Deception Pass is truly one of the truly great drift dives of the northwest. Beautiful scenery, above and below the water mixed with legendary currents, and the relatively few times of each year that the tides cooperate to make the dive possible cause this to be a highly sought after and unique experience.

Dives here need to be thoughtfully planned for a lengthy slack before ebb. As a shore dive, the goal is to hit the pass right as the flood ends, swim with the tail end of the current past the bridge while exploring the crevices, current carved caverns and undercuts and colorfully overgrown walls then swim or drift back to the safety of the cove as the current changes directions. Depths measure up to 130ft here but those depths are not necessary to fully enjoy this site. Typical dive profiles range from 40-80ft.

The current never “stops” moving here but will slow down then change directions. Wait in this cove for the water to go slack. Plan to be in the water waiting in the cove 30 minutes prior to a long predicted slack before a very mild ebb.

The same precautions should be made for a boat dive without the concern of a return trip. Ideally you would want to drift from the east side of the bridge to the west so that you can be picked up in the safety of the cove.