Edmonds, Washington, United States

Wolf Eel City

Wolf Eel City is the local nickname for a particular glacial boulder pile on the Possession Sound side of Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, Washington, named for the consistent population of breeding pairs of wolf eels (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) that live in dens between the boulders. Wolf eels are not true eels but elongated members of the wolffish family, can grow to 2 metres, and pair-bond for life in the same den; the site is one of the most reliable places in North America to encounter them in their natural setting. The pile sits in 21 to 30 metres on a sand bottom, accessed by boat from Edmonds. Other regular species include giant Pacific octopus, lingcod up to a metre, kelp greenling, painted greenling, copper and quillback rockfish, Puget Sound king crab and large fields of metridium and sun anemones. Visibility 6 to 12 metres depending on plankton; cold water year-round (8 to 12 C). Dry suit and advanced certification mandatory.