Diving in British Columbia is some of the finest in the world. Read the Canada guide
Ogden Breakwater is a marine preserve with features created just for divers. A very easy entry marks the start of a diving 'scavenger hunt' for the sunken plaques that line the break water. Each plaque contains information about the area and marine life you'll encounter. From the inner harbor of Victoria, drive South 1.5km to the end of Government Road, and turn right on Dallas for 1km.
Mermaid Cove is a wonderful destination with all the campground facilities you'd expect. Named for a mermaid statue sitting on the bottom at about 15 meters, you'll find a wide variety of sea life lurking nearby. You will most likely see an octopus or two during your dive! From the ferry terminal at Saltery Bay, the entrance is less than 1km to the North on 101.
We have some of the best fresh water wreck diving in the world and we want to share that with everyone! Michael and Debra of Diversparadise.net
For something completely different, try the Tuwanek Beach dive. You'll be swimming in the very protected Sechelt Inlet, just North of the town of Sechelt. It will be a shallow dive, but worth it for the marine life you may not see elsewhere. You may notice that you can hear a pin drop in this neighborhood. Let's keep it that way! In the town of Sechelt, head North on Wharf Ave or Xenichen. Turn right on East Porpoise Road, which becomes Sechelt Inlet Road. Travel for 9.7km until you reach the parking below.
Lions Bay offers an easy access dive for those interested in seeking out smaller creatures to observe. Shallow and rocky, you'll have plenty of time to explore. A dive flag is very important in this area. Give the marina a call (604-921-7510) before you decide to show up. Diving is restricted to certain times of the year. Heading North from Horseshoe Bay, after about 11km, take the second exit into Lions Bay. Head West toward the water, until you see the tracks below.
Fathom Five offers some of the best freshwater diving opportunities in the world. Clear, clean water, submerged geological formations (cliffs, caves, overhangs) and more than 20 historical shipwrecks offer a variety of underwater experiences. Everyone, from the novice snorkeler to the most advanced diving enthusiast, can find lots to explore and enjoy within the park. From Tara Harpur at the park: We do have some excellent shore diving in the area of Fathom Five National Marine Park. The only sites that are shore accessible are sites 3, 4, 5 and 23 (The Lighthouse, The Anchor, The Tugs and the Little Cove). The other sites are not shore accessible due to various issues - private property, etc. If you have any questions please let us know! Fathom Five National Marine, Park P.O. Box 189 ,Tobermory, Ontario, Canada ,N0H 2R0, Administration: Phone: (519) 596-2233 Fax: (519) 596-2298, Diver Registration: Phone: (519) 596-2503 Fax: (519) 596-2552
This is an excellent shore dive located in the Scuba Diving capital of Canada. Access is relatively easy for both entry and exit. This site boasts unique large rock formations and depths ranging from 30 feet to 90+ for the experienced diver. Visibility can be pretty good at 30 to 50 feet but can vary due to this location being very exposed to ferry currents and weather. Temperatures can range from 40+ in May/June to 60-70 in August. All in all, an A+ dive spot. Very close to all amenities with 2 reputable dive shops located in Tobermory. Tobermory, Ontario, Canada
McNeill Point is an exciting spot to explore, but only during ideal conditions. The tidal currents through here could ruin your whole day if you're not careful. Check with a local dive shop about seasonal and hourly conditions at this site! Located 0.4km West of the Victoria Golf Course on Beach Road.
Are you looking for a good beginning dive? How about an advanced dive? Coopers Green has it all in the protection of Halfmoon Bay! Simple entry into the shallows allows easy exploration of the small island just meters off shore. Beyond that, the depth drops off rapidly. About 7km North of Schelt on 101 make a left on Redrooffs Road. Wind your way about 8.5km to the entrance below.
Cars, boats and planes can be explored at various depths such as 111, 46, and 26 feet. Located just north of Ottawa and 4 km south of Wakefield, Quebec. The quarry is better known as the jump point for Great Canadian Bungee. The quarry has a depth greater than 30m (confirmed to 123 feet) and probably reaches a depth of about 40m. The shallow end is 20-25 feet deep. Like most quarries it has a road spiralling down to the deepest part (with a nice drop off in the shallow end). Along the submerged road are numerous attractions, a sunken twin engine plane, a tug boat, small car, picnic table and some jagged pipes sticking straight up at about 20m along the back side wall. All the attractions are marked with buoys. The water is spring feed and cool all the time necessitating a wetsuit if you want to stay in the water for a while. I found it to be a great training area. There is no supervision/life guard. The quarry site is on private land. There is a $10.00 fee to help maintain the above-water site in pristine condition. Washrooms Cold drink machine Wood stove BBQ 30 picnic tables From Ottawa: Morrison's Quarry is located off highway 105 in Wakefield, Quebec. Take Highway 5 north you will be heading towards Maniwaki, continue on highway 5 till the road ends at a stop sign, here you will turn right then turn left at traffic lights. Now you are on highway 105 north stay on this road for about 8 minutes, you will pass the IGA grocery store on your right about 1 minute later you will see a sign on your right " Morrison's Quarry" turn in here , follow road past the play area and notice parking light on right now you're here. Directions (30 minutes from Ottawa)
An excellent park for the kids, with picnic and playground facilities. For you divers, expect a rocky reef just off shore with all the small marine creatures you'd expect! From South of Vancouver's Second Narrows Bridge, head East on 7A for about 14km, parallel the Burrard Inlet. Wrap around Port Moody by taking a left on Ioco Road. In 4.5km, take a right on 1st Ave, and in 0.7km turn left on Bedwell Bay Road for another 5km. You'll see the park on your left.
Emmonds Beach offers another lazy dive for casually exploring the Powell River under-seascape. There are no facilities here, so take your water and lunch, and an extra tank! Drive 7km South of Lund, or 14km North of the Powell River bridge, then turn Southwest on Emmonds Road. The preceding roads you'll encounter from Lund are Malaspina, Dinner Rock, Old Mine, then Emmonds. The preceding roads you'll encounter from Powell River are Wilde, Southview, Gifford, Atrevida, Craig, then Emmonds.
Whytecliff Park is the premier dive spot for divers of all capabilities. You can find dive classes exploring the inner cove, and advanced divers venturing further out toward the Queen Charlotte Channel. All the classic sea life of this area can be found within an afternoon of touring the slopes and walls. For the non-divers, food and restrooms are found close the parking area. The original name was White Cliff City. In 1914, Colonel Albert Whyte pressed for the spelling change from White Cliff City to Whytecliff. The park is currently home to more than 200 marine animal species and is the first Marine Protected Area in Canada. Sea lions can be seen sunbathing on the beach during summer. Whytecliff park is located near West Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay Neighbourhood. To get there, take Marine Drive west from the Lions Gate Bridge past light house park to Horseshoe Bay and then continue on to 7100 Block Marine Drive. 2014 Note from Chanel MacKay: I am the current operator of the concession at Whytecliff Park and am in the process of reducing my hours of operation for the fall and winter 2014. I thought I would reach out to you to see if there would be any interest in my staying open for coffees, soups, and sandwiches over the park's off season. I know from speaking to divers this summer that the fall and winter are generally better for diving at Whytecliff. Would a hot drink and snack be appreciated by your divers or do they prefer to take off once out of the water and head somewhere warm to shower and dry off properly? Any feedback you could offer would be greatly appreciated as this is my first year in operation and I would like to make sure I'm meeting the needs of park guests. Please email me at foxfoodsvancouver *at* gmail*dot*com. Thank you!! From the Copper Cove dive site turn right onto Marine Drive. In a short distance you'll see the entrance to Whyte Cliff Park.
Porteau Cove should be renamed Diver's Paradise! The park system went all out to make this an appealing marine park for all levels of divers. Easy entry, marine life, marked wrecks, and a stair-side shower for your return make this site a two-tanker! Heading North from Horseshoe Bay, after about 23km, you'll see the park on your left.
Ten Mile Point can offer some great sights for the advanced diver. A constant current of varying strength keeps this area alive with sea life. You can stay in the shallows to explore the shore, or quickly drop down to 30 meters to investigate the nearby wall. Our best advice is to get a map of Victoria once you arrive, and locate the general area of the point in the Cadboro Bay district. Find Tudor Ave which runs the length of the small peninsula, and head Southeast. Tudor will eventually bend to the left; in 300m, take a right on Baynes Road, then a left on White Rock. You'll see the intersection below. Ten Mile Point is also known as Whiterock Street.
Whiskey Cove Lane is one of those spots used by the locals for a relaxing dive of exploration. The rocky walls of the cove and the small island make perfect hiding places for sea life. From South of Vancouver's Second Narrows Bridge, head East on 7A for about 14km, parallel the Burrard Inlet. Wrap around Port Moody by taking a left on Ioco Road. In 4.5km, take a right on 1st Ave, and in 0.7km turn left on Bedwell Bay Road for another 5km. Then after making a right on Belcarra Bay Road, watch for the parking area below in another 0.7km.
The Gertrude was a turn of the century steam paddle wheeler, and was purposefully scuttled in Emerald bay in 1918, right behind the famous Prince of Wales hotel. She lies with her stern facing the shore, and her bow in the middle of the bay. The stern is in 7-10m (20'-30') of water and the bow is at ~18m (60'). The exact location of the wreck changes year-to-year, as the winter ice moves the wreck. However, finding the ship is easy. Enter the water beside the water tap and swim directly away from shore until you reach the drop off. Turn right and follow the drop off until you can see the wreck. The stern is shallowest, but unfortunately the wheel is no longer present. As you move towards the bow you'll encounter various machinery, including pistons, drive shafts, and a big boiler. The bow is at about 50', and buried in the silt. Visibility at the stern is usually good (7-10m/20/30'), but this drops off quickly towards the bow. At the bow vis is usually low (often less then 60cm/2'). Much of the wreck has disintegrated - in many places no planking is left. Much of this damage has been caused by SCUBA divers. Please try to not touch the wreck. Around the wreck are some other artifacts, including a small row boat. Little life is present, aside from some fish which live beneath the wreck. Emerald bay does allow boats, so you must carry a flag. Note also that this lake is in the mountains and as such an altitude table, or altitude compatible computer, is required. The water can be extremely cold, particularly in early spring and late fall. Please protect this wreck, as it is one of the only ones in the province. The following was found by Chris Morrison in the Alberta History Magazine, Vol. 32, No. 2. (You'll note the boat's floating life was only 11 years, but she's a fine example of the value of recycling!! -- Chris) "The Gertrude was built in 1907 on Maskinonge Lake in Waterton to serve Henry Hanson's sawmill which was located there. She was 100 feet, 6 inches long with a deck length of 85 feet and a width of 18 feet and drew only eight inches of water which allowed her to navigate the shallow river sections between the lakes during high water periods. When a flood damaged Hanson's sawmill in June, 1908 she languished and saw little service. In 1915 the Gertrude became an excursion vessel. In 1916 she was moored on the southeast shore of what is now Emerald Bay and turned into a tea room and restaurant. In 1918 park officials ordered the boat either be removed or scuttled. The owners chose the latter and she has been resting at the bottom of the bay ever since. For many years, the bay was known as Steamboat Bay in her honor." This dive is located in the town of Waterton, in Waterton National Park. This park is located in the south-west corner of Alberta, right across the boarder from Glacier National Park in the USA. To get to the dive site, go to the ranger's station in the town of Waterton (this is near the entrance to the town). Immediately across the road from the station is the entrance to Emerald Bay picnic area. Park in the picnic area. That's it. WARNING! Motor-boats (and others) are allowed in Emerald Bay as long as they stay below the 10 km/hr speed limit. Divers must have a diving buoy at their dive location, per: Parks Canada, C. Locke Marshall, Manager Communications and Visitor Services, Waterton Lakes National Park, Box 200, Waterton Park, Alberta T0K 2M0 (403) 859-5121 fax 859-5152
A more user-friendly, easy-access park, you'll find Bonnie Bay a quiet dive with wonderful scenery. There are no facilities here, just a nice, grassy trail and park. Drive South on Marine Drive 1.4km from Horseshoe Bay. Turn right, after the Glen Eagles Golf Course, onto Glen Eagles Drive. Stay on the upper road and wind your way 0.6km to the end of the Drive.
Spring Bay is a very easy dive for beginners, but can become quite difficult if you venture too far out. Although mostly protected from the current that plagues Ten Mile Point, the closer you get to Ten Mile, the more you will feel the current. So, stay in the general area of Spring Bay, and swim into any current you encounter. Our best advice is to get a map of Victoria once you arrive, and locate the general area of the point in the Cadboro Bay district. Find Tudor Ave which runs the length of the small peninsula, and head Southeast. Tudor will eventually bend to the left; continue to the parking lot at the end of the road.
For another remote neighborhood dive, Martin Cove offers plenty to explore. The beach entry makes this dive suitable for all experience levels In the Pender Harbor area, 14.8km North of Halfmoon Bay on 101, turn left on Frances Peninsula Road. Be prepared for a wonderfully winding road!
Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in Canada are Ogden Breakwater (4.8 from 17 reviews), Mermaid Cove (4.9 from 9 reviews) and St. Lawrence River (4.9 from 7 reviews).
The top-rated beginner sites are McNeill Point (5.0 from 3 reviews), Coopers Green (4.7 from 13 reviews) and Morrison Quarry (4.8 from 5 reviews).
Ogden Breakwater, Mermaid Cove, St. Lawrence River and Tuwanek Beach are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.
Lake Minnewanka (4.0 from 2 reviews), reached by boat, with a maximum depth of 49.9 ft.
Zentacle lists 86 dive shops in Canada. The top-rated are Diving Sports Canada Inc (5.0 from 133 reviews) and Toronto Scuba Centre (4.9 from 454 reviews).
