Benson Rock
Why dive here
With 58+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, humpback whales, orcas and seals & sea lions - Benson Rock offers some of Alaska's richest diving.
Halifax. Now, this is a dive that really stands out on a good day. Tucked away on the north side of Cabbage Tree Island, it’s all about the topography here. We love dropping down into the gutters, following them as they wind through the reef. You’ll find yourself navigating past rocky outcrops covered in sponges and the occasional soft coral. Keep your eyes peeled for those smaller critters – the Banded Rockcod are a common sight, just hanging out in the crevices, and we’ve often spotted the Wrinkled Swimming Crabs scuttling across the sand patches. The real magic happens when the current is gentle and the sun is high. That’s when the light plays through the water, illuminating the vibrant colours of the sponges. It’s a relatively shallow dive, making it perfect for longer bottom times. We'd suggest this one for divers who enjoy exploring the nooks and crannies of a reef, rather than chasing pelagics. Our favourite part? Cruising through a particularly wide gutter, watching schools of small fish dart in and out of the shadows. Just keep an eye on the surge if there's any swell running; it can make navigating those gutters a bit more of a workout.
Reviews for Benson Rock
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Benson Rock
Benson Rock Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Benson Rock, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (55.23, -4) (0km away)
August Averages
Air Temperature
12.7°C
55°F
Wind Speed
5.31 m/s
10.3 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1012.9 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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