North Jetty 

For a detailed chart of Florence click on the following link: Florence (113K)

Dive Type:  Shore

Experience Level:  Beginning to Intermediate

Dangers:  Most bay dives should be made during slack tide.  The North Jetty lies close to the channel so divers are easily exposed to tidal currents. Visibility can be low.  Always take a compass bearing before entering the water.

Dive Profile:  What a great dive!  Access to the site is easy once you find the small dirt road that leads to it.  There is a large dirt parking lot that puts you within a few steps of the entry point, a small bay to the NW and a larger bay to the SE.  Both bays are surrounded by beach so bring a blanket and relax after the dive.  When you arrive you'll see a large steel structure embedded in the ground and colored maroon with rust.  Walk to the end and you'll find a protected cove where you can enter.  We recommend entering at slack high tide so you only have to climb down a few rocks to get in.  To the SE of the entry point you will see a spur jetty and a green can off its point.  Diving is great in this area, just make sure you BRING A GOOD LIGHT.  If you're looking for clams and crab this is the place.  The bottom is about 35 feet deep  just off the rocks, providing habitat for Gapers and Dungeness.  Within the rocks you'll find hermit crabs and small fish (Sculpin seem to love it here).  Finally, make sure you keep tabs on your air because, like most bay dives, you have to swim back.

Directions:  From Hwy 101 go to 35th street and turn West toward the ocean.  Follow 35th until it runs directly into Rododendron.  Turn right on Rododendron and drive North 1.3 miles to the Harbor Vista/North Jetty turn off (you'll see the brown signs).  Turn left on Harbor Vista and drive about 0.3 mile west.  On your left you will pass a small turnout overlooking the channel.  At 0.4 mile you will find the small dirt road (on your left) leading to the dive site (the road is opposite a large dirt turnout on the right).  Follow the little dirt road to the end, and dive!  For more detailed directions check out Yahoo! Maps