Diving in British Columbia is some of the finest in the world. From the shores of Vancouver, North to the Sunshine coast, and then to the inlets of Vancouver Island, there are phenomenal opportunities to view sea life and explore the underwater terrain. Local operators offer their guidance, expertise and advice; rely on their knowledge and understanding of their region. Explore the variety of dive locations and dive safely!

British Columbia

Mount Waddington

Canada

This site was more popular in the past when the pier existed. But there is still enough life here, to make it worth while.

This dive site is located where the old pier used to be near the east end of Mine Road. In Google Maps a pier is still shown, but it was taken down years ago. However, some of the debris remains below the water and provides homes for life. The beach access is located beside a set of industrial buildings that are still in use, and a gravel area at the north end is where the beach access is.

Port McNeill is also known as Mine Road Beach.

Port McNeill

This location should really be done as a night dive, in order to avoid the problem of boat traffic. Other than that, this is one of the easiest places to get in and out of the water.

This dive site is even wheel chair accessible. Due to the fact this is really a boat launch. Just follow the Island Highway to Port Hardy, and take the turn off for the Bear Cove Highway to the B.C. Government Ferry Terminal. Also known as the Port Hardy-Bella Coola / Discovery Coast
Passage Ferry. The boat launch is near the ferry terminal.

Bear Cove is also known as Bear Cove Boat Launch.

Bear Cove

This is one of Vancouver Island's best cold water dive spots. 

To access this dive site it will be necessary to charter a boat, or bring yours. You would need to basically get to Port Hardy. From there you have several options in terms of boats, and resorts that can arrange diving at this site.

Browning Wall is also known as Browning Passage.

Browning Wall

Divers enter the water ONLY at slack tide. Specific warning from divemaster to keep the island on the left, drop to 25-35 feet, and at 12-15 minutes into the dive exist on the lee side of the island. Failure to do so and there is no chance to fight current and beginning whirlpools which will sweep you deep into the boat channel. The reason to dive is to view large collection of gooseneck barnacles.  

Dive must only be done with a dive operator familiar with the site. This is the world's fastest tidal exchange at 22 knots. There is only a 20 minute time line underwater at slack tide. 

Nakwakto Rapids is also known as Tremble Rock.

Nakwakto Rapids

The HMCS Columbia was a destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces from 1959-1974. She was removed from reserve status in 1988 and sunk as an artificial reef off Maud Island in British Columbia in 1996.

 This is a good first time deep or wreck dive as the stern is shallow (70 - 80 feet or so dependant on tide) and the bow is 115 ft down to the muck. There are 3 bouys to tie up to and they are kept in good repair throughout the year. 
 There is lots of life on this wreck, large lingcod, octopus (look in the vent stacks near the open bridge)greenlings, rock cod, sea pens, anenomes of all sizes....... the list goes on. 
 Great for a night dive as it's in a sheltered area and if the visibility is good; the ship appearing out of the dark is a fantastic sight. 
 For more info on this wreck go to :  http://www.artificialreef.bc.ca/
and check out the video in the gallery. This site also lists other artificial reefs in the Vancouver Island area.

Best access is by boat out of Campbell River. The wreck of the HMCS Columbia is in about 110 feet of water and marked by 3 buoys, one at its stern, which is the North end of the wreck, one amidship and one on the bow. Decend down the Northern buoy line to reach the stern. 

HMCS Columbia is also known as Wreck behind Maud Island.

HMCS Columbia

This sight is best dove at slack tide. But well worth it given the abundance of life, and especially the thousands of Strawberry Anemones that coat many of the rocks and boulders.

This dive site can only be accessed by boat. Use the GPS coordinates based on Google Earth or charter a dive with a local dive boat.

Copper Cliffs

Great drift dive on a wall, lots of fish, use a live catch boat , curents can increase rapidly



Steep Island

Great current, wall dive. Lots of fish, Sea pens, Anemones, Nudibranch, Puget Sound King Crab, Octopus .... the list goes on. You may even be visited by Pacific White sided dolphins, Porpoises (Dall's and Harbour) or Orca's.
Better vis during the fall,winter (100 ft plus) but can be done
in the summer( vis 15 to 25 ft)during the algae bloom. Nothing quite like being at 70 to 80 ft with a wall on one side and the current carrying you along as if you are flying. 

 Be aware that this is in the Campbell River area and the current and or exchange can be drastic in nature. Go with an experienced guide or Dive charter to ensure that you are going in at the proper time. There is the possibility that the currents can take you deeper then anticipated and that's why I recommend AOW experience. There's lots to see above 60 feet but you should have experience with drift,deep, and wall diving. 


Boat dive off of April Point Lodge, Quadra Island. Not for first time divers as you must know when to put in for a dive with current. Go with a reputable Dive charter or knowledgable locals. Should use a depth finder to locate pinnicle off shore from the lodge, go in at 20 feet and follow on out side moving southeast. 

April Point

 Once at dive site and you have brought your gear down to the water you can suite up and enter facing west. There can be a good exchange, so be aware of the tides and currents for the location and time of day. This is a good place for a first time current dive and also there's lots to see. (Kelp, fish of all kinds, swimming scallops, seals, maybe an otter or two if your very lucky !) Depending on time of year the visibility can be either great or terrible, ask the locals or a dive shop for info. This is a good first time current, kelp, shore type dive for the new divers and those who have been away for a bit. It's all good when you go get wet !!

Quathiaski Cove is the commercial hub and point of arrival for the regular ferry service between Campbell River on Vancouver Island and Quadra Island. To get to the site you will have to travel off the ferry to Green rd then follow left until Pidcock rd. Once on Pidcock follow until Anderson (going north) and then left on to Old Ferry Road. Follow till the end and park. There is a bit of a hike to the water but very doable. 

Quathiaski Cove is also known as Q-Cove, Old Ferry landing.

Quathiaski Cove

Eagle Island is also affectionately known by the proprietor of the local dive shop as Ewok Island due to its remarkable likeness (above water) to the forests where the Ewoks from Star Wars live.

This dive site is notorious for having very strong currents. It is precisely this reason that makes it a good drift diving spot.

The underwater biology largely consists of large white sea anemones coupled with a myriad of fish species, various crustaceans and the odd seal.

This site can only be accessed by boat (or floatplane). The only local dive centre; Ocean Planet Adventures Tofino, is a company that will take divers to this site via dive boat.

Eagle Island is also known as Ewok Island.

Eagle Island

A relatively easy dive site.

The biology of this site is quite varied and impressive with seasonal bull kelp growing up to 45 metres long. Giant Pacific Octopus is the main draw card to this site as they are in abundance. Spider Crabs and Dungeness Crabs lurk on the seafloor. An abundance of colourful, diversely shaped nudibranchs and an assortment of fishes and sea anemones also inhabit this site.

Access to this dive site is via boat only. Charters are available from the local dive shop in Tofino; Ocean Planet adventures.

Port McNeill

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Port McNeill