Arachne Reef - Pacific Northwest

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.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.684723, -123.293680
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-20m

Marine Protected Area: Kellett Bluff Voluntary No-take

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in Pacific Northwest

Nearest Dive Centres to Arachne Reef

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Arachne Reef

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