Hunters Reef

Best months: Aug–Oct

Protected Area

Knob and Round Islands Conservation Lands

Why dive here

With 77+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and jellyfish lake - Hunters Reef offers some of Nova Scotia's richest reef diving. Water ranges 1-17°C, warmest August, September, October.

Best timeAug–Oct

WetsuitA 7mm wetsuit with a hood

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Jellyfish Lake · 77+ species recorded

Water1-17°C · warmest August, September, October

CharacterReef dive

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Nova Scotia isn't always the first place that comes to mind for a dive trip, but Hunters Reef offers a genuine cold-water experience. We've found the visibility here can be a bit of a gamble, often hovering around 5-10 meters, so a good dive light is a smart call. You'll likely spot plenty of Atlantic cod nosing around the rocky crevices, and we’ve even seen the occasional little skate glide by on the sandy patches. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, like common shore crabs scuttling over the rocks. It’s a decent option for divers who appreciate the unique challenges and rewards of temperate diving, especially those keen to see what the North Atlantic has to offer beyond the tropics.

Safety Notes

Cold water this month (avg 15°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

Today06:2717:4411h 17m daylightGolden hour 17:05

Reviews for Hunters Reef

Conditions

Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Hunters Reef

Hunters Reef Ocean Conditions

Monthly averages for Hunters Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (44.6, -63.5) (0km away)