Johnstone Reef

Best months: Sep–Jan

Protected Area

Lime Kiln Lighthouse Voluntary No-take

Why dive here

With 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, orcas and seals & sea lions - Johnstone 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

Johnstone Reef, now this is a Pacific Northwest site we genuinely love. Forget the usual hype about tropical reefs; this place has a moody, dramatic beauty all its own. We’ve had some cracking dives here, even on overcast days when the light filtering through the kelp felt almost spiritual. Keep your eyes peeled for those Slender Crabs, they’re masters of camouflage, tucked into crevices you might otherwise swim right past. We’d suggest going early in the morning; the water often has a calmer, more settled feel before boat traffic picks up, and you might catch a Marbled Murrelet diving for breakfast. The real draw here is the sheer number of Dungeness Crabs. They’re everywhere, scuttling across the rocky substrate, sometimes piled on top of each other. You'll see massive Red Sea Urchins too, their spines a surprisingly vibrant purple against the green and brown of the reef. This site is brilliant for divers who appreciate the subtle, resilient beauty of temperate waters, and don't mind a bit of chill for some truly unique encounters.