Virtue Rock

Best months: Sep–Jan

Protected Area

Lime Kiln Lighthouse Voluntary No-take

Why dive here

With 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, orcas and seals & sea lions - Virtue Rock offers some of Pacific Northwest's richest pinnacle 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

CharacterPinnacle dive

StandoutDramatic pinnacle topography

Virtue Rock. Now there's a dive that sticks with you. We love a good pinnacle, and this one, rising out of the Pacific Northwest gloom, definitely delivers. The real draw here, for us, is the sheer density of invertebrate life. You drop down, and it's like a soft, living carpet covering the rock, a vibrant green from the sea lettuce, dotted with green sea urchins clinging to every crevice. Keep an eye out for the big skates cruising by, almost blending into the low visibility, and the quick scurry of red rock crabs as you approach. For those who appreciate the smaller stuff, the shrimp are incredible. You'll spot Arctic Eualid and Yellowleg Pandalid shrimp tucked away, and the gray shrimp often blanket the sandy patches around the base. It’s a site that rewards a slow, deliberate dive, really looking into the nooks and crannies. We've found the best time to really enjoy Virtue Rock is on a slack tide, otherwise, you'll be working pretty hard against the current, and you'll miss half the action. It's a dive that suits those who appreciate the subtle beauty of a temperate water environment, where the sheer abundance of life creates its own kind of spectacle.