Dalco Wall  |  USA: Inland Dives

Wall

The top of the wall starts in about 40-50ftsw and is a spectacular site to see, if not a bit daunting. The wall is huge and beautifully sculpted. The bottom will be no where is site as you crest the top of the wall but it will appear at 80-100ft depending on where you descend, and a second wall below that point will take you to depths well over 200ftsw. The wall is most notable for the beautiful sandstone seascape, crevices and massive appearance. The wall itself is relatively barren of large sea life and occupied primarily by scallops, sculpin, and other small creatures. If moving to the west, the wall ends just around the point from the entry in front of the bulkhead with some impressive sculpture, shelves and crevices. I am not sure how far it extends toward the ferry dock…yet. The shelf above the wall has more plant life and is home to greenling and other varieties of fish.

Be advised, this site was created by the intense currents that come through here daily. EXPECT to encounter current on this dive. There are strong waterfall currents and exceptional depths and should be reserved for trained and experienced divers only. Plan your dive around a minimal exchange entering into a flooding current. It is recommended to dive on slack before the flood, NOT ebb, to avoid water falling currents. The shelf above the wall is often stronger than on the wall itself and can result in a challenging swim back to the boat. Please plan your dive carefully. Make sure to anchor your boat carefully away from the top of the wall so it doesn’t get swept away.

Dalco Wall is a colossal wall dive near the Tacoma Narrows on the South of Vashon Island just west of the Point Defiance - Tahlequah ferry dock. Moving west from the ferry dock, you will pass a few houses on the water and come to a cement bulkhead several hundred yards from the ferry. Anchor directly in front of this bulkhead and double check your anchor as you begin your dive due to the gravelly bottom and heavy current potential. Swim out to about 40ftsw and you will find the top of the wall.