Tozier Rock - Pacific Northwest

Tozier Rock is one of those places we always try to hit when we’re in the Pacific Northwest, especially when the conditions line up. It's a proper pinnacle dive, one of our favourites in the area. We’ve had dives here where the visibility drops to just a few metres, making the ascent feel like climbing through a kelp forest in a dream, and others where it opens up to a good 15 metres, letting you really appreciate the scale. We love the sheer density of invertebrate life here. It’s not just big stuff, though we’ve seen common seals cruise by and even heard distant orca clicks on a quiet dive. No, it’s the little things that grab us: slender crabs tucked into every crevice, giant octopus eyes peering out from under ledges, and the way the sea lettuce billows in the surge. You’ll find patches of spiral bryozoans forming intricate patterns, and the rock itself is carpeted in barnacles and common whelks. Keep an eye out for California spot prawns; they’re often hiding in plain sight. This isn't a drift dive, but the currents can definitely pick up, so check your tides. We’d suggest diving this on a slack tide if you can manage it; it makes exploring the nooks and crannies much more enjoyable. It’s a site for divers who appreciate the subtler beauty of a colder water ecosystem, not chasing big pelagics but reveling in the abundant, smaller wonders.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.618332, -123.513336
Type
pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Kellett Bluff 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 Tozier Rock

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 Tozier Rock

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