Porteau Cove Diving Area - Pacific Northwest

Porteau Cove is a staple for a reason. We’ve logged countless dives here, and it rarely disappoints, especially for those who appreciate the chill, green embrace of the Pacific Northwest. Forget the sunshine and palm trees, this is about exploring purpose-sunk vessels turned into vibrant ecosystems. Our favourite part has to be the trio of wrecks: the Granthall, the Nakaya, and the Shearwater. The Granthall is particularly fun, broken up into sections and easy to navigate even for less experienced wreck divers. You can fin through open compartments, spot schools of shiner perch darting between the beams, and poke around for a Dungeness crab hiding in the crevices. We’ve often found lazy common seals cruising past, sometimes even stopping to eye us curiously. Visibility can be a bit of a gamble, often ranging from 5 to 15 meters, but even on murkier days, the wrecks still have a wonderfully eerie presence. We always suggest hitting the water on an incoming tide for the best conditions and fewer particulates. Keep an eye out for the colourful sunflower stars draped over the railings and the subtle camouflaged forms of squat lobsters clinging to the metal. It’s a great site for divers who love a bit of history with their marine life, and it’s always fascinating to see how these artificial structures become homes.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
49.560272, -123.235176
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10-25m

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 Porteau Cove Diving Area

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 Porteau Cove Diving Area

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