Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Diving
Diver with wolf eel, Barb Roy photo
The sheltered waters of the Vancouver Coast & Mountains region offer clean, unspoiled and spectacular shore diving, historic wrecks sites, current-swept walls and unique artificial reefs.
Dive a sunken warship in a protected marine park, or make friends with the Emerald Princess. Explore wrecks, reefs and pinnacles, drift past sponge-covered walls, or marvel at sea life that lives in the fastest tidal rapids in North America.
Encounter giant Pacific octopus, multiple species of rockfish, crabs, nudibranchs, swimming scallops, corals and sponges. Look closely for a mound of crushed shells – a wolf eel lair is sure to be nearby. These fierce-looking but friendly creatures often grow to 2m/6.5ft or more and are easily coaxed from their nests and hand-fed by divers.
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Shore Dives
Many easily accessible shore dives dot the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound. Powell River and Lund offer clear water, minimal currents and dozens of great dive sites. Tuwanek Point near Sechelt has a great mix of sea life, including resident wolf eels and octopus. Howe Sound features a great variety of dives accessible from both Vancouver and Squamish.
Wreck Dives and Artificial Reefs
The region’s most iconic dive is the Emerald Princess, a 2.7m/9ft bronze mermaid statue located in Mermaid Cove in Saltery Bay Provincial Park. Another popular wreck dive is the Malahat, a five-masted wooden schooner lying off the world’s largest floating breakwater in Powell River.
Marine parks have some excellent wreck dives: the 112m/366ft ex-navy-destroyer HMCS Chaudier lies in Sechelt Inlets Marine Park, while 41m/136ft wooden minesweeper Nakaya is one of several wrecks in Porteau Cove Provincial Park.
Dive Charters
Guided trips are the best way to experience the great diving in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Most local dive shops host weekend trips and charters.
On the Sunshine Coast, charter operators can be found in both Powell River and Sechelt. Popular dive areas include Sechelt Inlet, Agamemnon Channel, Skookumchuck Rapids and Tzoonie Narrows.
Dive charters vary between mobile, live-aboard dive vessels that provide flexible dive schedules, onboard accommodation and hearty meals, and shore-based resorts featuring roomy aluminum skiffs that allow divers easy access to and from the water.
Practical Points
- Waters here are temperate, ranging from 8 to 12C/46 to 53F, so a good wetsuit or drysuit is mandatory for an enjoyable dive experience. The best visibility occurs in the fall and winter months.
- A full range of gear, including the option for wet- or drysuits, can be rented from most local dive shops. Proof of diver certification is required for all equipment rentals, air fills and dive charters.
- Tidal currents can vary greatly; always consult local tide tables before entering the water. Dive shops and charter operators are the best source of information for up-to-date dive conditions.
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