Vancouver Island and environs are internationally recognized as a premiere diving destination. Read the Vancouver Island 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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]
Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in Vancouver Island are Ogden Breakwater (4.8 from 17 reviews), McNeill Point (5.0 from 3 reviews) and Ten Mile Point (4.6 from 13 reviews).
The top-rated beginner sites are McNeill Point (5.0 from 3 reviews), Ten Mile Point (4.6 from 13 reviews) and Ogden Point Breakwater (5.0 from 1 review).
Ogden Breakwater, McNeill Point, Ten Mile Point and Spring Bay are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.
Zentacle lists 2 dive shops in Vancouver Island. The top-rated are Frank White's Scuba Shop, Ltd. (4.8 from 105 reviews) and Rockfish Divers (4.9 from 28 reviews).
