Type:
Shore dive
Location:
Not far from the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver at
the start of the Squamish Highway.
Above Water:
Whytecliff park has reasonable parking (but it still gets full on
summer weekends) a picnic area and concession, washrooms, tennis
courts and some open field space.
Underwater:
Whytecliff is Canada's first "marine protected area" and as such no
removal of anything from beneath the water is allowed. This is also
a VERY popular training site so be prepared for crowds especially
on the weekends. There are two main dives at Whytecliff, one on
each side of the bay. The right side or "cut" is mostly a wall dive
with depths deeper than you can go (Howe Sound, where Whytecliff is
a true fjord so its deep) which shallows and turns to sand as
you enter the bay. There is nice field of Plumose anemones at the cut that hide a all kinds of life. You might find rockfish, dogfish (at night), seals, sponges, perhaps octopus or maybe a grunt sculpin. The second
dive on the left side called the "islet" does not drop quite as
quickly (but still does drop off). Life is similar to the "cut".
Warnings:
Not too many problems here, a easy beach entry unless the tide is
real low. Some current possible at the cut but it is usually
localized. Since this is a new marine sanctuary some areas still have lots of fishing line on the bottom so remember that knife.
Type:
Shore dive
Location:
Not far from the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver at
the start of the Squamish Highway. The other side of the point from
Whytecliff.
Above Water:
Lookout Point is within walking distance of Whytecliff. Very limited
parking (illegally parked cars towed). No change areas. The beach
is very rocky and log covered.
Underwater:
I dive this site by going around to the left side, a rock wall steps
down to ... deep. Lots of Boot sponges, anemones, Lingcod, crabs.
Lots of life on the walls. You may encounter an old cable which if you follow to around 100 feet deep you will find large boulders that hide big things like large lingcod or
octopus. The bottom of the bay is covered with
boulders that hide many small animals.
Warnings:
This is one of the few places in Howe Sound where I ALWAYS check
the tide tables, currents at the point can be very strong and
often vary dramatically with depth. The beach has those rocks that
are just the wrong size and thus it is easy to fall. Also B.C.
Ferries sail by the mouth of the bay generating a big wake. This site also points up Howe Sound towards Squamish which means it can be effected by "Squamish winds" which are strong winds that funnel down Howe Sound.
Type:
Boat dive
Location:
Passage Island is a small but inhabited island in the outer mouth of Howe Sound, the reef is on the west side of the island.
Above Water:
The reef does not show above the surface so you need a echo sounder to locate it.
Underwater:
You could almost call this site a pinnacle depending on tides it's top may be 40 feet deep and drops quickly to depths deeper than you would want to go. The site is exposed and therefore has a good selection of invertebrate life. I've found several species of nudibranch and mollusks here. I've also found seawhips here, these relatives of anemones and seapens can get to 4-5 feet in length and are usually found in deep (100 ft +) water. At Passage Island I have encountered small specimens at 50ft. Another group of animals I've found here are hydroids, there are lots of pink-mouthed hydroids and hedgehog hydroids on the rocks here.
I would think that Passage Island would also be a good spot to find octopus and wolf eels however I have had no luck, of course I've only done a single dive here so I've lots more exploring to do.
Warnings:
Passage Island Reef is an exposed location, wind can be a problem here. Anchoring can be difficult due to the small size of the reef top and of course watch your depth.
Type:
Shore dive
Location:
Caufield Cove is located along the West Vancouver shore past the DFO West Vancouver labs.
Above Water:
There is a dock in Caufield Cove and this is where many people dive from, I however usually start my dive to the east of this where you will find a small parking area and a garbage can. There is a narrow trail to a small cove where I enter the water.
Underwater:
Caufield Cove does not have the best visibility in fact it is usually one of the murkier sites in the Vancouver area. There is however some nice things to be seen here, including lots of small octopus and the occasional large one. I've also had good mollusks luck here with things like swimming scallops and moon snails. The bottom terrain is boulders or rock outcroppings surrounded by sand and silt so because of this I find it a good spot to do a night dive. At night you never know what will come up out of the sand. You are usually sure to sea lots of shrimp here at night and a good selection of sand dwelling fish like plainfin midshipman and snake pricklebacks. On one dive here I had one of my 3 skate sightings so that makes this spot stand out for me.
Warnings:
Poor visibility and odd bottom contours make navigation at this site challenging, be sure to use a compass. If you go the wrong way you could end up out in the Vancouver harbour shipping. Also the entry point is sometimes full of large logs which are floating and can pin a diver.
Type:
Shore dive
Parking at Kelvin Grove is now next to impossible due to restrictions placed there by Lion's Bay Council in response to resident complaints, something to thing about when you visit other dive sites.
Location:
North of West Vancouver on the Squamish Highway to the village
of Lions Bay and turn left on Kelvin Grove Road.
Above Water:
An exclusive residential area that likes its peace and quiet. A
good parking lot so do not park at the end of the road under the no
parking signs. Seasonal washrooms.
Underwater:
Again two dives, go left or go right. If you go right you will be
on sections of wall or sloping sand, again you can get quit deep.
Lots of boot sponges here, some cloud sponges, deep water
decorator crabs, sea pens on the sand, rockfish and maybe an
octopus or wolfeel. To the left is shallower with small walls
broken by rubble fields where rock slides have come down from the
slopes above. I've found several octopus in crevices here, also
usually some interesting nudibranchs, sea pens and anemones. A good spot to find painted greenlings (convict fish).
Warnings:
Nothing major, occasionally some current around the point to the
right and some boat traffic overhead. Basically don't annoy the
locals and don't get you car towed.
Type:
Shore dive
Location:
If you continue north on the Squamish Highway from Kelvin Grove you
will come to Porteau Cove Provincial Park.
Above Water:
This is a provincial park so there are camp sites, showers and
washrooms, lots of parking, a boat launch, picnic tables and a
seasonal outside gear rinse.
Underwater:
Lots of "stuff" has been sunk at Porteau. The biggest thing is the
100 or so foot ex minesweeper "Nakaya" in 60 to 100 feet of water.
Its a bit of a snorkel or you can climb over rocks to shorten the
snorkel. Lots of small tube worms, some rockfish and lingcod. In shallower depths
there is a wealth of stuff to explore including tire reefs, concrete
reefs, an old tug hull (the "Granthall"), a small work barge and a ferro-cement sailboat hull. All in less than 60 feet. There are now
lots of lingcod and other fish and I have had good luck finding
octopus here. I should also say that most major underwater attractions are marked with
buoys or floats so finding them is not hard.
Warnings:
Not many, stay inside the dive area or you will be exposed to boat
traffic (its marked with buoys). Occasionally there is a surface current.
Just a note about diving the Nakaya, in the eighties there was a death on the wreck and since then a permanent penetration line was installed and an addition exit cut in the hull. Now however the wreck is starting to deteriorate badly, much of the after deck has collapsed and I would not advise penetrating the wreck at least not the lower decks.
Type:
Shore dive
Location:
Near Belcarra park on the shores of Indian Arm.
Above Water:
This site is located in a quiet residential area but the is the park close by for washrooms and relaxing.
Underwater:
There are two dives here snorkel out of the narrow bay and go right or left. To the left is a wall that gradually gets deeper as you continue along, there is also a small island that you can dive around. You are likely to see lots of crabs and shrimp, small sculpins. I've seen octopus, and often find cockerel's dorids there (which are one of my favourites). If you go to the right there is a similar wall but also an offshore reef with large boulders. Often lingcod, perch, plumose anemones and various flatfish.
Warnings:
The cove is VERY narrow watch out for boats in the area, there are many private docks in the cove. a free permit is required for night dives here, a sign at the site tells you how to get one.
Type:
Boat SCUBA dive. For advanced or intermediate divers.
Location:
This reef is located 200 meters off the eastern shore of Indian Arm and
about 1 kilometer south of Croker Island. To find the reef will require
a nautical chart of Indian Arm and either a depth sounder or a compass,
good navigation and a bit of free diving.
Underwater:
The reef is a rocky outcropping that rises to 40 fsw and drops steeply
beyond sport diver depths on all sides. Large (1-2 meter) orange cloud
sponges have been seen below 90 fsw.
Warnings:
The main hazard is being stung by a large cyanea after the spring plankton
bloom. The top of the reef is too deep for a safety stop which is best
conducted on the anchor line.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
Type:
Boat SCUBA dive. For advanced or intermediate divers.
Location:
Best point is located on the west side of Indian Arm about half way up.
Underwater:
A sand shelf projects of shore from Best Point and then drops steeply into
Indian Arm. A mild current flows across the point creating good conditions
for fish. A red snapper was seen here in shallow water.
Warnings:
Watch out for power boats speeding up Indian Arm who commonly pass close to
shore at Best Point. Also a current flows across the reef.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
Type:
Shore/Boat free dive. For people who like a little swim.
Location:
Indian Arm is the large body of water running north from Vancouver
Harbour. Despite popular opinion visibility in Indian Arm can be
up to 80 feet during the summer. The trick is to dive north of Woodlands
after the spring plankton bloom has ended.
This dive involves a round trip between Woodlands and Camp Jubilee. To reach Woodlands take the Indian Arm road north from the base of Mount Seymour. Follow the recently paved road to the end and park. Walk out onto the government wharf at Woodlands and take the water taxi to Camp Jubilee. Swim back.
Underwater:
The best free diving is between Camp Jubilee and Brighton Beach. In many
places there is a small shelf at 40 fsw and then the bottom drops steeply
to beyond free diving depths. Below the shelf there are small caves formed
by vertical outcroppings in the rocks. A light is handy for these.
Warnings:
Boat traffic can be heavy in the summer time as can the large cyanea
who lurk for divers in the dirty water above the thermocline. It's best
to work up to this dive as it involves some 4 hours of continuous swimming.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
Type:
Shore free dive. Intermediate dive.
Location:
Sasamat Lake is the beautiful clear lake located along Bedwell Bay Road.
Take Bedwell Bay Road from Ioco. Turn off at White Pine Beach and park. Another approach is to park at the south east corner of the lake and swim from the floating bridge ( about 1.5 km ). This avoids the crowds at White Pine Beach.
Underwater:
Enter the water at White Pine Beach and swim along the north shore of the
lake. About 200 meters along the shore you will encounter a complex of
submerged logs. There is an amazingly large school of 3 spine sticklebacks
here late in the summer. Careful inspections will also find sculpins,
crayfish and small fresh water sponge. Other spots on the lake may reveal
the odd nudist. In August wetsuits are optional but recommended.
Warnings:
The main danger is small children who insist that you fetch them starfish,
octopus, sharks and other memorabilia from the lake.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
Type:
Boat SCUBA dive or shore free dive. For intermediate divers.
Location:
The west side wrecks are located where the shore turns east 1/2 Km north
of the water ski club.
SCUBA divers will have to travel by boat to the west shore of Bedwell Bay. Free divers can swim the 1 km from the east shore or hike in from the end of Belcarra Bay road.
Underwater:
There are 2 wrecks. The first is a small upside down hull lying in about
30 fsw close to shore. The second is larger and in about 60 fsw and 50 m
south of the first. A large barge use to lie in about 90 fsw at the bottom
of the cliff immediately north of the water ski club. However I believe
this barge was salvaged back in the 80's.
Warnings:
Because of the proximity to the water ski club there can be a large number
of high speed motor boats in the area. Use a dive flag and ascend close to
shore. Winter is probably the best time to visit these wrecks, when the
water skiers have all migrated to Whistler.
Review by Barrie Kovish bmk@dsi.bc.ca
Type:
Shore dive
Location:
On the east side of Bedwell Bay on Kelly Road
Underwater:
This is said to be the wreck of a WW II minesweeper the "Cranbrook" scuttled intentionally in 1948, it seems possible I don't know for sure. The bottom is pretty boring until you find the wreck. The wreck is very decayed and can not be penetrated, only exposed ribs remain is some spots. The last dive I did here stands out for two things: crabs and nudibranchs. There were lots of alabaster and golden dironas, we also saw several dendronotus rufus, a nudibranch I think of as quite rare, along with opalescent and lemon nudibranchs. the wreck also supports a big population of large
Dungeness and red rock crabs.
Warnings:
Boats, watch out for water-skiers. also there is a lot of private property around, stay off it, including the docks.