Senanus Island

Best months: Sep–Jan

Protected Area

Kellett Bluff Voluntary No-take

Why dive here

With 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, orcas and seals & sea lions - Senanus Island offers some of Pacific Northwest's richest reef diving. Water ranges 7-17°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeSep–Jan

WetsuitA drysuit

Marine lifeHumpback Whales, Orcas and Seals & Sea Lions · 35+ species recorded

Water7-17°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterReef dive · max 10-30m

Senanus Island is one of those spots in the Pacific Northwest that consistently delivers, even when the mainland sites are a bit surly. We love it because you’re almost guaranteed to see something interesting, even if it’s just the sheer density of life clinging to the walls. Drop in, and you’re immediately enveloped in a kaleidoscope of colour from the star ascidians – patches of bright orange and purple, almost glowing against the often-dark rock. Keep your eyes peeled for those prickly sculpins, masters of camouflage, and the slender crabs scuttling amongst the anemones. We’ve had some fantastic encounters with schools of coho salmon here, especially when they’re moving through the channels, a flash of silver against the green water. The real treat for us, though, is poking around the cracks and crevices for California spot prawns and the less common four-spined squat lobsters. Our favourite time to dive here is on a slack tide, just after the morning rush, when the visibility tends to be at its best and the currents are a bit more forgiving. If you’re into macro life and don’t mind a bit of a chill, Senanus is a solid bet for a memorable dive.