Canada is surrounded by three oceans and speckled with thousands of lakes and rivers. With so many places to dive in, it can be hard to know where to begin. Below is a short list of the best places to dive in Canada. Visit this page for a more extensive list of top dive sites in Canada.
Atlantic Canada
Explore diving in Eastern Canada, where cold, nutrient-rich waters create biologically diverse underwater habitats. From colorful wrecks and icebergs to accessible coastal sites, Atlantic Canada offers adventure for all skill levels.
Bell Island, Newfoundland
There are numerous wrecks around Bell Island, but the PLM-27 and SS Saganaga are the most accessible. Both dives start at about 18 meters/60 feet. The 137 meter/450 foot SS Lord Strathcona is the largest and warrants two dives. All the wrecks are covered in life and surprisingly colorful.
Conception Bay, Newfoundland
From May through June, you can dive under ancient icebergs in Conception Bay, Newfoundland. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
Paddy’s Head
Paddy’s Head is located in St Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia, about 40 min drive from central Halifax. It’s a relatively shallow site suitable for all levels with an average depth of 6 meters/20 feet and a max depth of 18 meters/60 feet. Expect to see hermit crabs, lobsters, torpedo rays and plenty of fish.
British Columbia
British Columbia (BC) consistently ranks among the top cold-water dive destinations in the world, and for good reason. The reefs are covered in colorful life, and BC is home to several bucket list animals. Visibility is reliably 21-30 meters/70-100 feet between October and April, and water temperatures are generally 7-13°C/45-55°F year round.
Some of British Columbia’s best diving is in the inside passage — a waterway that stretches from southeast Alaska, past Vancouver Island and into Washington state. Whether you’re into wrecks, interesting marine life or fun photo ops, there’s something for every diver in “Super, Natural British Columbia.”
Love road trips? Load up your gear and take the stunning Sea-to-Sky Highway to explore Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast. Be sure to stop and see the famous Powell River mermaid in Mermaid Cove.
Top dive sites around Vancouver Island include:
- God’s Pocket and Browning Pass – Jacques Cousteau named God’s Pocket Marine Park one of the best cold water diving destinations in the world. Expect to see cloud sponges, colorful anemones, giant Pacific octopuses, wolf eels and maybe even a six-gill shark. Browning Wall is one of many notable dive sites in the area.
- Norris Rocks, Hornby Island – Steller sea lions are a seasonal attraction. These extremely friendly marine mammals will swim right up to your camera and maybe have a nibble on your fins. Contact a local PADI Dive Shop to plan your visit.
- Barkley Sound – If you’re simply looking for a relaxed, beautiful dive, Barkley Sound has kelp forests and sheltered reefs loaded with interesting marine life.
- Nanaimo and nearby Chemainus, BC have two interesting artificial reefs. The HMCS Cape Breton and a decommissioned Air Canada 737.
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
While the Prairie Provinces don’t offer the same diving opportunities as their coastal cousins, there’s an underwater ghost town in Lake Minnewanka, Alberta that’s worth a visit. As an added bonus, the dive is in breathtaking Banff National Park.
If you’re interested in diving central Canada, here are a few resources we recommend:
Ontario
Off the shores of Tobermory, Ontario in Fathom Five National Marine Park, you’ll find numerous wrecks, interesting geological formations, clear water and excellent photo opportunities. There’s something for divers of all levels (and even snorkelers) at Fathom Five.
There’s a lot to explore, but experienced divers should prioritize:
- The Niagara II, a 55-meter/182-foot purpose-sunk wreck (see if you can spot the smashed up piano)
- The remarkably well-preserved Arabia, a three-masted wooden barque that sank in October 1884.
For more, check out this article about The Wrecks of Tobermory from our friends at Scuba DivingTM magazine.
St. Lawrence River
The St. Lawrence River has many excellent diving areas, but two of the best areas are Brockville, ON and Thousand Islands National Park. These locations are generally diveable year-round, but the water is exceptionally warm August through October. The water temperature at the surface can reach 20-24°C/68-75°F.
Both areas have wreck dives and drift dives. Underwater photographers should check out Brockville’s underwater sculpture park.
Canada’s Best Dive Sites, Chosen by Local Experts
There’s a lot more to explore. Visit PADI.com for a more thorough list of the best dive sites in Canada — compiled by local PADI Dive Shops.
