Fall and winter are ideal times to dive the depths off of BC's coast as the temperate waters provide marvellous visibility (winter visibility of up to 100' / 30 metres). Leave Vancouver and travel to HorseshoeBay in West Vancouver, where you'll catch one of BC Ferries' frequent sailings to Nanaimo, the "hub" city of Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island is internationally recognized as a premiere diving destination. The Jacques Cousteau Society has rated the surrounding waters second only to the Red Sea for clarity and diversity of marine life. Moreover, British Columbia took first place for the Best Dive Destination, Best Wall Diving, Best Macro Live, Healthiest Marine Environment, Best Advanced Diving, and Best Destination Value in North America in the 2002 Readers’ Choice Awards in Rodale’s Scuba Diving magazine. Even more astounding is that BC has been awarded these titles 3 years in a row! Local operators offer boat charters, lodges, and live-aboard dive vessels, as well as equipment rentals and lessons. Overnight:Nanaimo
Today board a BC Ferry from Courtenay/Comox bound for PowellRiver on the SunshineCoast. PowellRiver, a year-round sea-to-mountain recreation area, is also known as the "the Dive Capital of Canada." The local underwater world is filled with natural wrecks and wild and exotic creatures such as giant pacific octopus, wolf eel, cloud sponge, swimming scallops, walls and colours that rival that of the Caribbean. While you are diving Powell River, don't forget to visit the beautiful Emerald Princess - the 9' bronze sculpture anchored in 60' of water off the shore at Saltery Bay Provincial Park. Without a doubt the most popular local diving attraction, this stunning sculpture was created by Simon Morris in 1989 and has attracted visitors from all over the world as well as remaining a favourite shore dive for local divers. Overnight:PowellRiver
Day4.
Powell River to Vancouver
Get an early start to your day and from PowellRiver, explore other SunshineCoast communities. With their rich culture and heritage, you will be tempted to return and enjoy the many activities and attractions found above the tides. Still, this getaway is all about watery wonders and ocean delights so visit the playful seals and explore the rocky crevasses which provide homes for shy octopi and wolf eel.
We hope that we have provided a tempting "teaser" to experience the extraordinary diving in and around BC's coastal communities. There are a multitude of access points to dive sites available from numerous communities along the east coast of Vancouver Island, from Victoria all the way to Port Hardy and throughout the northern and southern GulfIslands. In the Pacific Rim region, access to Barkley Sound and the shipwrecks of the Graveyard of the Pacific is available from Port Alberni, Ucluelet, Bamfield, and Tofino. The open ocean and famed sheltered inlets of Nootka and Kyoquot Sounds are accessible on board the MV Uchuck III from GoldRiver and Tahsis. With so many opportunities for spectacular diving we're sure you will be back for more diving adventures!
