Point Defiance West Wall is an exciting boat dive near Owen Beach at Point Defiance in Tacoma. It boasts tall clay walls, dropping from 30' at the top to 60-80' at the base and is relatively sheltered from incoming tides (in other words it is diveable during a low to moderate flood). The face of the wall is riddled with clam holes that have marred the face so that very little of the current-swept wall is smooth. These holes make great homes for small creatures like nudibranchs, scallops and sculpin, while sea stars cling to the surface in search of their next meal. Rockfish and schools of perch swim in and out of the crevices. Due to the clay substrate and heavy current, invertebrate life growing on the wall is limited, but the grandeur of the wall more than compensates.

Conditions: Point Defiance West Wall is an advanced dive site due to depth, likely currents, and the sheer and immediate drop. Be careful when trying to find a place to anchor. The wall runs close to shore and your boat could end up beached or stuck in the trees, or worse yet, swept away in the strong currents.

Marine life: Commonly seen: giant pacific octopus, sailfin sculpin, sculpin, sea star, and kelp greenling. Divers have also reported decorated warbonnet.