Wreck of the Comet - Pacific Northwest

The Comet wreck, sitting upright in Puget Sound, offers a moody, atmospheric dive that we just adore. It’s not about bright colours or schools of tropical fish here; it’s about the sheer scale of the old steamwheeler, draped in green and purple anemones, and the way the Pacific Northwest light filters down through the usually greenish water. We love dropping onto the bow, often finding wolf eels peeking from crevices near the mast. It's an easy wreck to navigate, largely intact, which means plenty of opportunities to peer into cargo holds or imagine the old paddlewheels. Look for lingcod camouflaged against the encrusted metal and the occasional giant Pacific octopus tucked into a dark corner. Our favourite part is exploring the stern, where the prop is often buzzing with rockfish. This site really suits divers who appreciate history and the unique beauty of temperate waters, especially those with good buoyancy control looking to explore interiors. We’d suggest a calm morning for the best visibility, as strong currents can stir things up.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
48.033688, -122.750630
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Marrowstone

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 Wreck of the Comet

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 Wreck of the Comet

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