Spring Bay - Pacific Northwest

Spring Bay. Ah, Spring Bay. If you’re looking for a quiet, introspective dive that still delivers, this is it. We often head here when the more famous spots are choked with boats. Drop in and you’re immediately enveloped by the gloom, which sounds ominous but actually lends a real sense of adventure. The real stars here are the shrimp, not the flashy nudibranchs or big fish. You’ll find Alaska shrimp, sidestriped shrimp, and ocean shrimp tucked into every crevice, plus the spindly four-spined squat lobsters clinging to the holdfasts. Keep an eye out for the pale moonsnails, they’re surprisingly elegant. The eelgrass beds here are some of the healthiest we’ve seen, swaying gently and providing perfect cover. It's a site that rewards slow, deliberate diving, perfect for macro photographers or anyone who just wants to get lost in the details.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.455883, -123.268760
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Lime Kiln Lighthouse 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 Spring Bay

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 Spring Bay

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