Ocean Quest Dive Centre - Pacific Northwest
The team at Ocean Quest Dive Centre truly understands diving in the Pacific Northwest. We've always been impressed by their no-nonsense, practical approach to cold water diving, which is exactly what you need in these parts. They’re fantastic for anyone serious about getting comfortable in a drysuit, right from your initial Open Water, or for those wanting to seriously expand their tech skills. If you're looking to dive deep into local wrecks or get into advanced trimix, these are your people. What we love most is how they blend serious training with a genuinely welcoming vibe. Their Learn to Dive Youth Camp is a brilliant idea, fostering good habits from an early age, and their Foundations of Diving Specialty is a game-changer for anyone wanting to improve their buoyancy and trim. We'd suggest asking about their local shore dives; they know all the best spots for nudibranchs and giant pacific octopuses, especially around sunset when the light gets that magical green hue. They’ll advise on the specific tides and current conditions to make the most of it, too. And yes, they’ll rent you proper gear that’ll keep you warm, even when the surface chop is making things a bit chilly.
- Location
- Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
- Coordinates
- 49.254448, -123.020805
- Website
- https://diveoceanquest.com
- Certification Agencies
- PADI, TDI
- Courses
- Learn To Dive, Learn In Two Weekends, Finish in the Tropics/Referral, Private Training, Learn to Dive Youth Camp, Refresher Programs, PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Drysuit Specialty, PADI Rescue Diver, Foundations of Diving Specialty, PADI Divemaster, PADI Instructor Development, PADI Specialty Instructor, PADI Tec 40, TDI Deco Procedures/Helitrox, PADI Tec 50, Wreck Penetration Specialty
- Equipment Rental
- yes
Dive Sites Near Ocean Quest Dive Centre
Ocean Quest Dive Centre provides access to 15 dive sites in Pacific Northwest.
- 100 Foot Rock
- Alki Beach Park
- Alki beach Seattle ferry north
- Am/Pm Beach - 13m (shore)
- Ansell Point Dive Site - 5-20m (shore)
- Arachne Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Arachne Reef (reef)
- Arbutus Island - 10-30m (shore)
- Arbutus Point - 23m
- Atkins Reef (reef)
- Atrevida Reef (reef)
- Barnard Castle - 15-35m (pinnacle)
- Bell Island
- Blake Island Reef (reef)
- Blind Reef (reef)
Other Dive Centres in Pacific Northwest
- Adventure Scuba
- Aqua Dive And Water Sports
- Aquatic Sports - SSI
- Blueback Tyee Cove Dive site
- Central Oregon Diving - PADI
- Cottam Point Dive site
- Discount Divers
- Dive and Sea Sports - PADI, Emergency First Response
- Diving Sports Canada - PADI, TDI, PFI, SDI
- Edmonds Underwater Sports
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.
Notable Marine Life
- Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) - Reef Fish
- coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) - Reef Fish
- Spiny Dogfish (Squalus suckleyi) - Sharks & Rays
- Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) - Reef Fish
- Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Common shore crab (Carcinus maenas) - Crabs & Lobsters
- red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) - Reef Fish
- California Spot Prawn (Pandalus platyceros) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Slender Crab (Metacarcinus gracilis) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) - Reef Fish
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