Lime Kiln Point State Park
San Juan Islands · United States
Lime Kiln Point on the west side of San Juan Island overlooks Haro Strait, one of the primary corridors used by the Southern Resident killer whale population. From the surface, orca are visible multiple times per week in summer. Below, the basalt walls plunge from the cobble beach to 30 m through kelp forest and into open rock draped with strawberry anemones and boot sponge. Giant Pacific octopus dens dot the wall. The site is exposed to Haro Strait swells and the current can reach 3 knots, so timing entry to the slack is essential.
Conditions
Depth
6 to 30 m
Open water and up
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
5 to 9 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
7 to 13°C
drysuit required
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Vis (m) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Copper Rockfish
Last confirmed Jun 29, 2026 · 82 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
China Crabs
Last confirmed Jul 3, 2026 · 847 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Sea Stars (Purple/Orange)
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 560 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Pacific Harbor Seal
Last confirmed Jul 3, 2026 · 691 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Giant Pacific Octopus
Last confirmed Apr 7, 2026 · 60 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Lingcod
Last confirmed May 31, 2026 · 64 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Southern Resident Killer Whale
Last confirmed Jul 6, 2026 · 272 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Kelp
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 1159 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Gear