump in and explore for yourself! Some hazards here include: currents, boaters and fisherman, surge when the water is rough, and kelp. Carry a knife and a see me sausage for safety. It is possible to enter small areas and swim through tubes where there is no direct ascent to the surface. If you are not trained in diving an overhead environment then stay out and stay alive!