Exotic Aquatics Ltd.

Located on scenic Bainbridge Island, Exotic Aquatics is a cornerstone of the local diving community, having provided instruction, rentals, and guided adventures for more than 35 years. The centre serves the Seattle area and the Kitsap Peninsula, offering a gateway to the unique marine environments of the Pacific Northwest.

Whether you are looking to start your training or are an experienced diver seeking guided trips to local reefs and wrecks, the centre operates with a deep understanding of the local waters. Their presence on the island ensures a local touch for both scuba enthusiasts and those looking to explore the coastline by kayak.

The team at Exotic Aquatics consists of five professional instructors dedicated to high standards of safety and instruction. As a PADI 5 Star Training Facility, they are equipped to handle a wide range of certifications and skill levels.

Their expertise extends across various disciplines, from fundamental open water training to specialised skills like drysuit diving and wreck exploration. The staff is knowledgeable about the local conditions, ensuring that both students and guided groups are well-prepared for the specific demands of the Puget Sound.

Exotic Aquatics offers a comprehensive curriculum through PADI, ranging from initial certifications to advanced specialties. New divers can begin with the PADI Open Water Diver course or use the PADI Open Water Referral programme to continue their training elsewhere.

For those looking to advance their skills, the centre provides AOWD (Advanced Open Water Diver), Rescue Diver, and various specialty courses. These include Peak Performance Buoyancy, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Drift Diver specialties, as well as more niche training such as the Drysuit Diver Specialty and the Underwater Naturalist Specialty. They also offer SCUBA Reactivate for divers looking to refresh their skills.

The centre is a full-service facility providing complete SCUBA kit hire for divers. This includes regulators, BCDs, exposure suits, and fins, allowing you to dive without the need to transport your own heavy equipment.

For those who prefer to bring their own gear, the shop also provides tank drop-off and pick-up services for fills and rentals at the public dock. Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time during recreational dives.

The marine life in this region is defined by a rich variety of rockfish, including copper, black, and blue varieties, alongside large lingcod and cabezons. You will frequently encounter plumose anemones coating the rocks and kelp, providing a vibrant backdrop of white and orange.

Macro life is abundant throughout the various reefs and rocky structures. Divers can spend hours observing nudibranchs, decorator crabs, kelp crabs, and various species of sea stars. Octopus are a common sight, with many sites hosting dens for both common and Pacific Giant Octopus.

In the deeper sections and along the walls, you may encounter more elusive species. Keep a keen eye out for wolf eels tucked into rock crevices, or sea pens standing in the sandy substrate. While most sightings are predictable, the occasional six gill shark may be spotted rising from the depths.

Conditions in the Puget Sound vary significantly depending on the specific site and the daily tides. Currents can range from mild to strong, particularly at sites like The Cribs or Agate Pass, where drift diving is a common activity.

Agate Pass is known for its predictable drift, with currents typically ranging between 2 and 4 knots depending on the tidal cycle. Divers should be prepared for these moving waters and be comfortable with drift diving techniques.