Arachne Reef

Best months: Sep–Jan

Protected Area

Kellett Bluff Voluntary No-take

Why dive here

With 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, orcas and seals & sea lions - Arachne Reef offers some of Pacific Northwest's richest reef diving. Water ranges 7-17°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeSep–Jan

WetsuitA drysuit

Marine lifeHumpback Whales, Orcas and Seals & Sea Lions · 35+ species recorded

Water7-17°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterReef dive · max 5-20m

Arachne Reef. We’ve had some truly fantastic dives here, and we'd argue it’s one of the most underrated spots in the PNW. Forget the big, famous wrecks for a minute; this reef offers a different kind of magic. Dropping down, you’re often greeted by dense schools of pacific sardines, flashing silver as they swirl past. It’s not uncommon to see a spiny dogfish cruising through them, sleek and purposeful. The visibility can swing a bit, but on a good day, when the light filters down through the kelp, the place just glows. Our favourite thing about Arachne has to be the sheer variety of critters tucked into every crevice. We’ve spent entire dives just poking around, spotting slender blade shrimp camouflaged against the rocks, and those oddly charming sweet potato sea cucumbers. Keep an eye out for the four-spined squat lobsters; they’re little characters. You’ll also find plenty of dungeness crab scuttling about. It’s a dive that rewards slow, deliberate exploration. This site is perfect for divers who appreciate the subtle beauty of temperate waters and don't need huge pelagics to feel fulfilled. It’s a fantastic spot for macro photographers, or anyone who enjoys patiently observing behaviour rather than just ticking off big species.