Nanaimo Diving Guide

Overview Photos Sites Top Sites Shore Boat Reports

Interested in Nanaimo diving? Nanaimo boasts flagship artificial wrecks and walls. The HMCS Saskatchewan and HMCS Cape Breton are wreck diving highlights. Wreck dive training or advanced training often happens here. We also enjoy Snake Island Wall, Dodd's Narrows and Gabriola Passage -- see Nanaimo Top Sites for more information. Dive shops can help handle boat diving logistics. A community of local divers often meets for shore dives.

Diver Eric Askilsrud diving a rebreather at the HMCS Saskatchewan. Wolf eel in the foreground. Photo by Dave Hicks.

📷 View more Nanaimo Area dive photos

Getting started

🆕 New to diving? See our getting started guide.
🥶 New to cold water? See what to expect.
🗺️ Map of dive sites in the Nanaimo Area
🏪 Dive shops near Nanaimo, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach

Nanaimo Area Dive Sites

Diving near Nanaimo, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach.

All Dives Shore Dives Boat Dives

Top sites

🗺️ See top Nanaimo Area dive sites on a map →

Nearby dive shops

🏪 Choosing a dive shop? Read our guide to choosing a dive shop in the Pacific Northwest.

Recent Dive Reports

DIVE SITE	VIZ	UPDATED
Tyee Cove	30+ feet	1 day ago
HMCS Saskatchewan	10-15 feet	4 days ago
Oak Leaf	A hazy 20+ feet, 10 feet in the shallows	4 days ago

📰 View recent dive reports for the Nanaimo Area

Charters

Charters are often best booked through your local dive shop -- they typically provide the dive master. Check with the operator for areas served.

Dive Clubs

Dive clubs are a great way to get to know the area. Many dive shops offer group outings or charter trips (see our shop listings). There are also various diving meetups you can join. Some focus on specialties like underwater photography or tech diving; others on site maintenance and conservation. If you're new to local diving, many club members are happy to meet up for a casual shore dive or help you get oriented at a site—just reach out and ask. Here are some of the known dive clubs in the area:

Sundown Diving Club Dives

Additional region overview

Dive the HMCS Saskatchewan and Cape Breton wrecks, drift Dodd's Narrows and Gabriola Passage, or explore Snake Island Wall for structure and seals in the shallows.

Explore Madrona Point and the wall at Orlebar Point on Gabriola.

Pacific Northwest scuba diving regions

🗺️ see on map

Help your fellow diver!

✏️ to share visibility, conditions, or diving tips.
🍔 after your next dive.
👥 This page is maintained by divers. Contact us to suggest a dive shop, charter, top site, dive club, or other useful resource.