In Seattle in Jan. Good time for diving? Anyone want to meet up maybe

[Jak Crow]

I'll be in Seattle in January for work and I was wondering about getting some diving in if possible. I'm from SF area of California, so I'm doing my fare share of cold water diving, but I'm not sure of the dive conditions in WA in January. Suggestions?

[TSandM]

Water temperatures will be in the high 40's. If it is not stormy, the water will be fairly calm. Visibility varies wildly in the wintertime -- if we have had a whole series of storms, the vis will be poor due to particulate runoff from the rivers. If it hasn't rained recently, winter viz can be quite good.

We are very fortunate here. We CAN dive (and shore dive, to boot) almost any day that the weather isn't so foul that you just wouldn't want to (and sometimes on those days, too -- she says, remembering coming back in on a Bandito charter in 40 mph winds and snow). It's just that sometimes you can't see very much :)

Let us know closer to the time that you are coming, and I'm sure you can scare up some dive buddies who would be happy to show you some of our sites. You can't miss diving a place that's a stone's throw from the center of downtown, and full of Giant Pacific octopuses!

[Jak Crow]

I figured things would be similar to Monterey. My only concern was the temp. I've got my own semi-dry, but I don't think I'd want to bring it with me and deal with cleaning it. How are the LDS with semi- or full dry suit rentals? I looked up the local dive spots and I was surprised how many are so close to town. Looks like it'll be a breeze to find a spot.

[marcbeaudry]

i'll be in Seattle in mid- January - if you've got any weekdays available -i'd love to dive there !
keep me in mind -
marc

[TSandM]

Well, I don't know about all the shops, but the one Peter teaches for does rent DUI suits and undergarments. It isn't cheap -- I think it's $60 a day. Another dive shop I know of has suits, but I wouldn't recommend renting them. I don't know what rental policies are, but I know that when I needed to rent a suit in SoCal, I had to present a dry suit specialty card to get it (which, since I certified in a dry suit, I didn't have . . . which is how Peter ended up renting a lady's small suit :) )

[NWGratefulDiver]

Tacoma Scuba also rents drysuits ... ain't cheap, and you'll need a drysuit C-card to rent one anywhere.

Drop me a line when you're getting close to your trip dates ... if I ain't busy, I'll go diving with ya ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[Jak Crow]

I could possibly bring my semi-dry with me, but I don't know if I want to deal with the hassle. I should have my drysuit cert by January as well. And it's looking like I'll be up there 1st half of Jan.

[Jak Crow]

So I'll be in Seattle from Jan 10th thru the 22nd. I'll be there for work, so weekdays I'll be available for some night diving, and the 14th and 15th I'll be good for both day and night dives.

[dwashbur]

What are your dimensions? I have a spare dry suit that I don't use any more, and would be happy to loan it to you.

[TSandM]

Where in Seattle are you going to be? There are standing dives, Monday at Mukilteo (north of Seattle), every other Tuesday Moss Bay at Cove 2; DIR Tweaks on Wednesday night (everyone welcome), a Thursday daytime south end dive. I am off the whole time you are here, so I should be able to meet you for at least one or two dives. We also have a spare drysuit you might be able to borrow, depending on sizing.

[Jak Crow]

What are your dimensions? I have a spare dry suit that I don't use any more, and would be happy to loan it to you.
Chunky. Most 3XLs sizes should fit me. I dove with a 2XL DUI yesterday and it was just a bit tight.

[dwashbur]

Chunky. Most 3XLs sizes should fit me. I dove with a 2XL DUI yesterday and it was just a bit tight.

Unfortunately, my suit wouldn't fit then. Sorry!

[Jak Crow]

Where in Seattle are you going to be? There are standing dives, Monday at Mukilteo (north of Seattle), every other Tuesday Moss Bay at Cove 2; DIR Tweaks on Wednesday night (everyone welcome), a Thursday daytime south end dive. I am off the whole time you are here, so I should be able to meet you for at least one or two dives. We also have a spare drysuit you might be able to borrow, depending on sizing.

Not sure exactly yet, but I'll have a car so I assume I'll be able to get anywhere in the bay area. For the weekdays I'll be working 9am till 5 or 6, the 14th and 15th I'll be free completely, with some possible dive options the 21st.

[TSandM]

Well, our spare dry suit won't work, unfortunately. (Peter and I are both relatively small people.)

The Monday Mukilteo dives are at 4 and 6:30. The Wednesday Alki Tweak is at 6:30. Moss Bay has a dive every other Tuesday at Alki, which is also at 6:30.

If the money is not an issue, you might contact Bandito Charters about the weekend. The tides are not fabulous for any of our better shore diving sites, but going off a live boat expands the options.

Too bad you are working -- the tides the 18th through the 21st are FANTASTIC!

[Jak Crow]

Well, our spare dry suit won't work, unfortunately. (Peter and I are both relatively small people.)

The Monday Mukilteo dives are at 4 and 6:30. The Wednesday Alki Tweak is at 6:30. Moss Bay has a dive every other Tuesday at Alki, which is also at 6:30.

If the money is not an issue, you might contact Bandito Charters about the weekend. The tides are not fabulous for any of our better shore diving sites, but going off a live boat expands the options.

Too bad you are working -- the tides the 18th through the 21st are FANTASTIC!

I may come into possession of my own drysuit by the time I arrive up there, but if I need to I can bring my Mares semi-dry. I would be able to do a boat on the weekend too.

[Jak Crow]

Looks like my work has decided to screw me over and I won't be going to Seattle. Please disregard this topic with prejudice.

[TSandM]

Well, if things change, Jak, you have a lot of information about how to visit here!

[marcbeaudry]

so these dives ;
Monday at Mukilteo (north of Seattle), every other Tuesday Moss Bay at Cove 2; DIR Tweaks on Wednesday night (everyone welcome), a Thursday daytime south end dive.
are simply 'show ups' and hope someone is looking for a buddy ? i dounf this link
Scuba Shore Diving Site Page for: Mukilteo T-Dock of Washington, USA West (http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/Washington/Mukilteo_T/index.htm)
is this the same spot ?

i'm just jonesing for some time off now !
marc

[TSandM]

Several of those dives have threads on the previously mentioned NW Dive Club site, where people post if they are coming, so that nobody ends up showing up and having no one with whom to dive. It's also a good way to make sure you have equipment, if you need to borrow anything. But yes, in general, people show up and form teams once it's clear who-all is there.

Yes, that's the Mukilteo site, although the T-dock shown in the photo is no longer there.

[VooDooGasMan]

wow I did not know they took the fisheries dock down, I could of swore I seen it last time going to the mainland. Odd as that is how they get sea water in there building for there sea life.