POWELL RIVER VISITOR INFORMATION: Accommodation, Things to Do, About Powell River & Area
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Diving in and around Powell River
Canada's Dive Capital
Text and images courtesy of Alpha Dive Services with the kind assistance of Tourism Powell River
There are many reasons why Jacques Cousteau claimed Powell River's emerald waters were "second only to the Red Sea". Our underwater world is filled with wild and exotic creatures which challenge our dreams and imaginations. Incredible winter visibility of up to 100' (30 metres), giant pacific octopus, wolf eel, cloud sponge, swimming scallops, natural wrecks, walls and colours that rival that of the Caribbean.
The Powell
River area is famous for more than 100 unique dive sites!
Diving our West Coast water is a more challenging adventure than
tropical diving. Our water temperature year round remains between
6 and 8 degrees Celsius (44 F) and demands the donning of thermal
protection. In the winter a dry suit is the choice of most divers
for warmth and comfort on multi-dive days.
Powell River"s sheltered depths are an underwater
paradise for divers
and our exceptional water clarity affords an excellent opportunity
for underwater photographers. Whether your interest is the tiny
and colourful creatures or the giant and gentle, colourful sites
abound with many varieties of both plant and animal life. Swim with
large red snapper, ling-cod and yellow-eye rockfish.
Visit the playful seals and explore the rocky crevasses which provide
homes for shy octopi and wolf eel. Explore the eerie and beautiful
underwater kelp forests that grow in the summer months providing
hiding places for a great variety of creatures such as schools of
perch, sea bass, greenlings, gobies, stickleback and herring. The
graceful kelp laying levels of the marine food chain.
The long stems of kelp reaching
toward the surface with rays of sunlight streaming through have
been described by divers as having the ethereal atmosphere of a
cathedral. While you are diving Powell River, don't forget to visit
our beautiful Emerald Princess - the 9' bronze sculpture anchored
in 60' of water off the shore at Saltery Bay Provincial Park.
Our most famous diving attraction was
created by sculptor Simon Morris in 1989, and has attracted visitors
from all over the world as well as remaining a favourite shore dive
for local divers. This wheelchair accessible site is equipped with
a diver rinse area, washrooms, change rooms and a ramp right down
to the water!
Powell River Diving Locations
(B=Boat Dive; S=Shore Dive)
- B - Copeland Islands: sea lions, November to April.
- B - Major Rock: seals all year long.
- S - Wreck: 65ft boat "Adventure" in 60ft of water & Wreck of the "North Star" in 45 feet water, and fishing boat in 40 ft of water.
- B - South end of Little Island: abundant marine life.
- B - Okeover Caves: unique marine life
- S - Breakwater: marine life and 2 small fishing boats in 30ft and 50ft of water
- B - The Iron Mines: spectacular cliffs
- B - Dinner Rock: wreck of 147ft "Gulf Stream"
- B - Vivian Islands: wreck of 110ft "Shamrock"
- B - Rebecca Rock: excellent shallow diving
- S - The Hulks: vast amount of small sea life
- S - Wreck: the "Malahat" a 100ft sailing ship in 40-80ft of water
- B - Grisle Point: octopus and cloud sponge
- B - Marshall Rock: great diving on the west side
- S - Texada Island: marine life on both sides
- S - Beach Gardens: breakwater/abundant life
- B - Scotch Fir Point: sea lions
- S - Mermaid: 50ft underwater is a 9ft statue and 100ft is the "MV Sandy Cape"
- S - Octopus City: numerous octopus and 32ft wreck in 50ft of water
Enjoy the best diving in North America right here in our emerald waters and discover for yourself what makes Powell River the "Dive Capital of Canada!"
