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Agate Pass
 Bainbridge Island, WA
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Entry Type: Shore
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 2.00 by 1 divers
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Agate Pass is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located in Bainbridge Island, WA. This dive site has an average rating of 2.00 out of 5 from 1 scuba divers.
Agate Pass, located on Washington’s Bainbridge Island, is a challenging and exhilarating drift dive known for its strong currents and diverse marine life, requiring an advanced skill level due to its nature as a high-speed drift dive with no shore access to the starting point. Divers can experience a thrilling ride with currents ranging from 2 to 4 knots, covering significant distances while observing various sea stars, barnacles, anemones, and fish like lingcod and cabezon.
Skill Level & Entry:
It is considered a dive for advanced open water divers or above due to the strong currents and the need for a specialized drift dive technique. There is no shore access to the starting point, requiring a boat entry, typically a negative drop entry for a "Navy Seal" style start with the current.
Diving Technique:
It’s a high-speed drift dive, where divers let the current do the work to cover ground. Planning is crucial to account for currents and tide changes, aiming for modest tide exchanges (6 feet or less) for optimal conditions.
Marine Life:
The pass is teeming with invertebrates like barnacles, anemones, and sponges, as well as a variety of fish, including lingcod, cabezon, perch, and rockfish, especially near the bridge piers and in rocky areas.
Hazards:
The primary hazards are the strong currents which can reach up to 7 knots, and boats. Divers should be aware of their surroundings, listen for boat traffic, and ascend with a reserve of air.
Best Time to Dive:
While currents are strong year-round, diving during a modest tide exchange is recommended. Winter months generally offer better visibility, as summer algae blooms can reduce it.