Flagpole Point is a great but deep dive in Hood Canal . Cloud sponges, octopuses, and wolf eels are the norm here.

Access & parking:

Shore diving is arranged through Mike's Beach Resort. There used to be a dirt driveway that let you drive closer to the site than parking at the resort; word is that road access is no longer available, so the swim to do this site from shore is longer than it used to be. A lot of patience or a scooter would be required! Mike's Beach previously sold permits for the closer parking area. They may still require a permit to dive from their property — check with the resort and let us know if you have updates.

Conditions:

Like most Hood Canal sites, Flagpole is not very current-sensitive except on the biggest tidal exchanges. Surface current can run here when there is wind — the dive is not recommended on such days, especially if you are shore diving the long surface swim out to the dive-site marker buoy. From shore it is a long but doable swim or scooter run when the surface is calm.

Depth & gas:

The good structure starts around 60 feet and runs well into advanced recreational depths. Reserve enough gas for the return swim.