Vancouver Island offers some of the greatest diversity of marine life in North America and an abundance of spectacular dive sites.
Dive historic shipwrecks, man-made artificial and natural reefs, pinnacles and walls thriving with life. See huge cloud sponges, giant Pacific octopus and wolf eels, and watch for giant six-gill sharks. Some popular places to dive include Barkley Sound on the west coast, Browning Wall near Port Hardy, and Discovery Pass near Campbell River.
Dive charters, lodges and dive boats operate year-round, with the best diving conditions occurring during fall and winter months when visibility can exceed 30m/100ft.
Wreck Dives and Artificial Reefs
The Cape Breton is one of the world’s largest artificial reefs. This 134m/440ft WWII-era Victory Ship sits upright in the waters off Snake Island near Nanaimo. Another ship, the 112m/366ft destroyer escortHMCS Saskatchewan, lies nearby.
A Boeing 737 sunk near Chemainus is Vancouver Island’s most unique artificial reef. Sitting 3m/10ft off the bottom, the plane gives the appearance of “flying” over the ocean floor. Sit in the cockpit for a unique photo opportunity or admire the cedar Coast Salish sea urchin carving fixed to the plane's nose.
More notable artificial reefs are the 112-m/366-ft HMCS Mackenzie and the 53m/175ft WWII supply ship G.B Church, both located near Sidney, while the ex-destroyer HMCS Columbia lies off Campbell River. A good wreck dive for beginners is the 47-m/157-ft Rivtow Lion, a deep-sea salvage tug sunk in shallow waters off Nanaimo.
Historic Shipwrecks
One of the most popular dives in Barkley Sound – known as the “graveyard of the Pacific” – is the wreck the Vanlene, a 144m/473ft car carrier that ran aground in 1972. Watch for schools of rockfish and lingcod residing among the rusted-out cargo of Japanese automobiles.
A “must-dive" wreck on Vancouver Island’s eastern shoreline is the SS Capilano, a steamship that ran aground in 1915 and now lies upright covered in ghostly white anemones. Another wreck for experienced divers is the Del Norte, a 60-m/196-ft side-wheel schooner that ran aground in 1868 in the Gulf Islands near Chemainus.
Wall and Drift Dives
Browning Wall is rated one of the best wall dives in North America. Located near Port Hardy, the clear, nutrient-rich waters of Browning Passage are famous for 30m/100ft visibility and abundant sea life: brilliantly coloured sponges, anemones, corals and fish.
Colourful walls blanketed in strawberry anemones and drift dives in Discovery Pass near Campbell River draw divers back year after year. Underwater photographers are amazed by the incredible colours and sheer variety of life.
In the southern Gulf Islands Gabriola Pass, Dodd Narrows and Porlier Pass provide exciting and colourful drifts for experienced divers.
Giant Six-Gill Sharks
The elusive six-gill shark is regularly seen at several Vancouver Island locations. Notable dive spots to view these 2-3m/6-9ft sharks are Hornby Island, Barkley Sound and Nootka Sound. The best time to catch a glimpse of these creatures is July and August.
Dive Charters
Looking for the best Vancouver Island dive experience? Consider a dive resort or charter. Mobile, live aboard vessels provide flexible dive schedules, onboard accommodation and hearty meals. Shore-based dive resorts (sometimes accessible only by water) feature roomy aluminum dive boats that allow easy access to and from the water.
Explore Port Hardy’s famous walls, reefs and pinnacles from a boat-accessed wilderness resort. Stay in a dive lodge on Quadra or Hornby island. Dive Barkley Sound’s signature site, Renate's Reef and stay in a wilderness dive resort. Take a dive charter to the sunken wrecks off Nanaimo, Chemainus, and Sidney, or explore the giant sponge formations in Brentwood Bay.
Practical Points
- Vancouver Island’s waters are temperate, ranging from 8-12C/46-53F. A good wetsuit or drysuit is mandatory for an enjoyable dive experience.
- A full range of gear, including wetsuits and 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.
Show Less