Summer Diving in Vancouver: What to Expect
Summer in Vancouver is truly stunning. Blue skies, bright sun, and spectacular nature make for beautiful days on and around the ocean. But what’s going on below the surface this time of year?
If you’re new to diving around Vancouver, or just curious about what changes with the season, here’s a look at what to expect underwater during the summer months.
How’s The Vis During Summer?
Summer diving is not known for its crystal-clear conditions around here. Visibility takes a hit compared to cooler months, largely due to plankton and algae blooms, which thrive with long daylight hours and nutrient-rich waters. These blooms cloud the water, especially near the surface.
Runoff from rivers and creeks—fuelled by melting snow—can also reduce visibility in shallower areas, particularly after heavy rains.
The good news: visibility often improves at depth. Once you get below, things can open up. That means deeper sites or walls can be especially rewarding in summer, especially when timed around favourable tides.
Summer Marine Life in the PNW
While many of our most iconic creatures—GPOs, wolf eels, rockfish—are here year-round, summer does bring a few seasonal changes to the underwater landscape.
Kelp forests are in full growth, creating towering stands of bull kelp that sway in the current and offer shelter for all kinds of fish and invertebrates. Jellyfish are also more common in the summer, with lion’s mane and moon jellies drifting through the shallows in larger numbers.
At the surface, you might be lucky enough to spot orcas, humpback whales, or dolphins. While it’s unlikely to see these animals underwater while diving, they are still a spectacular sight for anyone who loves the ocean.
Warmer Days, Warmer Dives
Water temperatures in summer typically sit somewhere between 9–14°C depending on depth and location. That’s still drysuit territory for a lot of divers, and even those freediving in thick suits will need to be cautious about the heat. With warmer air temperatures and long surface intervals, overheating becomes an issue.
It’s not uncommon to feel less comfortable in July because your suit becomes a sauna on land. If you’re diving in a drysuit, keep base layers light and manage your exposure before and after dives. Take off some layers and cool down. For freedivers and wetsuit divers: timing, shade and staying hydrated make a big difference!
Check out our Calendar to find out what Diving Sports is up to this summer.
