New to Portland Oregon

[nivla80]

Hey folks,

Will be moving to Portland, Oregon for the next year or so. Can someone tell me what to expect for the diving community there?

Water temperatures, locations, and most importantly, any diveshops..

Thank you!

 

[garrett58]

i lived in portland for a while and found most of the diving in fresh water a good dive is the warshougal river near camas washington there is a section that looks like it might have been quarried it is about 30ft deep and crystal clear there is a water fall at one end and when the river is low salmon get stuck at the water fall and cant get past until the river comes up again so you are able to swim amongst them. no fishing is allowed in that area. another good spot is also in washington near vancouver a lake called battle ground more like a very larg pond it is spring fed and usually has good vis i soloed i both of these spots all the time. for serious diving about two hours away is the puget sound and hood canal or even further up is the san juan islands all very cold but excellent diving

 

[nivla80]

Thank you so much! That means a dry suit course and drysuit is in order!

 

[diveborg]

Most all the divers I know go up to the Puget Sound for most of their "local" diving. It is about a 5 hour drive to British Columbia and the diving there is memorable. If it weren't for drysuit diving, I wouldn't be able to do any local diving.

 

[StevenB]

Hi Nivla80,

I am in Portland. There are a few shore dives in Oregon, but most people do head up to Puget Sound.

Many dive with a 7mil wetsuit and are comfortable. It gets a little more difficult in the winter when everything gets colder. If you can swing it, the drysuit is the best way to go.

There are several good dive shop in Portland and Vancouver. Depending on where you stay in Portland, just check out a few and see where you are comfortable. I like Underwater Works in Tigard and Steve's Scuba in Milwaukie.

There are also some good clubs. I belong to Club Paradise. oregonscuba.com They do monthly club dives.


Let me know when you get here and I can show you somme dive sites.

SteveB

 

[Scottri]

The water temps in the ocean around here is pretty consistant at around 50 degrees. The surface temp can be higher or lower depending on the season but below 15' it is generally around 50. Most people use either a 2 piece 7mm wet suit or a dry suit. There are some river and lake dives in the area and some shore diving around Tillamook Bay and Newport but as was said earlier, most people head up to Hood Canal or the Puget Sound between Tacoma and north of Seattle. Drop me a line and I can give you more info.

Where in the Portland area do you live?

 

[nivla80]

Thank you for the warm welcome!

I will be in Beaverton Oregon, and hope to meet you all soon! After settling down, first stop will be the nearest dive shop. =D

Please check your PM's cos i will be looking forward to meeting you all! lol

 

[Scottri]

If you live in Beaverton there are two shops on that side of town, Pacific Water Sports on 170th and TV Highway and Under Water Works on Main Street in Tigard. Both are good shops. I am partial to Under Water Works but that is because I'm a Divemaster there

 

[nivla80]

Awesome. I would probably head there once i am settled down, and ask if they need a DM. =D Thanks!

 

[Dutchman]

My wife and I just returned from Astoria and Newport, OR. What a wonderful place. Does anyone dive the wrecks around Astoria? We visited the Maritime museum. The maps of ship wrecks really were calling me.