Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Nanaimo

Ready to check out the best sites in Nanaimo for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 5 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. No matter what you're looking for, you can find a diverse range of the best ocean activities in Nanaimo to suit your needs.
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Rocky Point

#1 - Rocky Point

Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island

beginner
(0)
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].
HMCS Saskatchewan

#2 - HMCS Saskatchewan

Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island

intermediate
(0)
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.
HMCS Cape Breton

#3 - HMCS Cape Breton

Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island

intermediate
(0)
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.
Snake Island

#4 - Snake Island

Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island

intermediate
(0)
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.
Neck Point

#5 - Neck Point

Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island

beginner
(0)
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.