Orlebar Point (Berry Point on land maps) is one of Gabriola Island's signature shore wall dives near Nanaimo . A short ferry ride and a few minutes of island driving put you at limited roadside parking above a sandstone entry shelf. Entrance Island and its lighthouse are the offshore visual reference.

Surface swim toward Entrance Island across shallow ledges -- roughly five minutes to the wall top around 45-55 ft. Most teams follow the wall west (left); current typically strengthens as the rock juts outward at the point. The wall drops well past 100 ft with cascading plumose gardens, crimson anemones, boot sponges, and cloud sponges deeper. Sea lions from the Entrance Island haulout occasionally buzz divers. Although this is a shore dive, it feels like the deep-water wall sites you would normally boat to.

Access: Shore entry from Gabriola Island after the Nanaimo ferry. Limited parking; no facilities at the point.

Marine life: Plumose and crimson anemones, boot sponges, cloud sponges, rockfish, lingcod, giant Pacific octopus, sea lions.

Conditions: Best around high slack; low slack can work on smaller exchanges. Current tends to carry you west along the wall. Fall and winter often bring better viz than spring/summer bloom periods. The site faces north.

Hazards: Advanced dive -- current-sensitive, depth, and navigation. Monitor gas and plan your return swim.