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

Beechey Head is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Beechey Head

Albert Head Lagoon is another wonderful no-current dive for searching out crabs and skates.  This site is really off the beaten path, so bring everything you need for a comfortable day.

From  Victoria Harbor, take the Trans-Canada Highway (1) to the North.  In 9km go South on Highway 14 (Old Island Highway).  In 4.5km turn left on Metchosin Road and travel for 3.6km until you reach Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park.

Albert Head Lagoon

Salt Creek Recreation Area is located on the wild, Northern shore of the Olympic Peninsula.  This wonderful park of 196 acres and 90 campsites houses many fortified bunkers from a World War II defense site.  Underwater is just as fascinating: wolf eels, telia anemones, sculpin, sea cucumbers, sponges, and urchins, to name a few of the wildlife.  The sites located along this shore are considered by many to be the best diving in Washington.

Salt Creek County Park is located 11 miles West of Port Angeles.  Traveling West from Port Angeles on 101, bear right in about 5 miles onto 112.  Six miles further, turn right as shown below.

Salt Creek is also known as Salt Creek Recreation Area.

Salt Creek

For an easy dive, without the hazards of rocks, kelp and strong current, Esquinalt Lagoon offers the chance to see the bottom dwellers you'd expect on a sandy stretch of coast.  There are no facilities in the immediate area, so bring water and warmth!

From  Victoria Harbor, take the Trans-Canada Highway (1) to the North.  In 9km go South on Highway 14 (Old Island Highway).  In 1.8km turn left on Ocean Blvd and travel for 1km until you reach the bridge below.

Esquinalt Lagoon

Esquimalt Lagoon is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Esquimalt Lagoon

This is a shallow dive site, with lots of parking. To enter the water follow the trail to the north west of the parking lot down to the beach. The wall starts almost at the surface and can be followed both to the left and right once you are in the water.

This dive site is located within Saxe Point Park at the end of Fraser Street within the city of Esquimalt. Which is located just west of Victoria, British Columbia.

Saxe Point is also known as Saxe Point Park.

Saxe Point





Brotchie Ledge Wreck is also known as San Pedro.

Brotchie Ledge Wreck

The Ogden Point Breakwater is an 800-metre long breakwater constructed of stacked granite blocks and concrete. Although the breakwater is a marine sanctuary, line fishing is allowed; be alert for fishing gear on the bottom and overzealous boaters. 

There are five dive flags painted near the top of the west side of the breakwater, with corresponding bronze plaques at the bottom stone of the breakwater directly in line with each flag. The plaques provide a description of the marine life in the area, and the compass bearing to the next plaque. 

Entry is from the beach, breakwater or dive boat. Caution must be exercised when entering from the breakwater due to the barnacles and concrete blocks obscured by bull kelp. 

Beach to Flag 1: Mixed cobble and sand bottom, shallowing slowly to 8 metres. 
Flag 1: 8 metres depth, sand bottom. 
Flag 2: 8 - 17 metres depth, sand bottom. 
Flag 3: 17 - 20 metres depth, sand bottom. 
Flag 4: 22 - 25 metres depth, sand bottom, rubble below 9 metres. 
Flag 5: 28 - 35 metres depth, mud, sand bottom, tumbled granite blocks. 
The marine life in this area is abundant and varied. Expect to see the following: Sleeping Canary, Tiger, Black, Yellowtail, Puget Sound and Quillback Rockfish, Octopus, Harbour Seals, Dogfish, Rat Fish, Wolf Eels, Black Eye Gobys greenling, lingcod, Perch, Flounder, Kelp Greenling, Grunt Sculpins, Decorated Warbonnets, Mosshead Warbonnets, Burrowing Sea Cucumbers, Chitons, Hairy Lithoide Crabs, Brittle Stars, Metrudium and Plumose Anemones, Abalone, Crab, Puget Sound King Crab , Swimming Scallops, Ghost Shrimp, and Nudibranchs.

There is a dive shop, the <a href="http://www.divevictoria.com">Odgen Point Dive Shop</a>, located at the end of the breakwater where you can conveniently get air and rental gear.  

Odgen Point Breakwater is located at 199 Dallas Rd, Victoria, BC.  It is right next to the Helijet airport and the docks where the cruise ships dock.  There is a parking lot with paid parking right by the dive shop, with a few stairs to get to the breakwater itself, or follow the path around to the beach. 

Your entry and exit points can be anywhere along the breakwater, from a minute's walk to a half hour hike from the end.

Ogden Point Breakwater

Ogden Breakwater is a marine preserve with features created just for divers.  A very easy entry marks the start of a diving 'scavenger hunt' for the sunken plaques that line the break water.  Each plaque contains information about the area and marine life you'll encounter.

From the inner harbor of Victoria, drive South 1.5km to the end of Government Road, and turn right on Dallas for 1km.

Ogden Breakwater

Clover Point is a no-frills park used by most to contemplate the coastline and sea beyond.  But what make this area worthwhile for the diver is the point and the surrounding marine life.  Kelp and creatures will keep you company on this dive.

From the inner harbor of Victoria, drive South 1.5km to the end of Government Road, and turn left on Dallas for 1.9km.

Clover Point

McNeill Point is an exciting spot to explore, but only during ideal conditions.  The tidal currents through here could ruin your whole day if you're not careful.  Check with a local dive shop about seasonal and hourly conditions at this site!

Located 0.4km West of the Victoria Golf Course on Beach Road.

Beechey Head

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Beechey Head