Top 10 Diving Destinations in Canada

With a diverse range of marine ecosystems, shipwrecks, and freshwater dive sites, Canada has some world-class dive destinations. Divers here have the privilege of exploring some of the world’s most unique and diverse environments, all without leaving the country. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant kelp forests of British Columbia or the shipwreck-filled waters of Ontario, Canada’s dive sites will leave you in awe.

1. Tobermory, Ontario.

Known as the scuba diving capital of Canada, diving in Tobermory offers crystal-clear waters and numerous shipwrecks. Located on the Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory boasts excellent visibility, typically around 30 meters (100 feet), making it fantastic for diving. Tobermory serves as the gateway to the famous Fathom Five National Marine Park. The waters around Tobermory are also home to dramatic rock formations and a variety of freshwater fish, including trout, bass, and pike.

2. Fathom Five National Marine Park, Ontario.

This UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is a mecca for wreck diving. Fathom Five National Marine Park, adjacent to Tobermory, has over 20 historical shipwrecks, with some dating back to the 19th century. The park’s cold, freshwater conditions have preserved many of these wrecks, allowing divers to explore their timbers and structures in stunning detail. Additionally, the park’s underwater caves and dramatic geological formations are worth exploring. Marine life is sparse compared to saltwater sites, but the appeal lies in the rich history and incredible visibility.

3. Brockville, Ontario.

Situated along the St. Lawrence River, Brockville is home to some of Ontario’s best wreck diving. The river is dotted with centuries-old shipwrecks and artefacts, including The Robert Gaskin, a three-masted barque that lies in about 20-25 meters (65-80 feet) of water. Apart from wrecks, Brockville offers opportunities to explore underwater rock formations and see a variety of freshwater fish. The area is known for its strong currents, so it’s ideal for more advanced divers.

4. Nanaimo, British Columbia.

On Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is one of Canada’s top dive spots with artificial reefs. The waters here are home to two sunken naval ships, HMCS Saskatchewan and HMCS Cape Breton, both intentionally scuttled to create artificial reefs. You can explore these massive structures while encountering giant Pacific octopuses, wolf eels, and colorful nudibranchs. The abundance of marine life, combined with the thrill of wreck diving, makes Nanaimo a must if you go diving in British Columbia.

5. God’s Pocket Marine Provincial Park, British Columbia.

Located near Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island, God’s Pocket is one of the most remote and pristine dive locations in Canada. The cold, nutrient-rich waters here attract an astonishing array of marine life, including sea lions, colorful anemones, and schools of fish. The kelp forests and rocky reefs are teeming with life, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot the rare and elusive giant Pacific octopus. Because of its remote location and challenging conditions, this destination is best suited for experienced divers.

6. Saguenay River, Quebec.

The Saguenay River is a unique destination for cold-water divers, as it combines both fresh and saltwater due to its fjord-like nature. Divers in the Saguenay River can experience the thrill of diving in a stunning natural landscape, with beautiful scenery above and below water. The river’s deep waters attract a variety of marine life, including Greenland sharks and various species of fish that thrive in the cold. Diving here requires experience due to the strong currents and cold temperatures.

7. St. Lawrence River, Quebec.

The Quebec section of the St. Lawrence River is a rich diving area known for its biodiversity. The cold waters are busy with life, from massive schools of fish to the occasional sighting of a beluga whale. The river also has numerous wrecks; the famed wreck The Empress of Ireland, which sank in 1914, remains a bucket-list dive, but the strong currents and low visibility make it a challenge.

8. Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.

For divers fascinated by history and wrecks, Bell Island offers one of the best cold-water diving experiences in Canada. The island is home to four massive shipwrecks from World War II, each sitting in the cold, clear waters of Conception Bay. These wrecks, torpedoed by German U-boats, are well-preserved and sit between 20 to 40 meters (65 to 130 feet) deep. Marine life around the wrecks includes jellyfish, starfish, and schools of fish.

9. Emerald Lake, Alberta.

While Alberta may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of dive destinations, Emerald Lake offers a unique experience. The lake’s turquoise waters provide visibility of up to 25 meters (80 feet), and there are stunning underwater landscapes, which include submerged forests and rock formations. As a freshwater dive, Emerald Lake is perfect for divers looking for something different in a picturesque setting.

The lake typically becomes ice-free from early June, depending on weather conditions, and remains ice-free through the summer months and into early October. By mid-to-late October, the lake often starts to freeze again as temperatures drop.

For diving, the best window is usually from June to September, when water conditions are more favourable. However, even during these months, the water is quite cold, so a dry suit is necessary.

10. Sechelt Inlet, British Columbia.

Sechelt Inlet is a lesser-known gem located on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. The calm, sheltered waters of the inlet make it accessible year-round, and the marine life is abundant. You can see rockfish, nudibranchs, and sea stars, along with occasional sightings of seals and sea lions. Sechelt Inlet is home to harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and California sea lions in the cooler months – so keep your eyes open for them.

The underwater topography features steep rock walls, making for dramatic dive sites. Sechelt Inlet is a fantastic choice for divers looking for rich biodiversity without the heavy currents of other BC dive sites.

Best Time to Go Diving in Canada.

The best time to dive in Canada depends on the destination. In Ontario, Tobermory and Fathom Five National Marine Park offer excellent diving from late spring to early fall, when water temperatures are warmer.

In British Columbia, you can dive year-round, but the best visibility is usually from late fall to early spring when plankton blooms are minimal. Newfoundland and Labrador also see the best diving conditions in the summer when the ice has thawed. Divers in Quebec’s Saguenay and St. Lawrence Rivers should aim for late summer to early fall for the best visibility and marine life encounters.

Experience Level Needed.

Most dive sites in Canada cater to experienced divers, especially those in cold-water environments like British Columbia and Newfoundland. Many destinations have challenging conditions, including strong currents, cold temperatures, and deep wrecks.

Sites like Tobermory and Brockville offer some intermediate-level diving, while destinations like God’s Pocket and Bell Island are best suited for experienced divers due to their depth and conditions. You should be prepared for colder temperatures, even in the summer months, and ensure you have proper exposure protection.

If you’re not used to diving in Canada, you might want to complete some advanced diving certifications to prepare for the conditions:

· Dry Suit Diving: Essential for comfort in Canada’s cold-water sites, a dry suit will help keep you warm and extend your dive time.

· Deep Diving: Many of Canada’s best dive sites are deep, so training in deep diving will be beneficial, especially for wreck diving.

· Wreck Diving: With Canada’s rich maritime history, wreck diving is a highlight. A wreck diving course will prepare you to navigate safely through the wrecks.

Kathryn Curzon, a dive travel writer for Scuba Schools International (SSI), wrote this article.