Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in British Columbia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It looked mighty nice, however you may now find it impossible to dive there. Apparently the neighborhood association decided to 'privatize' the beach, which effectively ended all diving there, unless you can kayak in from elsewhere. We present the site, nonetheless, in the hopes that it will one day reopen to us Marine Explorers. You must go to the marina at Lions Bay and get a parking permit then return back to Kelvin Grove. Heading North from Horseshoe Bay, after about 10km, take the first exit into Lions Bay. Wind your way South, toward the water. You'll dead end at the park.

For a very quiet dive through some rock and kelp-laden waters, you'll find this area a joy! You are in the midst of a tightly packed neighborhood, so be courteous and silent. Be very careful of the current! Located just Southwest of Victoria Golf Course, take the first road to your left off Beach Drive: Radcliffe/Hood Lane.

Enter the water immediately in front of the parking site, and follow a bearing of 0 degrees (i.e. due north). You should hit the King Koho at about 20m/70' in depth. Local divers have run a line out to the boat - so if you come across a week-encrusted line you can follow it to the wreck. The King Koho is a 10m/30' sail boat that sunk in the late 90's. There are a lot of fish on the wreck, some good sized anenomies, and some octopi make their homes under the wreck. The only hazard here is the fishermen - they seem to think that the divers have hidden all the fish. Apparently 'over fishing' isn't in their vocabulary. Drive towards the ferry terminal in the town of Comox. Immediately before entering the ferry grounds there will be a road going off to the right, turn onto this road. Follow this road for 2-3 blocks until you hit singing sands road. Turn left onto singing sands road and follow it to the end. There is a bit of space to park at the end of the road. This is a busy site, so don't hog space.

For a relatively easy entry and dive, try Ross Charles Park. There are several rocky outcroppings to explore, and a flat bottom otherwise. From the inner harbor of Victoria, drive South 1.5km to the end of Government Road, and turn left on Dallas for 3.7km. After you pass the cemetery on your left, prepare to turn right on St. Charles Street.

The Ogden Point Breakwater is an 800-metre long breakwater constructed of stacked granite blocks and concrete. Although the breakwater is a marine sanctuary, line fishing is allowed; be alert for fishing gear on the bottom and overzealous boaters. There are five dive flags painted near the top of the west side of the breakwater, with corresponding bronze plaques at the bottom stone of the breakwater directly in line with each flag. The plaques provide a description of the marine life in the area, and the compass bearing to the next plaque. Entry is from the beach, breakwater or dive boat. Caution must be exercised when entering from the breakwater due to the barnacles and concrete blocks obscured by bull kelp. Beach to Flag 1: Mixed cobble and sand bottom, shallowing slowly to 8 metres. Flag 1: 8 metres depth, sand bottom. Flag 2: 8 - 17 metres depth, sand bottom. Flag 3: 17 - 20 metres depth, sand bottom. Flag 4: 22 - 25 metres depth, sand bottom, rubble below 9 metres. Flag 5: 28 - 35 metres depth, mud, sand bottom, tumbled granite blocks. The marine life in this area is abundant and varied. Expect to see the following: Sleeping Canary, Tiger, Black, Yellowtail, Puget Sound and Quillback Rockfish, Octopus, Harbour Seals, Dogfish, Rat Fish, Wolf Eels, Black Eye Gobys greenling, lingcod, Perch, Flounder, Kelp Greenling, Grunt Sculpins, Decorated Warbonnets, Mosshead Warbonnets, Burrowing Sea Cucumbers, Chitons, Hairy Lithoide Crabs, Brittle Stars, Metrudium and Plumose Anemones, Abalone, Crab, Puget Sound King Crab , Swimming Scallops, Ghost Shrimp, and Nudibranchs. There is a dive shop, the Odgen Point Dive Shop, located at the end of the breakwater where you can conveniently get air and rental gear. Odgen Point Breakwater is located at 199 Dallas Rd, Victoria, BC. It is right next to the Helijet airport and the docks where the cruise ships dock. There is a parking lot with paid parking right by the dive shop, with a few stairs to get to the breakwater itself, or follow the path around to the beach. Your entry and exit points can be anywhere along the breakwater, from a minute's walk to a half hour hike from the end.

Browning Passage of Vancouver

The best dive spots are on a heading of 255*. There is one smaller reef and two larger ones just past the first. The bottom is sandy until you hit the reefs. Max depth is 80ft but most of the dive will be 30-60ft. Special note for diving in the Inlet: Ceiling / thermicline can make vis only 2ft at the surface but when you descend below 20ft it will "open up" to excellent vis. It may be dark so carry a flashlight for looking at things up close.-- Geoff

Entry: You need to climb down a small drop to get to the beach - use the dead tree for support. To find the site itself swim straight out (west) from the flag pole about 30-50 feet, then drop straight down. This will land you on one of two reefs. Stay on this reef, or continue into deeper water where you'll encounter a second reef. Both reefs have wolf eels, octopi, a large variety of fish, and plenty of other stuff. In summer watch out for large Cyanea jelly fish - they'll give you a nasty sting. First reef is in ~50' of water. Second reef drops down a series of shelves at 60', 80', 130', and possibly deeper. Because this dive is in the Saanich Inlet there is no significant current. IMO this is the best dive in Victoria aftert the Ogden Breakwater. - Bryan H. From Victoria, go north on West Saanich Rd., continue N throughout Brentwood, after passing through the Tsartlip Indian Reserve you will come to a road called Mt.Newton Cross Rd.on you right and Senanus Dr. on your left, turn LEFT. Follow Senanus Dr. all the way to the end where there is a small parking lot. Access is at the left side. Check out the access point before putting on your gear.(200ft walk) There is a tree that you can use to help get onto the beach. - Geoff

How to get there: Head north from Victoria along the Patricia Bay Highway (highway 17). After ~10km turn left (west) onto Keating Cross Road. This road will take you past a Whites dive shop with a map of the site - a good reference if you've never been there before. Follow Keating until you hit West Saanich Rd, where you turn right (north). Follow this road ~5km to Mount Newton Cross Road, where you turn left (west). Follow the road until it ends in a small cul-de-sac. Park here (don't hog space), and follow the footpath to the dive site. --Bryan H.

For an easy dive, without the hazards of rocks, kelp and strong current, Esquinalt Lagoon offers the chance to see the bottom dwellers you'd expect on a sandy stretch of coast. There are no facilities in the immediate area, so bring water and warmth! From Victoria Harbor, take the Trans-Canada Highway (1) to the North. In 9km go South on Highway 14 (Old Island Highway). In 1.8km turn left on Ocean Blvd and travel for 1km until you reach the bridge below.

Albert Head Lagoon is another wonderful no-current dive for searching out crabs and skates. This site is really off the beaten path, so bring everything you need for a comfortable day. From Victoria Harbor, take the Trans-Canada Highway (1) to the North. In 9km go South on Highway 14 (Old Island Highway). In 4.5km turn left on Metchosin Road and travel for 3.6km until you reach Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park.

Britannia Beach Dock is the site of the old Customs House of years gone by. The area has a lot of history due to the large copper processing plant just across the street, which makes the waters perfect for treasure hunters. While off-gassing, you may want to take a tour of the mine! Heading North from Horseshoe Bay, after about 32km you'll see a large mining facility to the right, and the railroad crossing below to the left.

Telegraph Cove is a nice protected area to get your fins wet. Parking is limited, but the dive is worthwhile. From the Copper Cove dive site turn-off on Marine Drive, continue heading down Marine Drive past the entrance to Whyte Cliff Park. Turn left on Cliff Road, and continue to the trail head below.

Brooks Cove is for the more advanced diver. You'll have quite the swim to get to the prime diving spots, but the effort will be worth it. With depths to over 100 feet, the water clarity will be spectacular! At 1.3km North of Halfmoon Bay, turn left onto Brooks Road, and follow the signs to Smuggler Cove.

For some spectacular diving in some very clear water, try Octopus City. The point offers a good chance to see the namesake. Take a couple of tanks to explore the long coast line out to the point. From the ferry terminal at Saltery Bay, the entrance is less than 3km to the North on 101. This dive site is actually the Saltery Bay Boat Launch. Just enter the water, and turn right to explore Octopus City.

A wonderful beach park for the kids, with hiking trails and facilities, you'll find Saxe Point Park a relaxing spot to spend the day. Bring a couple of tanks and a picnic lunch, and enjoy! From Victoria, head West over the Johnson Street Bridge onto Esquimalt Road. In 3.1km turn left on Fraser Street and head into Saxe Point Park.

The Powell River area offers such spectacular diving, and Dinner Rock is no exception. Basic campground facilities are available, so take a couple of tanks and plan on spending the evening. Drive 4.5km South of Lund, or 15.5km North of the Powell River bridge, then turn Southwest on Dinner Rock Road. The preceding roads you'll encounter from Lund are Malaspina, then Dinner Rock. The preceding roads you'll encounter from Powell River are Wilde, Southview, Gifford, Atrevida, Craig, Emmonds, then Dinner Rock.

Clover Point is a no-frills park used by most to contemplate the coastline and sea beyond. But what make this area worthwhile for the diver is the point and the surrounding marine life. Kelp and creatures will keep you company on this dive. From the inner harbor of Victoria, drive South 1.5km to the end of Government Road, and turn left on Dallas for 1.9km.

Diving here is great! When you finally climb down the rocks using the tree on the right for help. Swim about 100ft from shore then descend. If you swim to the left and out a bit you will come to a sheer wall that drops to 110ft! It is covered in life and in the deeper depths you may find some Cloud sponges. I usually swim on the surface past the 3rd house(left if you are facing away from shore) descend to the wall then to 100ft. I work my way up the wall while going back to the entry point for my safety stop in the kelp beds.(it gives my something to look at) - Geoff Head north on the Pat Bay Highway (#17) turn off, then left at the Royal Oak Dr. overpass (look for the sign) follow Royal Oak Dr. till you get to West Saanich Road. Follow north 6.5km , turn left onto Wallace a Dr. then when you see Willis Point Rd. turn left (the only way to go) Follow all the way to the end (8.2km) where you will find Mark Lane. Turn right and drive down about 0.6km to a fire lane on the left. Do not park right in the lane and be careful not to block peoples driveways. I believe the address of the last house before the fire lane is 7442. To find this on a map it is best to enter into Google Maps or Map Quest: Steamer Drive, Brentwood Bay British Columbia - then look for the fire lane as you are driving along. Its beside a black iron fence. If you encounter Steamer Drive itself, you have just gone past the fire lane. Do not block the fire lane as this is for the fire trucks to get water from the ocean. But there is parking for at least 4 cars here.

Copper Cove is a scenic location, both above and below the water. Located in a quiet residential area, please strive to be unobtrusive. Located due West of the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, the following is a minor detour through the scenic Horseshoe Bay. Take the Upper Levels Highway (1) to Horseshoe Bay. Do not get into the ferry lines, but head down to the water, and turn left on Bay Street. Beautiful, eh?! In 0.3km turn left on Nelson Ave. In 0.5km turn right on Marine Ave. Wind your way down 0.6km to the intersection below.

For something completely different, try White Pine Beach at Sasamat Lake! This is an easy lake dive, perfect for the beginner or for taking your new gear out for a maiden voyage. The family will enjoy the white sand beach and facilities. 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. You'll see the entrance in 3km.

A great site for beginners, Telegraph Bay offers a shallow dive with no current. As you swim toward the points of the bay, you are bound to see the local marine life. (Note: to eliminate any confusion, there is a Telegraph Cove on Northern Vancouver Island that has some spectacular diving, as well!) 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. Close to the intersection of Tudor and Arbutus, you'll find Telegraph Bay Road, which you should follow Northeast into the bay.

Cates Park is a nice location for divers and non-divers alike. Facilities, picnic tables, and beach combing will occupy your family while you're exploring the off-shore reef. From Vancouver, take the Trans Canada Highway into North Vancouver over the Second Narrows Bridge. Make an immediate right, and head East on Dollarton Highway for 5.3km.

There are two very easy dives at the Beach Garden, one to the left and one to the right of the marina. These protected entries are perfect for the beginner, and the breakwaters offer an ideal location to check out new gear and have a relaxing dive. From the ferry terminal at Saltery Bay, the entrance is 26km to the North on 101, just South of Powell River.

Point Atkinson is found at the tip of Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, entrance to the vast Burrard Inlet. This site is a fantastic vantage point for getting a glimpse of all the indigenous marine life. Along with the impressive trail system, basic facilities are available. See your local dive shop for the seasonal conditions and requirements. Located on the Southwestern tip of West Vancouver, access is via Marine Drive. From Vancouver, take the Lionsgate Bridge North and exit on Marine Drive West and drive about 11km. The entrance below will be on your left.

There are two walls here. One as you enter the water, and a much deeper wall whose top starts at about 40 feet and descends below 100 feet. For first time divers, the left most path to the water gives a good starting point as it's easy to enter and the depth is about 20' or so. Watch your footing as there is lots of seaweed on the rocks when the tide is out. There is a channel cut into the rock and can make entering easier then jumping from the rock edge. The second wall most western end can be found at roughly 360 degrees magnetic north. Follow the path from the vehicles straight out to the water (roughly north)and enter the water in a shallow channel. You will have a surface swim of about 500' or so, head out at a North East heading (you can see a snow covered peak in the distance - aim for that)and then descend. The two walls have lots of life on them, there are wolf eels on the outer wall and octopus on both. Crab, lingcod, dogfish etc... can also be seen here and at times the seals will visit. In the spring,summer the visibility can be tough at times (10' or less)but usually at depth it improves. Winter is the best but we have had awsome vis (80' plus)in June. It just depends on the plankton bloom. Follow the Island Hwy north towards Parksville, at Nanoose Bay you will come across Northwest Bay Road at the set of traffic lights. Make a right on to it. Follow Northwest Bay Rd for a few kilometers, and make a right onto Arbutus Drive, then a left onto Madrona Drive and follow it to the end. About a kilometre. The end of Madrona Drive is the parking lot. There is only room for about four cars here. Once your parked, there is a bit of a hike down to the shore. Follow the path and once through the clearing, turn left to go to the shallow wall or go straight (follow the "V" in the rock) to enter for the far wall. Madrona Point is also known as Madrona Wall.

In Union Bay there is a 100ft steel barge at 60ft that has been down for many years. This shore dive has tonnes of life including giant octopus. This is the shore dive on the wreck of the MV Zebalous a 60ft Seign wooden boat @ 50ft. The historic site of the government wharf that has been dismantled is between 40 and 20ft us home to many fish, octopus, moon snails and millions of porcelain & glass objects including hand blown opium vials (left by the oriental railway workers) that have been discarded where the old steam ships once docked. Union Bay

Diving here you go 30-40 ft from shore and descend. There is a wall with some interesting contours along it. The wall starts at about 30ft and goes all the way down over 120ft. If you are lucky in the summer you will find 6 gill sharks but only at 80ft and deeper. This dive site does require a walk of approximately 5 minutes. And a rocky trail leads down to the gravel beach. Once you are in the water there are some walls, but not much life on them. There is more life in the gravel. This site is more well known for one of the few places that the Six Gill Sharks sometimes are spotted here during the summer at depths of around 30 metres [100 feet]. Head north on the Pat Bay Highway (#17) turn off, then left at the Royal Oak Dr. overpass (look for the sign) follow Royal Oak Dr. till you get to West Saanich Road. Follow north 6.5km , turn left onto Wallace a Dr. then when you see Willis Point Rd. turn left (the only way to go) Follow all the way to the end (8.2km) where you will find Mark Lane. Go left and you will find McKenzie Bight. There will be a locked gate. Go down the path a bit and you will find different paths that lead to different beaches and entry points(spot #1 is 200m,spot #2 is 600m and #3 is the end). I usual take the first one I see but check it out in advance. - Geoff

This is a nice suburban park with very easy access to two small islands. Take time to circle the islands, watching for boat traffic. You won't find facilities here, but you will find a relaxing atmosphere! From Cates Park, head North on Dollarton Highway for 1.6km, then right onto Strathcona. Wind around for less than a kilometer until you find the parking below.

Cattle Point is mainly used for dog walkers and boat launchers, but if you are careful, you can slip down the boat ramp and explore some very scenic coastline. The current is, of course, an issue, so check with your local dive shop for the seasonal conditions. Located in the Uplands Park of the District of Oak Bay, you'll see the entrance to Cattle Point off Beach Drive.

Varied wildlife, Octopi, Wolf Eels, Ling Cod, Anemone. Park at the end of the street and follow the short path 20 to 30 ft to shore.

The town of Sydney has started an artificial reef on both sides of the pier. These reefs consist of concrete "reef balls". These balls are shaped like hollow soccer balls, and make homes for a variety of animals. There isn't too much to see hear - a lot of leaf kelp, a few anemones, some nudibranches and the odd rockfish. The pier is a popular spot for crabbing, although we didn't see too many large crabs.To find the artificial reefs swim out along the pier until you hit the second-last pair of supports for the pier. Descend along the support; this will land you directly on the reef balls. You can then do a circuit - follow the balls east to the end of the pier, then cross the pier to pick up the second set of balls. Follow these balls west, back towards shore. That's it - easy as pie! The dives shallow; at high tide you'll be lucky to hit 10m/30'. Just two things to be concerned about; fishermen on the pier and current. This dive is best done on slack. Fishermen usually don't cast as far as the reef balls, but be prepared for monofilament when you pass under the pier. From Victoria take highway 17 North until the Beacon Ave turnoff for the town of Sydney (~20km from downtown Victoria). Turn right (east) onto Beacon Ave, and follow it to 2nd Street - at this point turn right (south) onto 2nd, take it for one block and then turn left. This'll put you on Bevan Ave, from here you should be able to see the Pier. Park where possible, gear up, and walk to the pier. You can enter on either side of the pier - careful, both entries are rocky and slippery.

This dive is best done on a long slack tide as currents need to be considered. The dive itself is 50-60ft max amongst the pilings. farther out is nothing but sand and a loooong swim back. Locals quite often use this as a night dive site. You will find octo hiding at the base of the pilings, both the giant pacific octo and the tiny ruby octo. Also frequently seen are stubby squid, small orange/pink smooth skinned [these are not ruby octo] as well as lots of the usual marine life, anemones etc. Located on Campbell River. Turn right [if going north] off coastal island hiway [just after Canadian tire] onto Spit Road, follow short distance [less than a km] wharf is on your right [big wooden pilings]

You are diving on the remnants of an old government wharf which was destroyed in a severe storm. The bank head of the wharf is observable from the boat launch, off to your left, on the hill. You want to swim under this, at which point you then submerge and follow the wreckage out. The wharf used to be huge - over 20m/60' high, and 800m/0.5mi long! There is a lot to see as you follow the wreckage - coal cars, pilings, tanks, bottles, and lots of other debris. Not a lot of life, although the sandy regions in-between pieces of wreckage are home to all kinds of crabs, telias, sole, and other sand-feeders. Fish tend to congregate around some of the larger pieces of wreckage. Depth varies from 3m/10' to approx 20m/60'. A large portion of this dive is next to an active boat launch. Fly a flag. This dive is exposed directly to a channel, so be prepared for some current. Best dived at high tide - vis can be very poor at low tide. Also, at high tide you can escape (i.e. 'swim over' the crazy-glue like mud which is exposed at low tide. Take the old island highway to Union Bay (located mid-way between Comox and Nanaimo). Park at the boat launch. The launch is also your entry point. There is a dive shop on the other side of the road. The owner is very familiar with the local sites, and has some of the cheapest air fills around.

Ansel Point is largely a sheer wall, so it is a site that is appropriate for those that are very comfortable with their buoyancy in cold water conditions. Either direction has plenty of wall to explore with critters like squat lobsters, golf ball crabs and the occasional seal to check out. There are a pair of wolf eels that are intermittently spotted under a large rock at approximately 75' (22m) on the wall if you head to the right. A point of interest to the diver's left as you enter the water is a wall cutting at about 20 meters that goes back into the cliff about 4-5 meters. It tends to be a gathering place for rockfish and ling cod and is a good place to begin your dive. The access to this site can be slightly difficult as you need to go down 65 steps followed by a climb down high and uneven rock to cross into the tidal area. Occasionally rough water can make entry and exit from the site a challenge. Good fitness is essential. If you're planning two dives leave your gear at the bottom of the stairs and just replace your tanks.

Dive off the end of the dock (left side) and swim out to the marker buoy. Descend down the line vis may be bad on the surface but around 20ft it will clear up. Swim along the bottom on a heading of about 90* and you should co to a reef with a sunken speed boat on the side to it swim a little further and the wreck will appear out of the dark (it looks rather eerie). No one knows the name or who owned it. I start by swimming along the side then at the end I swim through the middle with the wreckage coming out of the bottom all around me. There are big schools of fish that may follow you around , plume enimnies , nudeabranks, crabs and other such life. It is a large wreck (165ft long) so it may take two dives to see the whole thing but I have been 6 times I still love going there. When you pay ask which buoy to go to as there are a few and they change places a lot. There is no current to speak of even on large tidal exchanges. Even during not so good weather when you can not dive anywhere else you can dive here! Have fun! - Geoff

Additional Information from Bryan Heit:

1) The ship is a train barge which sunk in the 1950's (not 100 years ago as listed). The barge struck a reef just outside the harbor and limped in - only to sink about 100' away from the dock! No one knows who the owner was, nor the name of the ship.

2) The buoy which you dive to is the faded pick spherical buoy, located at about a 45 degree angle to the right of the dock when standing in the parking lot. This has been the same buoy for several years.

3) At the bottom of the buoy is half of a speed boat. According to the owner of the marina this boat sunk in 2001 when he was towing it - the owner hadn't paid their dockage fees. A great picture opportunity is to get a photo of someone "driving" the boat.

4) The barge itself is in poor condition, and penetration should not be attempted. Large sections of the wreak have collapsed in, making any penetration dangerous. But there's a lot to see on the outside, including ling cod, grenlings and purch.

5) As mentioned the marina owner is really nice, and will fill tanks for $5, including parking.

6) Another (free) entry option: Take highway 17 towards the ferry terminal, to Wain Rd. Take Wain west until it ends, turn right (north) onto the road at the end of wain (mardrona drive). Follow this 3-4 blocks until you reach Setchel Rd. Turn left, follow the road to it's end, and park in the cul-de-sac. Take the path down to the point, and dive from there. The wreak is to the left. If you dive from this spot swim along the bottom to the wreak - there used to be an old Chinese colony here and there is a tone of debris to see, including a lot of old bottles.

7) Dive this dive at the end of high slack. There is too much silt at low tide, but if you wait for high slack vis increases dramatically.

8) As this is a marina you should fly a dive flag. from Victoria take the Pat Bay Highway (#18) towards the ferry terminal but just before it take the Wain Rd. exit. Follow Wain Rd. all the way to a four way stop (Madrona Dr.) turn right onto Madrona Dr. then turn right again and look for the Deep Cove Marina their address is 10990 Madrona. Phone # (250) 656-0060. They charge $3 per diver to dive off the end of the dock (secured parking included). They also have an air station there and last time I was there he charged me $5 to fill my tank but waived the $3 dock/parking fee. You can dive off a near by point but it is a long swim and limited parking. It is well worth the $3! - Geoff

Easy to find, easy to access and when you are done the dive shop across the street will fill your tank for FREE. Union Bay is home to a 100 ft wreck. The wreck is marked with a buoy and the entry point is the breakwater. The wreck has been down a long time so there is lots of life including octopus & ling cod. This area was once a major port for the loading of coal for steamships, many strange and wonderful artifacts have been found. There are picnic tables and a large propeller on display on the breakwater.

Entry is to the left of the rock breakwater, on the sandy beach. Simply walk in and swim alongside the breakwater. As you swim, look for a large pipe. When you find this pipe, turn and follow it to its end (bearing ~225 degrees). At the end of the pipe make a 90-degree turn to your right. The remnants of the Malahat should be just a short swim away. The Malahat was a turn-of-the-century schooner, made famous as a rum runner during prohibition in the US. It used to run legal booze from Vancouver to California, where it would become a floating liquor store in international waters. Post-prohibition it became a logging ship, eventually being sunk in Powell River. Not much remains of the ship today, with the exception of a few ribs and some machinery. But the site is covered in life. Lingcod, octopi, wolf eels and more make their home here. An excellent and interesting dive. The Malahat is ~30m/100' long, and lies in 12m-18m (40'-60') of water. The wreck is located in the Malaspina Straight, so current may be an issue. Many people boat in this area - use a flag. This dive is located in the town of Powell River. Take highway 101 (AKA Marine Ave) to the pulp mill and turn into the mill's access road. Immediately after you turn onto the access road it'll split - take the left-hand roadway. Follow this for ~1km. The dive site is at the bottom of the hill, beside the last small breakwater. There is a small "island" the road loops around - this is a good place to park your vehicle.

Do you have time for a scenic drive? Then take a beautiful drive through some wonderful scenic countryside in North Vancouver to dive the Lone Rock at Woodlands. From Cates Park, head North on Dollarton Highway for 1.3km, then left onto Mount Seymour Parkway for 1.1km, then right onto Mt. Seymour Road for 0.6km, then right onto Indian River Road. If you've made it this far, congratulations! Follow the signs to Woodlands as you wind through the forest for 4.8km to the stop sign below.

This site is usually explored for artifacts of years gone by, as this was once a major marine thoroughfare. If you enjoy the thrill of treasure hunting, this spot's for you! Located on the Southwestern tip of West Vancouver, access is via Marine Drive. From Vancouver, take the Lionsgate Bridge North and exit on Marine Drive West and drive about 11km. The entrance to the Cove is located immediately East of Lighthouse Park. Turn left on The Dale, then left again on the one-way Piccadilly Street. Drive slowly, and make a right on Pilot House Road. After 500 meters, you'll see the parking below.

Enter on the south side of the jetty. The jetty itself has a lot of small invertebrates and fish, but the most interesting stuff is the two small wrecks located south of the jetty. The easiest way to find the wrecks is to swim south from the jetty and keep yourself in water ~30' deep. Both wrecks lie between 30-40', and the slope is steep enough here that following the depth contour will take you straight to both wrecks. There is little current in the area, but lots of boat traffic. From Powell River, head north on highway 101 towards Lund. About 5km before Lund is a turnoff for Okover Provincial Park (Malispina Road). Turn right (east) onto this road and follow it to the park. The best diving is by the jetty found just south of the wharf.

Quathiaski Cove Quadra Island (Campbell River) Great shore dive, easy entry/lots of life/clear water a definite 6/5! Give you something other than Victoria (south island) for 'SECOND BEST DIVING IN WORLD'

Far more boulders and formations than Octo City and far more life. Really a much nicer dive than Octo city and almost guaranteed a big Octo or two. This dive site is actually the Saltery Bay Boat Launch. Just enter the water, and turn left (south to about 100' at average tide) to explore Octopus Ghetto. Octopus Ghetto is also known as Saltery Bay Boat Launch South.

This dive site is quite nice as far as the entry goes, and there are out-houses here. This is a nice beach with picnic tables as well. Swim along the left side of the beach out to the point, and beyond. This dive site could almost be considered two dive sites. By accessing the water here by Elliot's Beach Park at the end of Elliot Way you can also access the rock structure that is just past the end of the point to the south east of the beach. Use Google Earth to locate this site, which is near Ladysmith in British Columbia. Elliot's Beach Park is also known as Elliot Way Beach.

This dive site is hard to predict slack current for. An artificial reef exists here, of hollow concrete half spheres. There is also the wreck of a small sail boat. But despite this dive sites problems this can be an interesting dive. This dive site is located right downtown in Sidney at the end of Beacon Avenue. There is a park here at the water front. Just look for the beach, and the stairs leading into the water. This is also one of the few dive locations where there is a wheel chair ramp. But this is best used at high tide. As they did not seem to account for low tide for it. Sidney Waterfront is also known as Sidney.

There are a couple of rock outcroppings that start at about 10 feet [3 m] deep and one descends to about 50 feet below the surface, and the other descends to over 90 feet below the surface. There is also the bay to the east to explore. To get to Setchell Road in North Saanich. You need to follow the Pat [Patricia] Bay Highway from Victoria and just after you pass Sidney, turn off to the left onto Wain Road. Follow Wain until you are forced to go left or right. Make a right onto Madrona Drive. Setchell Road is just a short distance after this to the left. Deep Cove is also known as Setchell Road Beach Access.

This dive site is very good for beginners. Not good for wheel chairs as you need to take the stairs down to the beach. But from the parking area to the beach is less than 50 feet. This dive site is located at the west end of Braemar Avenue. To get to this dive site, if you are traveling from the south follow West Saanich Road north, and turn off onto Ardmore Road and follow it until it becomes Ardmore Drive. Braemar Avenue intersects Ardmore Drive. Braemar Avenue is also known as Braemar Beach.

Provicial marine park, there is number of small wrecks to see (Granthall wreck, Nakaya wreck...), lots of fish life. Easy access with changing rooms / washrooms Porteau Cove is also known as Porteau Cove Provincial Park, Granthall wreck, Nakaya wreck.

There is a sand bank or rocks to scramble down and up to get to and from the water. The CCG Ready and a fishing trawler are in 30-50 feet of water side by side. Neither wreck was prepared for sinking so beware of sharp edges and entanglement hazards. Access to this site is from Highway 99 just south of Britannia Beach. Parking is availible either beside the coffee shop in the gravel lot or on the side of the road, south bound, by the light post across from the T intersection. From the coffee shop, cross the highway, drop down to the beach, and swim over to the pilings. From the road side, cross the train tracks and follow the path through the trees to the pilings. There is an easier entry, past the tree house, to the left as you face the water. CCG Ready is also known as Britannia Beach.

McCurdy Point is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Johnstone Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

HMCS Saskatchewan was a Mackenzie-class Destroyer Escort of 366-feet (111 metres), 2900 tons. Sunk in 1997. off Snake Island, near Nanaimo HMCS Saskatchewan is also known as DDE 262, DDE-262.

Chain Islet is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Fulford Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

The HMCS Cape Breton (ARE 100) was built in 1944-45 in British Columbia by the Burrard Drydock Company and served in the United Kingdom's Royal Navy as Flamborough Head. In 1951 she returned to Canada under the ownership of the Royal Canadian Navy, renamed Cape Breton and re-assigned as a training vessel at Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1958 she sailed for Esquimalt, B.C. and was converted to an escort maintenance vessel. Cape Breton was re-enrolled on November 16, 1959 and served as a repair ship at least until February 10, 1964 when she was paid off into reserve. The HMCS Cape Breton was a 411 ft. escort maintenance ship and sunk October 20, 2001 in 145' ft.of water. The largest diver prepared artificial reef on the coast, its crows nest can be reached at 40 ft., top of funnel 50 ft., captains quarters 85 ft., for and aft decks at 100 ft. and the engine room reached at a depth of 140 ft. Specifications (from Wikipedia): * Commissined: 1944; 1952 * Paid off: 1952; 1964 * Displacement: 8580 tons * Length: 441 feet * Width: 57 feet * Draught: 20 feet * Top Speed: 11 knots * Crew: 270 * Armament: none HMCS Cape Breton was sunk and now lays near Snake Island in Nanaimo harbour. Three Tie up floats, Sits Bow Pointing North. HMCS Cape Breton is also known as ARE 100.

Brinn Rock is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Snake island is a Bird Sanctuary, and home to approx 200 Harbour Seals. Great snorkeling & scuba. Snake Island is located 3 kilometers from Departure Bay in Nanaimo, approx a 10 minute by boat ride.

The dive: Swim out a minute then hang right and find the 30 ft contour. Swim a few minutes until you find the shallow wall (4 mins or so). Pass this wall start going down over the boulder field (bottoms at 65 ft or so) and stay along that coutour continuing NW. A short while - 12 mins from the beach - you start seeing the bedrock at the start of the wall. Crenelated at first, angle down to say 95 ft. When you reach the cable, swim just a bit further then go down deep. Bottoms well below 250 ft, on the chart says almost 300 ft. Overhanging skyscraper type wall in places. I have hit 234 ft. Beach access is at Beachcomber Regional Park, on Cottam Point, north shore of Northwest Bay. Walk trail to beach (nice gravel at high tide, slippery larger rocks at low tide) and enter.

Follow the Island Highway from Nanaimo. Then turn off at Nanoose Bay onto Northwest Bay Road then follow it until you can make a right onto Steward Road. Follow it until it turns into Davenham Road then into Dolphin Drive and then keep an eye out for Tyee Crescent. Then just park beside the mail boxes, at the corner of Tyee Crescent and Dolphin Drive. Dolphin Beach is also known as Tyee Crescent Beach.

"By virtue of her being only 37 feet high, the artificial reef will be able to offer divers the opportunity to do penetration dives shallower than 70 feet. This makes for an ideal diving training environment. With the main deck at over 80 feet in most cases and the bulk of the artificial reef below that. Such depths are sometimes intimidating for divers, and shorten the time a diver is able to spend underwater. The 737 airframe, with its wide-open inside space, numerous existing windows, and extra access holes cut for divers, offers a well lit, expansive reef to explore at an advantageous depth. It is an excellent and safe place to learn wreck basic diving skills." Source: pacificwebsites.com Awesome dive! Near Comox, on Vancouver Island. Just north west of Chemainus. Xihwu (Key-Quot) is also known as Chemainus Boeing737 reef.

The HMCS Columbia was a destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces from 1959-1974. She was removed from reserve status in 1988 and sunk as an artificial reef off Maud Island in British Columbia in 1996. This is a good first time deep or wreck dive as the stern is shallow (70 - 80 feet or so dependant on tide) and the bow is 115 ft down to the muck. There are 3 bouys to tie up to and they are kept in good repair throughout the year. There is lots of life on this wreck, large lingcod, octopus (look in the vent stacks near the open bridge)greenlings, rock cod, sea pens, anenomes of all sizes....... the list goes on. Great for a night dive as it's in a sheltered area and if the visibility is good; the ship appearing out of the dark is a fantastic sight. For more info on this wreck go to : http://www.artificialreef.bc.ca/ and check out the video in the gallery. This site also lists other artificial reefs in the Vancouver Island area. Best access is by boat out of Campbell River. The wreck of the HMCS Columbia is in about 110 feet of water and marked by 3 buoys, one at its stern, which is the North end of the wreck, one amidship and one on the bow. Decend down the Northern buoy line to reach the stern. HMCS Columbia is also known as Wreck behind Maud Island.

If coming from the Ferry Terminal make a left onto Brechin Road just as you leave the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal area. Follow it up to the lights, staying on the right side of the road. When you get to the lights you will be making a right onto Estevan Road - which almost immediately becomes Departure Bay road. Follow Departure Bay Road and after you pass the beach at the bottom of the hill, make a left onto Hammond Bay Road. Follow this for a few kilometers then make a right onto Morningside Drive and drive past the school, and you will see the sign for Neck Point. You will need to park in the lower parking lot. The main one shown on the web page: www.Robots4Farms.com If you know someone in town, then there is a key to the parking area closer to the dive site. Neck Point is also known as Neck Point, Nanaimo.

The dive: Continue down, the slope steepens until around 85 ft then really steepens, by app 115 ft becomes close to vertical. There is a large fishing net draped over the edges. Some cloud sponges below 160 ft. Imagine a 15 story wall 4 minutes swim from the beach. Park off road near obvious trail near the Beachcomber Regional Park sign. Walk down trail to beach (nice gravel at high tide, slippery larger rocks at low tide). Enter and swim directly magnetic south, perhaps angling a little left over the clam beds till you find the rocks.

This is a shallow dive site, with lots of parking. To enter the water follow the trail to the north west of the parking lot down to the beach. The wall starts almost at the surface and can be followed both to the left and right once you are in the water. This dive site is located within Saxe Point Park at the end of Fraser Street within the city of Esquimalt. Which is located just west of Victoria, British Columbia. Saxe Point is also known as Saxe Point Park.

Most divers do the right wall, follow it and go around rocky peninsula and return back to the bay. If you breathe very well, stay shallow and current helps you a bit - you can end your dive at famous WhyteCliff "The Cut" or in WhyteCliff bay. However, this dive is only for experienced divers - if you not sure - DO NOT try it. There is usually a strong (sometimes very strong) current at the Lookout Point bay's entry (from right side). Sometimes it's very hard to go back into the bay - specially when high/low tide begins. There is not too much things to see in the middle of the bay - sea bottom is flat, sandy, and gently goes into deep. However, right wall has enough marine life for an interesting dive - seastars, kelp, crabs, shells, fish, etc... A relatively big bay with instant public access to the water near WhyteCliff park. It's around 100 meters far from it.

HMCS Annapolis was an Annapolis-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later, the Canadian Forces. She was the second Canadian naval unit to carry this name. Named for the Annapolis River that flows through Nova Scotia, the ship entered service in 1964, the last of the St. Laurent-class design. Serving through the Cold War, Annapolis was decommissioned in 1998 before going through a protracted legal battle for use as an artificial reef. Annapolis was sold to the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) in 2008. She was sunk, after some years of legal disputes over environmental concerns, as an artificial reef and long-term marine habitat in Halkett Bay Provincial Park off Gambier Island in Howe Sound on 4 April 2015. The wreck lies upright on the sea floor at a depth of 32 metres (105 ft) with the top of the ship reaching a depth of 10.5 metres (34 ft). Source: Wikipedia.org

The water quality varies here quite a bit. So, this location may only be good some of the time, partly because it is shallow here. If the conditions are not good above 50 feet, then you should dive Neck Point or Dolphin Beach. If you're starting out from the ferry terminal you need to get on to and follow Hammond Bay Road, and assuming your coming from the south, make a right onto Entwhistle Road and follow it until you can make a right onto Fillinger Crescent. Keep an eye out for the bear statue and the actual address is 5040 Fillinger Crescent. You should see the bears their holding the street address at the entrance of this old boat launch. Plenty of parking at this dive location. The waters here are fairly shallow and most of your diving will probably be above 50 feet [16 metres].

At high tide there are 2 rocks [at low tide a large notch between these rocks ] that form the sides of the dive site. At the outside of these rocks [+/- 30ft depth] it opens out to a nice wide gentle slope. Follow the rock edge to either side, and you can find octo and wolf eels, as well as many of the usual life. It is used as an open water training site. There is little to no current. Note: at high tide the walk to the water is considerably shorter :-) Moulds Bay is on Quadra Island, [just across discovery passage from Campbell River]. Take the ferry from Campbell River, follow directions to the Cortes ferry [part way at least] turn left onto Hyacynth Road. Follow to Valdez Road, The dive site is at end of Valdez Road. Park off to side of the road. This is a popular launch site for kayaks, too.

Great current, wall dive. Lots of fish, Sea pens, Anemones, Nudibranch, Puget Sound King Crab, Octopus .... the list goes on. You may even be visited by Pacific White sided dolphins, Porpoises (Dall's and Harbour) or Orca's. Better vis during the fall,winter (100 ft plus) but can be done in the summer( vis 15 to 25 ft)during the algae bloom. Nothing quite like being at 70 to 80 ft with a wall on one side and the current carrying you along as if you are flying. Be aware that this is in the Campbell River area and the current and or exchange can be drastic in nature. Go with an experienced guide or Dive charter to ensure that you are going in at the proper time. There is the possibility that the currents can take you deeper then anticipated and that's why I recommend AOW experience. There's lots to see above 60 feet but you should have experience with drift,deep, and wall diving. Boat dive off of April Point Lodge, Quadra Island. Not for first time divers as you must know when to put in for a dive with current. Go with a reputable Dive charter or knowledgable locals. Should use a depth finder to locate pinnicle off shore from the lodge, go in at 20 feet and follow on out side moving southeast.

Eagle Island is also affectionately known by the proprietor of the local dive shop as Ewok Island due to its remarkable likeness (above water) to the forests where the Ewoks from Star Wars live. This dive site is notorious for having very strong currents. It is precisely this reason that makes it a good drift diving spot. The underwater biology largely consists of large white sea anemones coupled with a myriad of fish species, various crustaceans and the odd seal. This site can only be accessed by boat (or floatplane). The only local dive centre; Ocean Planet Adventures Tofino, is a company that will take divers to this site via dive boat. Eagle Island is also known as Ewok Island.