Ogden Point (The Breakwater) - Pacific Northwest

Ogden Point, affectionately known as The Breakwater, is one of those spots we find ourselves coming back to again and again. It's an urban dive, right in the middle of things, but once you descend, it's a whole different world. The structure itself, a long concrete breakwater, provides endless nooks and crannies for creatures to hide in, especially on the lee side when the currents pick up. We love the sheer density of life here. You'll glide past fields of colorful star ascidians clinging to the concrete, their bright oranges and purples a surprising splash against the grey. Keep an eye out for the giant Pacific octopus; they're resident here, often tucked into crevices, sometimes even stretching an arm out to investigate a passing fin. Our favourite moments are often spent watching the delicate four-spined squat lobsters scuttling around, or spotting a grumpy-looking blackbelly eelpout peeking from a pipe. Visibility can be a mixed bag, typical for the Pacific Northwest. We've had days of 15 metres and days where it's a milky 5, but even on the murkier dives, the close-up encounters make it worthwhile. We'd suggest going at slack tide for the easiest dive, though a gentle current can sometimes bring in more pelagic action, like schools of shiner perch or even a cruising spiny dogfish. It's a great spot for newer cold-water divers to get comfortable with the environment, but seasoned eyes will always find something new here.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.414870, -123.384120
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Lime Kiln Lighthouse 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 Ogden Point (The Breakwater)

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 Ogden Point (The Breakwater)

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