YSS Dive

Located in the Pacific Northwest, YSS Dive operates from two distinct bases in Shelton, on the Hood Canal, and Port Townsend. As a NAUI Platinum Pro centre and an approved NAUI VA testing centre, they provide a high level of formal instruction and technical support for the local diving community.

Beyond local training, the centre organises organised dive expeditions to international destinations, including Roatán, Fiji, and the Philippines. Whether you are looking to complete your first certification or are progressing through professional levels, the centre is built around a community of divers rather than just a transactional service.

The centre is led by instructors John and Katherine Yackel, who bring more than 35 years of experience to the industry. Their expertise has been recognised with Elite Instructor Awards for six consecutive years, and their work has been featured in Scuba Diving Magazine and the Undersea Journal.

As a NAUI Platinum Pro facility, the team is geared towards high-standard education, catering to everyone from those taking their first breaths underwater to professionals pursuing careers in the diving industry. The environment is designed to support divers as they grow in skill, confidence, and technical competence.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the full spectrum of NAUI certifications. Beginners can start with Bubblemaker or Open Water Diver, while those looking to advance can progress through Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Deep Diver courses.

Specialised training is a core strength, with options including Dry Suit Diver, Nitrox (Enriched Air), Drift Diver, Wreck Diver, and Sidemount Diver. For those on a professional track, the centre offers Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Open Water Scuba Instructor, and Staff Instructor programmes, as well as Diving First Aid for Professionals (DFA Pro).

The centre provides a full range of rental equipment, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, and drysuits. For those requiring specialised kit, they offer sidemount and bailout configurations, as well as 3L CCR cylinders for rebreather divers. Accessories such as torches, masks, fins, and computers are also available for hire.

On-site services include expert equipment maintenance and repairs. For those diving in colder local waters, they stock a variety of thermal protection including wetsuits, drysuits, undergarments, hoods, gloves, and boots.

The local marine life includes various species such as turtles, moray eels, and large schools of reef fish. You may also encounter sea lions and giant Pacific octopuses throughout your dives.

In September, divers have the opportunity to see six-gill sharks. The area is also home to various species of eels and large predatory fish.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants include various species of octopus and other cephalopods that inhabit the local structures.