Halftide Reef - Pacific Northwest

Pickles Reef isn’t the deepest spot, but that’s precisely why we love it. The coral heads here, especially the large ellipticals, are absolutely gorgeous, pushing up from the sand in intricate formations. We’ve spent hours just hovering, watching broom-tail filefish pick their way through the crevices and bluestriped grunts eyeball us from under ledges. It’s perfect for a relaxed dive, maybe a long bottom time with a camera, or for newer divers getting comfortable with reef navigation. Our favourite part is the light – the relatively shallow depth means the colours really pop, even on a cloudy day. Look closely for butterbuns tucked away, and keep an eye out in the sandy patches for diamond lizardfish. We'd suggest going on a weekday if you can, as it sees its fair share of boat traffic on the weekends. The currents are generally mild, making it a genuinely pleasant drift or a leisurely out-and-back.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
49.830730, -127.083320
Type
reef

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 Halftide 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 Halftide 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