pacific city

Dive Profile: Two reefs can found offshore from Pacific City. The inner reef is shallow, about 40 ft, and provides some great diving for new divers. Rock scallops, sea bass, and lingcod can be found. Shallow water life such as starfish and sea urchins also adorn the rocks. To find the outer reef travel due west past Haystack Rock. The outer reef is incredible. Just imagine haystack rock being slightly smaller and submerged beneath the waves. The top of the reef, or more appropriately giant rock, lies at about 30 feet. The sloping walls of the monster boulder run from the pointed cone down to the bottom at 100+ feet. Kelp, rock scallops, and small green anemones cover the top. Small schools of sea bass float close by. A few of the older bass find protection in patches of giant white anemones that adorn the wall in various places. Further down, deeper into the ocean, you will find the big fish. Large lingcod find dens in the cracks and boulders at the base of the reef, and it's not unusual to see 20-30 pound fish while cruising the bottom. Some of the larger cracks run so deep they disappear into inky blackness, even when casting a strong beam from a dive light. One of the most impressive features of the reef is a magnificent arch found on the West side. Large enough to drive a full size truck through and deep enough to make a nice garage, if one was so inclined. The floor of the arch is over 100 feet deep and covered with large polished stones...much like river rock. The stones are a unique feature and their presence a mystery.

Directions: Pacific City is a boat dive with launch access from Tillamook Bay, Netarts Bay, or Pacific City. Launching from Tillamook is the safest route due to the secure ocean channel produced by the jetties. Launches from Netarts Bay should only be attempted by experienced boat captains; the channel is unprotected. Boats entering the ocean from Pacific City launch off the sandy beaches and must be designed and equipped for such procedures. Normally flat bottom dories or light inflatables are the only boats attempting such a launch. Qualified dive charters from U.S.I.A. and Doug's Diving can provide experienced divers with a wonderful day of diving at Pacific City.