Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

One of the world’s best cold-water diving destinations offers clear waters, excellent weather conditions, coastlines spanning many miles, and large aquatic species. Read on to get a glimpse of Vancouver Island’s underwater paradise.

Geography of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Situated off the southwestern coast of the Canadian province of British Columbia, Vancouver Island is the Pacific Coast’s largest island at 12,079 m2 (31,285 km2). The Georgia, Johnstone, and Queen Charlotte Straits separate this island from mainland Canada, while the Juan de Fuca Strait separates Vancouver from the United States. You’ll also find the Pacific Ocean on the island’s western side.

Queen Charlotte Strait

Vancouver Island’s northern tip is home to the Queen Charlotte Strait, a place that partially makes up the Inside Passage area. Orca whales travel within the strait, especially in summer, hence its reputation as the world’s best orca watching site.

But orcas aren’t the only sea creatures that can be found here: The waters connecting the Queen Charlotte Strait with the Johnstone Waters are the playground of humpback and minke whales, as well as harbor seals and Steller’s sea lions.

Browning Passage

The Browning Passage (or Browning Pass) promises divers an unforgettable temperate diving experience. An enriched broth of plankton from seasonal upwellings supporting a rich variety of exotic sea creatures. Keep your eyes peeled for colorful invertebrates, huge Puget king crabs, octopus, wolf eels, sea lions, and more when you dive in Browning Pass.

Hunt Rock

Located off Nigei Island’s east shore, Hunt Rock is a submerged pinnacle with bobbing kelp heads attached to the reef. You’ll also see very stiff kelp in a dense thicket, where a variety of marine species take up residence. Some of these creatures include pink, orange, and lavender brooding anemones. Hunt Rock also supports various fish species and wolf eels within its rich, clear waters.

Gulf Islands

These islands on the Strait of Georgia have protected waters. Despite their protected status, tourists are allowed to go swimming, fishing, and scuba diving. An ecological paradise awaits you at the area’s National Park Reserve; it covers 15 islands, little islets, and reef areas. Many fascinating sea creatures await intrepid divers as well.

Porlier Pass

Deemed one of the best diving destinations in the Gulf Islands, Porlier Pass has tidal currents that provide plenty of food for the area’s sessile species. Some notable dive sites lie within this passage, including Boscowitz Rock and the Point Grey shipwreck.

Boscowitz boasts a reef that’s rich in marine life. It’s got dahlia, plumose, and brooding anemone carpets; basket stars; blue-clawed lithode crabs; and encrusting hydrocorals in sprawling violet patches. Meanwhile, Point Grey lets underwater photographers shoot superb wide-angle shots.

Dodd Narrows

Dodd Narrows is another excellent dive site in the Gulf Islands and has one of the best high current dives among Vancouver Island dive sites. This amazing site houses lots of marine creatures, including sea anemones, aggregating anemones, sea stars, Puget Sound king crabs, and more. You can even spot California and Steller’s sea lions eating salmon if you dive in the winter.

Victoria

Victoria’s waters give visitors some of the most breathtaking dives, regardless of skill level or entry method. Simply put, this area caters to all levels of divers. The northwest Pacific Ocean’s nutrient-rich waters ensure a great range of marine life. These species vary from vibrant soft corals to massive, curious sea lions. And just like the Queen Charlotte Strait, Victoria enjoys frequent orca pod sightings all summer and in early autumn.

West Race Rocks

Canada’s first-ever marine protected area offers powerful currents and incredible aquatic life. Shallow bull kelp forests are dominant at the surface. These forests house juvenile rockfishes and numerous grazing sea urchins. You’ll also see vibrant underwater cliffs covered by barnacle carpets, pastel brooding anemones, lavender hydrocorals, pink soft corals, and basket stars at lower depths.

Howe Sound

Situated on Vancouver Island’s northwestern side, Howe Sound is a network of fjords with a triangular shape. The area gives you different types of underwater terrain and lots of captivating sights. Local divers in drysuits plunge into Howe Sound’s cold waters all year long due to its high walls, rugged pinnacles, ledges, vibrant invertebrates, and interesting mammals.

Whytecliff Park

If you’re planning to do a shore dive in Vancouver, you’ll definitely need to go to this diving destination on Horseshoe Bay’s south side. You can start your Whytecliff Park diving adventure from the area’s right or left side, or from a smaller bay.

Swimming to the park’s main dive site will take you five minutes across the surface (a rocky ridge divides the area). As you go further across this part, you’ll see a lot of fascinating sights. Intriguing rock formations, remnants of an old marina, and different marine creatures are the main highlights around the ridge and the offshore boat marker.

Once you go past the ridge, you’ll reach a sloping reef that’s west of the area. This reef turns into an almost vertical wall dive when you go north. It features deep and shallow dives with many different species, including sponges, clusters of fish families, nudibranchs, and rockfishes. Seals also come to the reef and join in dives from time to time. You can even spot dogfishes (in summer) and orcas in the bay.

The Annapolis

Located near mainland Vancouver, Howe Sound’s newest attraction offers an amazing diving experience. The HMCS Annapolis provides all types of divers with interesting sights and challenges. Visitors have seen nearly 80 marine creatures in this wreck ever since it descended in 2015. Tubeworms, sea stars, anemones, mussels, and more species have been spotted in this wreck.

Marine Life

Home to nearly 7,000 marine species, the waters of British Columbia are a veritable paradise for underwater explorers. See if you can spot these marvels:
  • Wolf Eels - While it has the word “eel” in its name, the wolf eel is actually a long, skinny fish. This fish species has brick-red, orange, and purple hues that fade to gray and brown as it matures. Wolf eels have a thick coating of slime on their skin for protection against the elements. They’re gentle, slow, and very friendly with divers, too.
  • Orca Whales - Orcas (or killer whales) are the largest dolphin species. They can weigh up to 5,443 kilos and grow to 23 to 33 feet. These dolphins have a long dorsal fin and black and white colors, so you can easily recognize them. Orcas also boast huge teeth, which they use to hunt their prey.
  • Steller’s Sea Lions - The largest sea lions in existence, Steller’s sea lions can reach between nine to 11 feet in length. Males can weigh nearly 2,500 pounds (1,120 kilos), while females can weigh up to 1,000 pounds (350 kilos). These big pinnipeds consume various fish and invertebrate species, as well as their fellow pinnipeds.

Other Attractions

  • Butchart Garden - Love plants or are looking for a picturesque spot? Head on over to this peaceful garden with its flowers, trees, and other natural attractions. If you’re going here at night, you’ll see creative lights illuminating the garden. Butchart Garden also offers plenty of activities all year round, from firework displays on Saturdays to Christmas celebrations during the holidays.
  • Tofino - This quiet town has so much to offer water enthusiasts. Tofino sees visits from surfers who want to ride its waves yearly and tourists who do storm-watching in winter. It even has nearby lodges and resorts that offer excellent ocean views.
  • Mount Washington Ski Alpine Resort - Vancouver’s most popular family ski resort has lots of activities you can try all year long. Winter gives you a variety of ski runs and a terrain park, while summer lets you hike via the Scenic Chairlift Ride or on on-ground trails.

How to Get There

If you’re planning a trip to Vancouver Island, you can choose to travel there by air, sea, or land. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get to the area.
By Air
A few airlines offer direct flights to the island, which land at the following airports and areas:
  • Nanaimo Airport
  • Victoria International Airport
  • Campbell River
  • Port Hardy
  • Courtenay
  • Comox Valley
You can fly to Vancouver Island with any of the airlines listed below:
  • WestJet
  • Air Canada
  • Alaska Airlines
  • Central Mountain Air
  • United Airlines
  • Pacific Coastal Airlines
  • Orca Airlines
  • Island Express Air
Visitors to Canada and Vancouver Island will need valid passports and visas to enter these areas. As for underage US citizens, they must present their birth certificates (original or duplicate) or other proof of citizenship upon arrival.

By Sea
If you’re traveling by sea, a few cruise operators offer trips to Vancouver Island.
The British Columbia Ferry Service (BC Ferries) is the major cruise operator for Vancouver Island trips. Travel options include:
  • Ferry services from Vancouver to Nanaimo and Victoria
  • Trips between Comox and Powell River
  • Trips between Port Hardy and Port Rupert
  • Seasonal trips between Port Hardy and Bella Coola
American cruise lines also travel to Vancouver Island from key destinations in the United States. One such ferry is the MV Coho from the Black Ball Ferry Line. This ship carries passengers and vehicles to Vancouver Island from Port Angeles in Washington State.

Getting Around
Riding a bike or car is the best way to travel around Vancouver Island. If you’re a biker who’s staying in Victoria, we’ve got good news: there are more cycle routes in the city than in any other city in Canada. Reaching most remote towns and wineries by bike is possible, too.

You can also explore Vancouver Island by car—an option that will enable you to reach more remote destinations. Car rental services are available at local airports and agencies. Taking buses is another option and allows you to reach remote locations on Vancouver’s west and north coasts.

Best Time to Visit

The winter months (mid-November to February) are perfect for scuba diving in Vancouver Island, as you’ll get the best visibility within that period. Vancouver’s water temperature falls between 43 to 52 degrees, so expect cool water once you jump in. Diving in Vancouver Island during the winter will also require you to wear a drysuit for extra warmth.

Required Trainings & Certifications

Whether you’re a budding or seasoned diver, Vancouver Island has sites ideal for your current skill level. Many dive shops around the island offer a variety of training programs and certifications catering to newbie and veteran divers. You can get Open Water certified or take other diving courses on the island.

Miscellaneous Information

Currency
Establishments on Vancouver Island accept Canadian dollars. Canada also accepts US dollars at its current exchange rate, though exchanging your money at financial institutions, banks, or foreign exchange outlets is always a good idea.

The country accepts most US credit cards, and Visa, American Express, and Mastercard are honored at many establishments. Taking traveler’s checks and a little Canadian cash with you on your trip is encouraged.

Languages
English and French are Canada’s official languages, and most BC natives speak English as their first language. A few residents can speak indigenous languages as well.

Time Zone
Vancouver Island observes the Pacific Time Zone with an offset of GMT -8 hours.

Driving Side
If you’re driving on the island (or in any part of British Columbia), be prepared to do right-side driving. You can drive in BC for up to six months with a valid driver’s license. Also, keep in mind that Canadian law prohibits cellphone or electronic device use while you’re driving.

Calling Code
British Columbia uses the following telephone area codes:
  • 604 and 778 for the Greater Vancouver area
  • 604 for the urbanized area in Greater Vancouver’s northern side to Whistler
  • 250 for other areas within British Columbia


ISO 3166 code
CA-BC is British Columbia’s ISO 3166 code.

Internet TLD
.ca is Canada’s top-level Internet domain.