Z's Reef
Z's reef is an amazing, LONG wall located just off the north side of Fox
Island.
The wall is almost 200 yards long and is loaded with wolf eels, octopus and many
other critters. It's not all that tall, but is just about guaranteed
to produce an amazing array of critters to marvel at. Many will even pose
for you underwater photographers.
Unfortunately, there just isn't any shore access to this
site (unless you want to buy one of the expensive houses along the shore).
This makes this a boat-only dive, and the site is very popular with local dive
charters.
Most of the wall starts in about 40' of water, with the bottom at about 60'.
It is comprised of a lot of large and small rock ledges that are full of hiding
holes. Drop in about 30 minutes prior to slack water and drift along the
base of the wall, peering into all of the wolf eel and octopus dens. Then
drift back along the top of the wall as the current shifts to find entirely new
sets of creatures.
We have seen several juvenile wolf eels at this site, as well as 4 or more
wolfies jammed into one small hole. Keep your eyes sharp and look under
the ledges at the base of the wall for Octopus. I do not think I have ever
dove this site without spotting both wolf eels and octopus.
The wall is easy to find with a depth finder and the bottom area above the
wall offers good anchorage, so set the hook, fly a dive flag and have a nice
dive. This site is a bit current sensitive, so is best done on small tidal
exchanges from an anchored boat, or just about any time if you have a live boat
to pick you up.
GPS Coordinates: 47° 14.9' N
122° 36.26' W
Boat Launches:
Launch your boat at the Fox Island, Wollochet, Day Island Marina or Point
Defiance boat ramps. Note: the Wollochet and Fox Island ramps work for
small boats and four-wheel drive trucks, but if you're hauling a big boat, then
the much nicer ramps on the east side of the Narrows will make your life much
easier.