North Cod Reef

Best months: Sep–Jan

Protected Area

Kellett Bluff Voluntary No-take

Why dive here

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

We’ll be honest, North Cod Reef isn’t going to blow your mind with technicolor coral. This is the Pacific Northwest, after all, and our diving is a different beast entirely – a subtle, moody, and deeply rewarding one. What we love about North Cod Reef is its sheer, understated density of life, particularly the smaller stuff that truly defines this ecosystem. Keep your eyes peeled for those tiny Four-Spined Squat Lobsters clinging to anemones, or the delicate Pacific Glass Shrimp flitting about. We’ve had some cracking dives here just watching the Spiny Dogfish cruise past, almost like they’re on patrol. The reef itself is a tapestry of blues and greens, often draped in kelp that sways with the surge. Visibility can be a mixed bag, as it often is up here, so we always suggest checking local conditions before heading out. Our favourite time to dive North Cod is on a slack tide, allowing you to really slow down and appreciate the intricate details. You'll find yourself absorbed in the hunt for macro subjects, or just enjoying the quiet ballet of schooling Pacific sardines. This site is ideal for divers who appreciate the nuance of temperate water diving, those willing to trade blinding colours for fascinating behaviour and truly unique species.