Mouat 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 - Mouat 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

Mouat Reef is exactly what we picture when someone mentions Pacific Northwest diving, only better. You drop onto a wall that feels impossibly vibrant, even on a cloudy day, coated in a thick, colourful carpet of anemones and sponges. We love the way the light filters through the kelp forest above, creating these ethereal shafts that illuminate the rock walls, especially if you catch it on a sunny afternoon. Keep an eye out for the big skates cruising along the deeper ledges – they really are magnificent. This is a cold-water dive, so good drysuit skills are a must, but the rewards are huge. Expect to spend your dive here marvelling at the sheer density of life. We often find ourselves just hanging in one spot, watching tiny shrimp pick their way across the anemone tentacles, or a curious pale moonsnail slowly inching along. It’s perfect for divers who appreciate the subtle beauty of temperate reefs and aren’t afraid of a bit of chill for truly rewarding encounters.