Reay Island - Pacific Northwest

Reay Island is one of those spots that really sticks with you. We love dropping in on an incoming tide when the visibility is at its best. It’s a wall dive, but not in the dramatic, plummeting sense you might expect from tropical sites. Here, the wall is more of a steep slope, draped in a tapestry of anemones and sponges that glow under a dive light. You’ll spend most of your time with your nose practically pressed against the rock, hunting for the smaller stuff. Our favourite find here has to be the Four-Spined Squat Lobsters, often tucked into tiny crevices, waving their disproportionately long antennae. Keep an eye out for the Blackbelly Eelpouts too, they’re surprisingly elegant as they weave through the fronds. The Dungeness Crabs are everywhere, big brutes scuttling across the seabed. For bird enthusiasts, the Double-crested Cormorants and Pigeon Guillemots are nearly always overhead on the surface, making their own dives. It’s a macro photographer’s dream, really, and perfect for anyone who enjoys a slow, deliberate dive where patience is rewarded. Just remember your drysuit; it’s the Pacific Northwest, after all.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.676666, -123.328330
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
10-30m

Marine Protected Area: Kellett Bluff 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 Reay Island

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 Reay Island

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