Dive the Emerald Sea
Canada's Top 20 Adventures
With outstanding visibility, a high concentration of wildlife, dramatic rock formations, and colorful sea gardens of starfish and sponges, diving into the waters off Vancouver Island is like visiting an underwater zoo.
Nanaimo is a popular departure point for exploring this mix, with lots of outfitters ready to drop you into the briny world of the wolf eel, yellow-edged cadlina, and the giant Pacific octopus. One of the single best dives in Canada is near Nanaimo at Dodds Narrows, between Vancouver Island and tiny Mudge Island. You'll find an area rich in wildlife and extreme geological formations, with many cliffs and pinnacles exceeding 100 vertical feet. And, for a peek at a man-made reef, check out the wreck of the 366-foot-long Canadian Naval Destroyer HMCS Saskatchewan.
