Depoe Bay 

For a detailed chart of Depoe Bay click on the following link:   Depoe Bay (135K)

Dive Type:  Boat

Experience Level:  Beginning to Intermediate

Dangers:  Not advisable to dive inside the bay.  When diving outside the bay a diver is exposed to both shallow and deep diving scenarios.  Make sure you are comfortable diving in surge and diving deep.  Each diver should dive within their limits.

Dive Profile:  Depoe Bay offers some wonderful Northwest diving provided you have access to a boat.  Just outside the bay entrance, to the Northwest, lies a ridge of rock that makes a slow descent into the bay from the north.  The ridge runs NE to SW.  The top of the diveable portion lies in 15-20 feet and supports a kelp habitat.  The kelp forest follows the top of the ridge as it slops off to the West into deeper water.  The eastside is a sheer wall that bottoms out at 60-70 feet below the surface.  The area supports a variety of fish and diving is best with low swell.  Divers can see perch, greenling, lingcod, and cabezon.  Depoe Bay offers some of the best kelp diving found along the Oregon coast.

Directions:  If you're headed South on Hwy 101, cross the bay bridge and drive a short distance until you see the Marina turn off on the left (there will be signs).  Take the turn off and then follow Shell Ave. to the Marina.  If you're coming North on Hwy 101 look for the Marina turn off signs as you enter Depoe Bay.  For more detailed directions check out Yahoo! Maps.