Les Davis Fishing Pier, Tacoma

One site that has been overlooked is right in Tacoma. Les Davis fishing pier. It’s a very popular site, and has many of the scrapped pieces from the old Tacoma narrows bridge dumped there creating a nice artificial reef. Lots of classes going on there, but its still not to bad. It also makes a nice place for night diving. As a side note, you do need to be aware of the currents in the hood canal, on high exchanges the current can unexpectedly pick up rapidly, especially at places like sund rock, which by the way, is one of the best shore dives in the entire area and is easily done for free. There are two pull outs next to the road with signs and a short hike down to the water. You have about a hundred yards of surface swimming, and that's when the current comes into play ;). -- BanditoXXX <br><br> This site exhibits a healthy marine environment and the pier (to the east of the divers' entry point) is popular with sportfishermen. Divers should have no difficulty avoiding the pier. Access to the beach requires climbing down a pile of concrete blocks that have settled and now provide uncertain footing for a heavily burdened diver. Soon after entry, the diver may see moon snails, sea pens, sunflower stars, blood stars, alabaster nudibranchs, and a great variety of Northwestern marine life. In deeper water, there are sections of concrete roadway that provide hiding places for many vulnerable species and a fortunate diver may find a shy octopus. You will certainly find rockfish, lingcod and cabezon. As the diver moves away from shore, the bottom slopes more sharply and depths will exceed 100 feet. This is a deservedly popular site for recently certified and advanced divers alike. -- Edward J. Palumbo The Les Davis Pier is located in Perce County (WA) in the city of Tacoma near the Dalco Passage. Take I-5 to Hwy 705, exit northwest to Ruston Way and follow it past the old fire boat station to the Les Davis Pier.