Diving
Victoria is home to one of the Pacific Northwest’s best dive areas.
The area is known for its mild weather, easily accessible shore dives, interesting and challenging offshore sites and clear Pacific Ocean waters that offer an incredible variety of marine life.
Victoria supports an active dive community. On weekends, divers flock to shore dives like Ogden Point Breakwater or head out on charter boats to wreck sites, artificial reefs and offshore dive locations like Race Rocks.
Slip underwater and be awed by colourful, soft corals and anemones while massive cloud sponges look great in photos and provide perfect hiding spots for crabs, shrimp and fish. Poke around rock piles and cracks and you may come across a giant Pacific octopus or fierce-looking (but diver-friendly) wolf eels.
Giant kelp forests provide perfect cover for lingcod, rockfish and a multitude of small fish and invertebrates. Above the waves, California and Steller sea lions are often seen lounging on rocky islets or shoreline boulders.
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Dive at Race Rocks
Race Rocks is one of south Vancouver Island’s premiere dive locations. This boat-access dive site is renowned for its current-swept waters and multitude of marine creatures. The shallow waters surrounding the islets are an undersea forest of thick waving kelp, ideal for supporting all manner of ocean life.
The strong currents in the area bring in rich food sources for large ocean mammals, which makes Race Rocks popular for both whale watching and wildlife tours. Watch for playful seals and sea lions that often join divers at this site.
Shore Diving at Ogden Point
Victoria’s most easily accessible shore dive is also one of the best shore dives in the entire Pacific Northwest. Ogden Point Breakwater’s 800m/2,500ft of stacked granite blocks and concrete provides divers with easy shore access and creates an ideal habitat for wolf eels, octopuses, lingcod, Puget Sound king crabs, swimming scallops and more. An on-site dive shop provides full equipment rentals and air fills.
Victoria Dive Charters
Charters are a great way to experience the best Victoria dive sites. Dive boats based in Victoria, Sooke and Sidney take divers to favourite sites like Race Rocks, Swordfish Island, Saanich Inlet and the wrecks and artificial reefs around Sidney.
Wrecks and Artificial Reefs
Minutes from Victoria, the waters off Sidney are home to artificial reefs created by the 52m/175ft WWII-era coastal freighter GB Church, and the 111m/366ft ex-Canadian-Navy destroyer HMCS Mackenzie. The thriving marine ecosystem, easy depth and gentle currents make these shipwrecks a favourite with local divers.
Sidney’s downtown fishing pier is also a good spot for beginners, as it offers easy access and an artificial reef extending from the beach. Watch for swimming scallops, ling cod and rockfish; underwater photographers will appreciate the excellent macro opportunities.
Practical Points
- Victoria’s waters are temperate, ranging from 8-12C/46-53F, 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 wetsuits 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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