Race Rocks - West and Central - Pacific Northwest

Race Rocks, particularly the West and Central sections, feels like diving in an aquarium that's decided to crank everything up to eleven. We love it, but you need to know what you’re getting into. The currents here are no joke, often ripping through, which means advanced skills are a definite plus. Drop in and you're immediately hit with a sensory overload – the sheer density of life is astounding. Giant octopuses, sometimes the size of a small car tire, peek from crevices. Dungeness crabs scuttle across the rocks. Keep an eye out for the big skates gliding across the bottom, their flat bodies almost disappearing against the substrate. You'll often hear the barks of common seals before you even see them, and if you’re lucky, a gray whale might cruise by on its migration, a truly humbling sight. Our favourite part has to be the surprising encounters with shortscale eualids and pacific glass shrimp, tiny jewels in a world of giants. This site is for divers who thrive on strong drift dives and don't mind a bit of a workout for the chance to see some truly spectacular Pacific Northwest marine life.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.300680, -123.539120
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
10-30m

Marine Protected Area: Lower Dungeness

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 Race Rocks - West and Central

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 Race Rocks - West and Central

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