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

Vancouver Island and environs are internationally recognized as a premiere diving destination. The Jacques Cousteau Society has rated the water surrounding Vancouver Island second only to the Red Sea for clarity and diversity of marine life. In the winter, peak season for diving around the Island(s), the temperate waters provide incredible visibility. Access to the dive sites is available from numerous communities along the East coast of Vancouver Island, from Victoria all the way North to Port Hardy.

Vancouver Island

Canada

Dive off the end of the dock (left side) and swim out to the marker buoy. Descend down the line vis may be bad on the surface but around 20ft it will clear up. Swim along the bottom on a heading of about 90* and you should co to a reef with a sunken speed boat on the side to it swim a little further and the wreck will appear out of the dark (it looks rather eerie). No one knows the name or who owned it. I start by swimming along the side then at the end I swim through the middle with the wreckage coming out of the bottom all around me. There are big schools of fish that may follow you around , plume enimnies , nudeabranks, crabs and other such life. It is a large wreck (165ft long) so it may take two dives to see the whole thing but I have been 6 times I still love going there. When you pay ask which buoy to go to as there are a few and they change places a lot. There is no current to speak of even on large tidal exchanges. Even during not so good weather when you can not dive anywhere else you can dive here! Have fun! - Geoff
 
Additional Information from Bryan Heit:
 
1) The ship is a train barge which sunk in the 1950's (not 100 years ago 
as listed). The barge struck a reef just outside the harbor and limped 
in - only to sink about 100' away from the dock! No one knows who the 
owner was, nor the name of the ship.
 
2) The buoy which you dive to is the faded pick spherical buoy, located 
at about a 45 degree angle to the right of the dock when standing in the 
parking lot. This has been the same buoy for several years.
 
3) At the bottom of the buoy is half of a speed boat. According to the 
owner of the marina this boat sunk in 2001 when he was towing it - the 
owner hadn't paid their dockage fees. A great picture opportunity is to 
get a photo of someone "driving" the boat.
 
4) The barge itself is in poor condition, and penetration should not be 
attempted. Large sections of the wreak have collapsed in, making any 
penetration dangerous. But there's a lot to see on the outside, 
including ling cod, grenlings and purch.
 
5) As mentioned the marina owner is really nice, and will fill tanks for 
$5, including parking.
 
6) Another (free) entry option:
Take highway 17 towards the ferry terminal, to Wain Rd. Take Wain west 
until it ends, turn right (north) onto the road at the end of wain 
(mardrona drive). Follow this 3-4 blocks until you reach Setchel Rd. 
 Turn left, follow the road to it's end, and park in the cul-de-sac. 
 Take the path down to the point, and dive from there. The wreak is to 
the left. If you dive from this spot swim along the bottom to the wreak 
- there used to be an old Chinese colony here and there is a tone of 
debris to see, including a lot of old bottles.
 
7) Dive this dive at the end of high slack. There is too much silt at 
low tide, but if you wait for high slack vis increases dramatically.
 
8) As this is a marina you should fly a dive flag.

from Victoria take the Pat Bay Highway (#18) towards the ferry terminal but just before it take the Wain Rd. exit. Follow Wain Rd. all the way to a four way stop (Madrona Dr.) turn right onto Madrona Dr. then turn right again and look for the Deep Cove Marina their address is 10990 Madrona. Phone # (250) 656-0060. They charge $3 per diver to dive off the end of the dock (secured parking included). They also have an air station there and last time I was there he charged me $5 to fill my tank but waived the $3 dock/parking fee. You can dive off a near by point but it is a long swim and limited parking. It is well worth the $3! - Geoff

Mystery Wreck in Deep Cove