HMCS Mackenzie - Pacific Northwest

The HMCS Mackenzie is one of our favourites in the Pacific Northwest, especially when the conditions line up. Dropping down, you’re immediately enveloped by the sheer scale of the ship. We love exploring the bridge area, where enormous lingcod often lurk in the shadows, unbothered by divers. The deck guns are still intact, draped in plumose anemones, their white tentacles waving gently in the surge. Look closely for giant pacific octopuses tucked into crevices in the superstructure; they’re masters of camouflage here. Penetration is possible for trained wreck divers, with plenty of swim-throughs to explore the interior spaces. The engine room is particularly atmospheric, a maze of pipes and gauges now serving as apartment blocks for rockfish. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the PNW, so we always aim for slack tide on an incoming current to catch it at its best. It’s a site that changes with every dive, always revealing a new corner or a different resident.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.668120, -123.287450
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3.1m

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 HMCS Mackenzie

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 HMCS Mackenzie

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