Rubly Island - Pacific Northwest

Rubly Island, for us, is a dive that always feels like coming home. It’s got that classic Pacific Northwest vibe without being too moody. We’ve had dives there where the visibility was a glorious 15 metres, sun filtering down through the kelp, making everything glow a soft emerald. But even on a darker day, it holds a quiet charm. Drop in and you’re immediately enveloped by the swaying kelp forest. Keep an eye out for the Plainfin Midshipman, they’re quirky little bottom dwellers. Our favourite find, though, is always the giant octopus tucked into a crevice – look for the tell-tale pile of crab shells outside their den. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the impressive Red Salmon runs depending on the season, a truly spectacular sight. It’s not a drift dive, which we appreciate, giving you time to really poke around. We'd suggest going on a slack tide, gives you more time to hunt for those Humpy Shrimp and Green Sea Urchins without fighting a current. It’s a great spot for newer cold-water divers to get comfortable, but offers enough quiet corners to keep experienced eyes busy too.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.665300, -123.311470
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 Rubly 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 Rubly 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