Vancouver
The bustling, fun city of Vancouver, located between mountains and ocean, make it a perfect place to admire awe-inspiring landscapes.
Explore British Columbia
Diving in British Columbia offers an exhilarating experience in the vibrant and nutrient-rich waters of Canada's Pacific coast. The cold waters here, around 7°C–13°C/45°F–55°F, are teeming with life, making it a haven for marine enthusiasts. This region is famed for its encounters with majestic creatures like the giant Pacific octopus, massive squid, and large jellyfish. The underwater landscapes are equally stunning, featuring a mix of colorful reefs, dramatic walls, and intriguing shipwrecks. British Columbia's diverse dive environments cater to various diving preferences, from the accessible shore dives around Victoria and the Sunshine Coast to more challenging boat and liveaboard options that offer the chance to explore deeper sites and the renowned BC Wreck Trek. The seasonal plankton blooms in spring, although reducing visibility, draw in large marine animals, providing a dynamic and rewarding diving experience. Renowned ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau named British Columbia as one of the best temperate water diving spots globally, second only to the Red Sea. This endorsement speaks volumes about the unique and captivating underwater world that awaits divers in this spectacular region.
Places to explore
Dive Activity
Diving in British Columbia
British Columbia offers diverse diving experiences, making it a hotspot for dive enthusiasts. The wreck of the HMCS Annapolis near Gambier Island is a must-visit, offering an artificial reef teeming with marine life. Another notable site is the wreck of the SS Capilano, providing an intriguing dive into history.
Popular shore dives include Whytecliff Park, known for its rich marine biodiversity and accessibility. Unique experiences like night dives reveal the bioluminescent wonders of the sea, while liveaboard options offer expeditions to more remote sites, balancing accessibility with adventure.
Top Wildlife Sightings in British Columbia
British Columbia's coastal waters are rich with diverse marine life, attracting divers from around the world. Among its vibrant reefs, you'll often find colorful species such as rockfish, lingcod, and the bright orange plumose anemones. Nudibranchs, small sea slugs, also add a splash of color to the underwater scenery.
During certain times of the year, divers might also encounter larger marine creatures. Summer months may bring sightings of sixgill sharks in deeper waters. Meanwhile, the migration of Pacific white-sided dolphins often occurs in spring and fall, offering a spectacular view. Sea turtles are rare but can occasionally be spotted, primarily around the warmer southern waters. These encounters depend on the season and specific dive locations, making each dive in British Columbia a unique experience.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 7
iStock-Michael Zeigler
Sea Lion
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
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Total number of species: 3000
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Nudibranch
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 120
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Cuttlefish
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The best Months to dive in British Columbia
Diving in British Columbia is possible year-round, thanks to its diverse marine life and coastal landscapes. Water temperatures vary seasonally, ranging from 7°C–10°C/45°F–50°F in winter to 11°C–14°C/52°F–57°F in summer. Visibility generally ranges from 5 to 15 meters/16 to 49 feet, though it can be influenced by plankton blooms, particularly in spring and early summer, which may reduce clarity.
Weather conditions such as wind and currents also play a role in diving conditions. Winter months can bring stronger winds and rougher seas, which might limit diving opportunities. However, sheltered sites in the region offer more stable conditions regardless of the season. The best visibility and calmer seas are often found in late summer to early fall, making it an ideal period for divers seeking optimal conditions.
