Canada's Dive Capital

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!

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!”

If you would like more information on diving on the Sunshine Coast contact the Powell River Visitor Centre at info@discoverpowellriver.com.

Text and images courtesy of Don Carto