Scuba Diving The Oregon Coast, Port Orford

When Scuba diving the Oregon Coast, Port Orford, there are 2 options, either you have a friend with a boat, (most boats have to be lowered into the water by a hydraulic strap hoist, manned operated by a friendly dock employee) or you are having to dive from land.

If you have a boat then there are several large rock formations that have a lot of fish for spearfishing if that’s what you into like me. **Safety note **, Always be careful and aware of your surroundings when boating Port Orford, the weather can change without any notice and rough seas can come up on you all of the sudden. Diving Port Orford can be a challenge but well worth it, always check your dive gear and consult your own personal pre dive gear checklist before water entry.

When diving from the shore there are several possibilities for a successful dive. You can dive from the beach to the left of the main concrete dock and enter and exit from the sand, you can sometimes work your way under the dock and get some good diving. Or you can also enter the water on the right side but you have to park on the rt side of the dock and go over the wall and follow a concrete path to a series of large rocks to enter the water.

When entering the water from the large rocks it is best to have a buddy help you into the water and hand your gear down to you after entry, because it is about a 5 ft drop into the water from the rocks, there is sometimes a rope that divers use to get into the water from the rocks.

This dive can take a toll on your diving gear if you don’t be careful because of the way you have to enter the water, so pick your entry method and have your buddy slowly assist you into the water keeping close tabs on your dive gear.

Once into the water you will most definitely have to deal with the surge of waves that consistently crash between the rocks, so get under the water as soon as you can to avoid the waves and surge.

Take your compass heading and plot you course of action, usually I head away from the rocks and follow alongside the dock, there are some very large boulders that are all over the place that will hold some fish gathered around them if your fishing with a spear gun or spear pole.

There is little to no boat traffic so you biggest concern may be underwater limited visibility, if you stay close to the dock and don’t venture too far from it you should see a lot of fish and maybe even some crab.

Port Orford is one of the best dives you can have, under the right weather and wind conditions, Always dive safely with a buddy and you will have a blast, If you have questions please contact me and I will get back to you asap. Thanks Greg