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Schooner Reef

Schooner Reef is one of those spots that really shines in the Pacific Northwest, and honestly, we think it’s often overlooked. Dropping down, you hit a dynamic reef structure, not exactly a coral reef like the tropics, but a rough, rocky landscape absolutely carpeted in anemones and sponges. It’s cold water diving at its finest, a true sensory experience as the light filters through the green water. We’ve had some cracking dives here, navigating through kelp forests that sway with the surge, always keeping an eye out for the resident Spiny Dogfish patrolling the deeper sections. Look closely in the cracks and you'll spot Roughpatch and Sidestriped Shrimp darting about, and if you’re patient, a Grooved Mussel Crab might just peek out. Our favourite is finding the Plainfin Midshipman, hunkered down, practically glowing. The big draw here is the chance for larger pelagics too; we've seen schools of Pacific herring so dense they create a shimmering wall, and on rare occasions, a fleeting glimpse of an Orca passing through the deeper channels. It’s a site that rewards slow, deliberate diving, perfect for macro enthusiasts and photographers who don’t mind a bit of a current. Best dived on a slack tide, otherwise, you'll be working for it, but even then, the sheer volume of life makes it worthwhile.