Site Resources & Tools
Dive planning for HMCS Chaudière
Site Briefing
HMCS Chaudière is a dive site in Sechelt. 366-ft Restigouche-class destroyer escort scuttled December 5, 1992 by the Artificial Reef Society of BC in Sechelt Inlet off Kunechin Point on the Sunshine Coast.
Rests on its port side with a 90-degree list (which can scramble a compass) at depths from ~50 ft on the starboard gunwale down to 130-145 ft at the port bow. Covered in orange and white plumose anemones, feather stars, brittle stars, glass tunicates; cloud sponges on the forward gun barrels at depth. Buoy lines usually attached to the wreck for direct access; wreck penetration only with proper training and gear.
Access: 20-minute boat ride from Sechelt marina; Multiple descent buoys.
Marine life: Lingcod, perch, octopus, wolf eels, juvenile rockfish, shiner perch schools.
Conditions: Sechelt Inlet has minimal current at the site itself, but the general area (Skookumchuck Narrows) does require slack timing for nearby dives.
Hazards: Advanced dive -- 90-degree list disorients, and the deeper features (gun barrels) put divers below 100 ft.
⚠️ Safety & accuracy
Before diving at HMCS Chaudière, always check the site-specific wind/wave forecast, tide/currents, and recent reports ! Reminder: Winds (even offshore winds) can impact slack time.
Briefings may be out of date or have inaccuracies. Dive within your training and experience. The first time diving a site, join someone familiar with the site and/or start on a mild day.
See our currents, tides, wind, and waves guide for help reading charts and planning current-sensitive dives.
The nearest NOAA current and tide stations within 25 miles are selected by default when available. Click a pin on the map below to choose another station for current, tide, camera, or buoy data (you may need to zoom in or out).
See an issue? Would you suggest a different default station or depth? Suggest briefing updates.
Nearby Stations
No NOAA current station within 25 miles of this site. Click a pin on the map below to choose a station.
Nearest Featured Dive Sites
- Skookumchuck Rapids (~8 miles)
- HMCS Saskatchewan (~29 miles)
Nearby Dive Sites
- Tuwanek (~6 miles)
- Cross Tree (~11 miles)