Telegraph Cove - Pacific Northwest

Stepping off the dock at Telegraph Cove, you’re straight into that classic Pacific Northwest cool. It’s not about blazing sun and technicolor reefs here; it’s about a quieter, deeper beauty. We love the immediate immersion. The water, often a rich emerald hue, drops away pretty quickly, giving you walls studded with invertebrates. Keep an eye out for those Star ascidians, they pop with surprising colour against the darker rock. Visibility can swing with the tides, but when it’s good, you’ll see the delicate Slender Blade Shrimps tucked into crevices and the occasional Slender Sole camouflaged against the seafloor. It's an easy drift, often, making it a relaxed dive for anyone comfortable in cooler water. Our favourite moments are often the subtle ones: spotting a curious Snake Prickleback peering from a hole or watching a Spiny Dogfish ghost past in the deeper sections. This place is less about big pelagics and more about the intricate details. It’s a photographer's dream for macro life, and a great site for divers who appreciate the often-overlooked beauty of temperate waters.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.463860, -123.270270
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-20m

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 Telegraph Cove

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 Telegraph Cove

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