Rock Greenling

Salt Creek Recreation Area, Washington State

The shallow, rocky reefs and dense kelp beds off Tongue Point on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula host a stunning array of colorful, photogenic marine life. The rarely seen rock greenling—a holy grail for local fish geeks—lives here among swaying seagrasses and kelp, but you’ll need next-level critter-hunting skills and luck to find and photograph this cryptic beauty.

Related Reading: 5 Best Dive Sites on Oregon’s South Coast

Need To Know Sea conditions and shore access can be challenging. Choose days with small tidal exchanges, minimal wind and low-to-no swell. Dive at high tide, entering from a cove reached by descending a path near campsite No. 63. Visit pnwdiving.com for helpful info.

Photographer Brandon Cole (@brandondcole)