Lewis 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 - Lewis 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

Lewis Reef, tucked away in the often-overlooked cold waters of the Pacific Northwest, is a fantastic reminder that you don't need tropical sunshine for a truly captivating dive. Forget the typical coral for a moment. Here, it’s all about the dramatic topography, a landscape of jagged rock formations covered in a tapestry of anemones and sponges. We’ve had some cracking dives here, especially when a gentle current sweeps through, bringing in the bigger pelagics. Our favourite moments are always the encounters with spiny dogfish cruising past, their sleek bodies ghosting through the kelp. And keep an eye out for the common minke whales; we've spotted them on the surface, a truly special bonus to the dive itself. The reef offers a surprising amount of macro life if you take your time, with red rock crabs hunkering down in crevices and green sea urchins clinging to the rock face. For the observant diver, the smaller stuff, like the quirky daubed shanny peeking from under a frond of sea lettuce, is pure gold. It’s a site that rewards patience and a good dive light, perfect for divers who appreciate the subtle beauty of a temperate reef and aren't afraid of a bit of chill.