Whales Back
Protected Area
Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve
Why dive here
With 65+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - Whales Back offers some of Newfoundland's richest reef diving. Water ranges 0-14°C, warmest July, August, September.
Whales Back gives you a real taste of Canadian cold water diving. We’re talking proper Atlantic action here, where the corals are often soft and come in surprising hues against the muted rock. Keep your eyes peeled for lumpsuckers clinging to the substrate, and we’ve often spotted Greenland and Parrot Shrimp tucked into crevices. It’s a site for divers who appreciate the subtler beauty of a colder reef, a place where you might just share the water with an orca passing through if you're lucky. Not for the faint of heart, but rewarding for those who brave the chill.
Safety Notes
Cold water this month (avg 11°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Whales Back
Whales Back Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Whales Back, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (47.85, -53.09) (38km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
11°C
51°F · Range: 8.4–13.7°C
Current Speed
1 cm/s
Direction: E (90°)
Salinity
30.75 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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