San Juan Islands · United States · Pinnacle
Breakfast Rock
A rounded pinnacle whose lee side can often be dived when current runs
Area photo: Dicklyon · CC BY-SA 4.0
A big rounded pinnacle not far from Friday Harbor that rises abruptly from a seemingly featureless bottom at about 27 m (90 ft). It is less current sensitive than the nearby big-name sites, and the lee side can often be dived when current runs.
Where it is and how deep
48.5018° N, 122.9976° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Breakfast Rock is a boat-only site and a convenient charter stop not far from Friday Harbor. The pinnacle rises abruptly from a seemingly featureless bottom at about 27 m (90 ft). Anchoring here could be tough, so the dive is best done from a live boat: the currents that rip through San Juan Channel can make it impossible to get back to an anchored boat.
The rock is less current sensitive than the nearby big-name sites, and when the current runs the dive can often stay on the lee side. Candystripe shrimp are commonly seen on the rock, and nudibranchs have also been reported. Kelp on top of the pinnacle can be a hazard, so the ascent is made clear of it.
Marine life and season
- Nudibranchs
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows San Juan Islands: Dived year-round; current-sensitive sites are timed to slack water on the tide table.
Know before you go
- Currents rip through San Juan Channel and anchoring could be tough; dive from a live boat, because getting back to an anchored boat may be impossible.
- Kelp on top of the pinnacle can be a hazard; keep clear of it on the ascent and safety stop.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Breakfast Rock?+
The pinnacle rises from a seemingly featureless bottom at about 27 m (90 ft), so the dive runs from the kelp on top down to that depth.
Sources
- Breakfast Rock dive site — PNW Diving
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