Each island posted on this Gulf Islands tourism website provides a list of scuba diving parks and dive destinations. Each scuba diving park listed includes a detailed description of the park, the marine services available and in most cases pictures.

The Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island are all very popular diving destinations. The region is best known for its diving shipwrecks, marine life and for the clarity of the ocean water. The west coast of British Columbia is recognized as a top diving destination in the world!

There are artificial reefs (shipwrecks), colorful corals, underwater caves, remote islands, private coves, secluded bays and loads of marine life. The Giant Pacific Octopus, Orca Whale and the Six Gilled Shark are a few of the wildlife attractions living off the west coast receiving allot of attention.

Some of the dive sites located throughout the islands include "Snake Island", "The GB Church", "Norris Rocks", "The McKenzie", "Arachnie Reef", "Boscowitz Rock", "Forest island", "Grahams Wall", "Tilly Caves" and "Flora Island". Flora Island is a TOP 10 dive site in British Columbia and home to Six Gill Sharks. Norris Rocks off of Hornby Island provides an opportunity to dive with sea lions in the winter. There is so much more.

Scuba diving tours and guides operate from many of the Gulf Islands. Diving with tours has many pluses including knowledge of the area and experience. Tours provide transportation to the dive sites, equipment and a guide. Some provide meals and accommodations. Experienced divers make sure to bring your full body dive suit. Always dive in groups, never alone.

Gulf Island scuba diving destinations also provide an opportunity for fishing, beachcombing, wilderness camping and birdwatching. Here are a few notable Gulf Island parks for diving.

North Gulf Islands

• Broughton Archipelago Marine Route is a marine destinations with a very large group of islands popular for multi day scuba diving adventures.
• Octopus Islands Marine Park is a 360 hectare remote marine park found at the entrance of Waiatt Bay off the coast of Quadra Island.

Central Gulf Islands

• Helliwell Provincial Park on Hornby Island is a 2,872 hectare waterfront park encompassing St. John's Point at the northern entrance of Tribune Bay. It is a popular scuba diving destination.
• Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park near Denman Island , also known as Tree Island, is a refuge for boating and scuba diving.

Southern Gulf Islands

• Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a marine park protecting the sensitive eco systems in the southern Gulf Islands Archipelago. The archipelago covers 35 square kilometres of land including 15 islands and 30 islets plus 26 square kilometres of ocean. It is a very popular destination for scuba diving.
• Dionisio Provincial Marine Park on Galiano Island includes a couple private coves and sandy beaches. Coon Bay is visited by scuba divers frequently.
• Drumbeg Park on Gabriola Island has some underwater reefs popular for scuba divers. Rogers Reef is one such popular diving spot.

Enjoy your dive EH!

The EH Team