Point Doughty

Point Doughty is the northwest corner of Orcas Island, north of Eastsound, and the underwater terrain there is a cascade: rock formations stepping down a steep incline, small walls, boulder fields, and lone boulders that stand more than 15 feet tall and 20 feet across. Broken white shell substrate lies between the rock structures. The diveable range runs from 60 to 80 feet, with the rocky structure continuing past 80 feet on the north side, which offers the steepest and most interesting profile.

Above the shoreline sits the Point Doughty Natural Area Preserve, a 57-acre Washington DNR designation that protects Douglas-fir and ocean-spray rain-shadow forest characteristic of the San Juans. The neighboring private YMCA Camp Orkila uses the point for educational programs. Its terrestrial boundary closes the forest to the public, not the water; divers passing offshore encounter no site-specific marine closure.

The rocky reef biome runs from the cascading formations at the top through the boulder fields below, with copper rockfish and cushion stars among the documented residents. Seals haul out on the rocky shoreline above. Scuba is the only documented activity. Divers should work the site only on flooding current during minor exchanges, using the Parker Reef current station 1 mile north as the reference. Strong currents visible beyond the point can sweep divers past the sheltered north side, and rock and sand shoals at the tip produce significant tide rips.

Access is boat only for divers; the surrounding forest is off-limits, and the small day-use water-access site on the south side supports only kayak and small-boat landing, with 1 free primitive campsite, a vault toilet, and no fresh water. The nearest formal launch is Washington Park in Anacortes, roughly 22 miles away, and charter boats out of Anacortes are the practical way to reach the point. No site-specific marine closure applies, so standard Marine Area 7 rules govern: rockfish retention is prohibited across Marine Areas 6 through 13, lingcod spearfishing runs May 21 to June 15 with a 36-inch maximum and a daily limit of 1 fish, and cabezon is open May 1 to November 30 at an 18-inch minimum with the same daily limit. WDFW enforces.