Nanaimo Diving Guide
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 .
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.
Top sites
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rivtow Lion | A hazy 10 feet, 5-10 feet in the shallows (low tide) | |
| Snake Island Wall | A clear 20+ feet, 10 feet in the shallows (low tide) |
Charters
Charters are often best booked through your local dive shop -- they typically provide the dive master. Check with the operator for areas served.
- Sundown Diving
- UB Diving
- …and .
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: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 mapMetro areas
- SeattleCentral Puget Sound
- BellevueEastside · Central Puget Sound
- TacomaSouth Puget Sound
- OlympiaSouth Puget Sound
- EverettNorth Puget Sound
- AnacortesNorth Puget Sound
- BellinghamBellingham Area
- Port AngelesStrait of Juan de Fuca
- VancouverHowe Sound
- VictoriaVictoria Area
- SidneyVictoria Area
- NanaimoNanaimo Area
- Courtenay / ComoxNanaimo Area
- Campbell RiverDiscovery Passage
- PortlandOregon region
- SalemOregon region
- EugeneOregon region
- HillsboroOregon region
- BendOregon region
- Coos BayOregon region
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.