Diving in Pacific Northwest

Explore 149 dive sites in Pacific Northwest, United States. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Pacific Northwest

The warmest water temperatures in Pacific Northwest occur in August, averaging 16.5°C (up to 15.6°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 6.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 7.1°C (air: 6.3°C)
  • February: 6.9°C (air: 4.5°C)
  • March: 7.7°C (air: 6.6°C)
  • April: 9.5°C (air: 8.7°C)
  • May: 12.0°C (air: 11.7°C)
  • June: 14.0°C (air: 13.7°C)
  • July: 15.7°C (air: 14.9°C)
  • August: 16.5°C (air: 15.7°C)
  • September: 14.3°C (air: 14.0°C)
  • October: 11.4°C (air: 10.5°C)
  • November: 8.8°C (air: 7.4°C)
  • December: 7.7°C (air: 5.5°C)

Marine Life in Pacific Northwest

Home to 38 recorded species including 18 reef fish, 7 crabs & lobsters, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 sharks & rays, 2 clams & mussels, 2 sea urchins.

Dive Site Difficulty in Pacific Northwest

Pacific Northwest has 5 beginner, 1 intermediate, 1 advanced dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Pacific Northwest

Based on average water temperature of 11.0°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 11°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Pacific Northwest

  • Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Maury Island Aquatic Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Sund Rock Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Orchard Rocks Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Admiralty Head Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • San Juan County/Cypress Island Marine Biological Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Bare Island Voluntary No - Take - Bottom Fish Recovery Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Brackett's Landing Shoreline Sanctuary Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Yellow and Low Islands San Juan Islands Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • False Bay San Juan Islands Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Friday Harbor San Juan Islands Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Shaw Island San Juan Islands Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Cypress Island Aquatic Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Copalis - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Flattery Rocks - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Quillayute Needles - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Marrowstone - Wildlife Management Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Blake Island Underwater Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Deception Pass Underwater Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Bell Island Voluntary No-take - Bottom Fish Recovery Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Charles Island Voluntary No-take - Bottom Fish Recovery Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Gull Rock Voluntary No-take - Bottom Fish Recovery Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Kellett Bluff Voluntary No-take - Bottom Fish Recovery Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Lawrence Point Voluntary No-take - Bottom Fish Recovery Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Lime Kiln Lighthouse Voluntary No-take - Bottom Fish Recovery Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Pile Point Voluntary No - Take - Bottom Fish Recovery Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Grays Harbor Audubon Society - Local Land Trust (IUCN Category V)
  • Beaconsfield on the Sound - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Eames Tidelands - Tidelands (IUCN Category VI)
  • Hood Canal Land Trust - Local Land Trust (IUCN Category V)
  • North Bay Natural Area Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • North Shore Grays Harbor - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Three Creeks - Private Conservation (IUCN Category V)
  • Chuckanut Island - Private Conservation Land (IUCN Category V)
  • Deadman Island - Private Conservation Land (IUCN Category V)
  • Humptulips River Delta - Preserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Port Susan Bay - Private Conservation Land (IUCN Category V)
  • Skookum Inlet Natural Area Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Washington Islands - Wilderness Area (IUCN Category Ib)
  • Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Smith and Minor Island Aquatic Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Protection Island Aquatic Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Nisqually Reach Aquatic Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Battle Point - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category V)
  • Brown - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category V)
  • Ekholm - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category V)
  • Harding - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category V)
  • Mattson - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category V)
  • Nisqually National Wildlife Refu - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Riviera - Environmental System (IUCN Category V)
  • Powel - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category V)
  • San Juan Islands - Wilderness Area (IUCN Category Ib)
  • Skagit-Snoqualmie - Wildlife Area Complex (IUCN Category V)
  • Mallard Cove - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category V)
  • Lower Dungeness - Environmental System (IUCN Category V)
  • Carkeek Park Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • City of Des Moines Park Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Colvos Passage Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Discovery Park Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Edmonds Underwater Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Emma Schmitz Memorial Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Fort Casey Underwater Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Fort Ward Underwater Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Golden Gardens Park Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Keystone Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Kopachuck Underwater Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Lincoln Park Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Octopus Hole Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Richey Viewpoint Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Saltar's Point Beach Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Saltwater Underwater Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • South 239th Street Park Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Titlow Beach Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Tolmie Underwater Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Waketickeh Creek Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Z's Reef Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Dungeness - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Grays Harbor - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • San Juan Islands - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Skookum Inlet - Natural Area Preserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Wollochet Bay Estuary - Estuary (IUCN Category V)
  • San Juan Islands - National Monument (IUCN Category V)
  • Pysht Estuary - Estuary (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Fidalgo Bay - Conservation Easement (IUCN Category Not Assigned)

Getting to Pacific Northwest - Nearest Airports

  • Victoria International Airport (YYJ), Victoria - 35 km away, approx 54 min travel time
  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver - 72 km away, approx 94 min travel time
  • Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Seattle - 185 km away, approx 217 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical water conditions, including temperature and visibility, for scuba diving in the Pacific Northwest?
Diving in the Pacific Northwest is characterized by cold water conditions, making proper thermal protection essential. The warmest water temperatures are typically found in August at 16.51°C, followed by July at 15.67°C, and September at 14.27°C. While specific visibility data is not provided, divers should always be prepared for cooler temperatures requiring appropriate equipment.
What unique or highlight marine life can divers expect to encounter in the Pacific Northwest?
The Pacific Northwest offers a rich cold-water ecosystem teeming with unique marine life. Divers can expect to encounter fascinating creatures such as the impressive giant Pacific octopus and the distinctive wolf eels. Exploring these waters provides an opportunity to witness the vibrant biodiversity of this region, which you can learn more about in our wildlife database.
Where are the best and most popular dive sites in the Pacific Northwest, suitable for various experience levels?
The Pacific Northwest boasts 168 dive sites catering to all experience levels. Beginners can explore sites like Am/Pm Beach (shore) or Charlotte Wreckeck (wreck), while intermediate divers have numerous options including Dyer Rocks (pinnacle) and Fort Flagler Pier (reef). For advanced divers, Deep Ridge (reef) offers a challenging and rewarding experience.
Is drysuit diving a necessity or strongly recommended for diving in the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest?
Given the consistently cold water temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, drysuit diving is strongly recommended for comfort and safety. With average peak temperatures only reaching 16.51°C in August, a drysuit provides essential thermal protection for extended dives. Ensure you have appropriate equipment for these conditions.
What are the seasonal variations for diving in the Pacific Northwest, particularly concerning visibility and marine life activity?
The primary seasonal variation for diving in the Pacific Northwest concerns water temperature. The warmest months are July, August, and September, with temperatures ranging from 14.27°C to 16.51°C, offering slightly more comfortable conditions. While specific data on seasonal visibility and marine life activity is not provided, these months generally offer the most favorable thermal experience for divers. For more information on planning your trip, visit our when-to-dive guide.
Are there abundant shore diving opportunities, or is boat access typically required for most dive sites in the Pacific Northwest?
The Pacific Northwest offers a mix of diving opportunities, including accessible shore dives. Sites like Am/Pm Beach (Beginner) and Imrie Island (Intermediate) are examples of shore-accessible locations. However, with 168 dive sites including numerous pinnacles, reefs, and wrecks, boat access is also common for exploring the full range of underwater environments.
What are the common challenges divers might face when exploring the underwater environment of the Pacific Northwest?
The primary challenge divers might face when exploring the underwater environment of the Pacific Northwest is the cold water. With peak temperatures only reaching 16.51°C in August, divers must be adequately prepared with proper thermal protection, such as a drysuit. Ensuring you have the right equipment is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience in these rich, cold-water ecosystems.
When is the best time of year to plan a dive trip to the Pacific Northwest for optimal conditions and marine life sightings?
For optimal water temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, the best time to plan your dive trip is during July, August, and September. These months offer the warmest conditions, with temperatures peaking at 16.51°C in August. While marine life sightings can be excellent year-round, these months provide the most comfortable diving experience from a thermal perspective. Consult our when-to-dive guide for more seasonal insights.