Surprise Reef
Why dive here
With 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, orcas and seals & sea lions - Surprise Reef offers some of Pacific Northwest's richest reef diving. Water ranges 7-17°C, warmest July, August, September.
Surprise Reef, tucked away in the Pacific Northwest, offers a sturdy, no-frills dive. You won't find tropical colours here, but what you will encounter is a robust ecosystem thriving in cooler waters. We’ve had good luck spotting Dungeness crabs scuttling amongst the rocks, and it's a reliable spot for various salmon species during their runs. Look for the distinctive shapes of Big Skates settled on the bottom. Visibility can be a bit of a mixed bag, so picking a calm day with minimal surge makes all the difference for enjoying the resident spiny dogfish and the occasional harbour porpoise sighting from the boat. It’s a solid pick for divers who appreciate the unique, rugged beauty of cold-water diving and want to see what the local waters truly hold.
Safety Notes
Cold water this month (avg 11°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Reviews for Surprise Reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Surprise Reef
Surprise Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Surprise Reef, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: 9449880 - Friday Harbor, WA (27km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
11°C
53°F · Range: 9.6–11.4°C
Air Temperature
11°C
51°F
Current Speed
3.16 cm/s
Direction: E (108.4°)
Salinity
23.61 PSU
Wind Speed
1.8 m/s
3.5 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1018.3 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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