Nanaimo Shipwreck Boat Diving Trip
Why train with us?
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Low student to instructor ratios : 3 or 4 students per instructor both in the pool and ocean
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Our retail store is located downtown.
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Diving courses available all year-round. Private courses available.
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We teach children 10 years and older.
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Passionate team of Instructors and Divemasters who love to teach.
Nanaimo Wreck Diving Trip | Explore Vancouver Island’s Legendary Shipwrecks
Join us for an unforgettable 2-day semi-guided wreck diving trip in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. Discover some of the best cold-water wreck dives in the world, including the HMCS Saskatchewan, Cape Breton, and the RivTow Lion.
This trip is semi-guided. We will pair solo divers together, but you must be comfortable planning and executing your dive without a guide in-water for the full dive.
Respecting the Environment and Marine Life:
At Diving Sports we are passionate about the environment. All of our guides will be making sure divers are following practices to leave our dive sites the same or better than when we get there. All divers will be following the "look, don't touch" rule during all trips to ensure minimum impact with the marine environment and wildlife.
What’s Included:
- Two days of boat diving (2 dives/day)
- Tanks and weights
- Light snacks on the boat
- Wreck Specialty Instructor onboard for coaching and guidance
- Optional transportation and accommodation (extra fee)
What’s Not Included:
- Meals
- Nitrox fills (available through the charter)
- Rental gear — Reserve rental gear here
Diving in a Drysuit?
You must have a Drysuit Specialty certification if you plan to dive in a drysuit. Don’t have one? Take our Drysuit Course.
Requirements to Join:
- Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent)
- At least 15 cold water dives
- Recent cold-water dive within 6 months
- Comfortable diving without a guide
- Minimum age 12 (minors require parent/guardian consent)
Transportation:
Transportation and hotel can be arranged for an additional fee. You can also choose to drive and book your own accommodation in Nanaimo (we recommend Travelodge).
Trip Flow & Meeting Time:
- Oct 4 – 7:15 AM: Meet at Diving Sports (4578 Main St, Vancouver) for ferry to Nanaimo
- 8:35 AM: Ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay
- 10:30 AM: Meet at Brechin Boat Launch in Nanaimo (500m from ferry terminal)
- 2 boat dives on the wrecks (HMCS Saskatchewan, Cape Breton, or RivTow Lion)
- Evening: Overnight stay in Nanaimo
- Oct 5 – 8:30 AM: Meet again at Brechin Boat Launch
- 2 more boat dives on wrecks near Departure Bay
- 1:30 PM: Return to dock and pack up
- 3:20 PM: Ferry back to Vancouver
Nanaimo Shipwreck Dive Trip
Where Are We Going?
British Columbia waters host a diverse topography and marine life that draws divers from around the world. Wreck divers enjoy exploring the three great wrecks in the area, one shallow in the channel, and two deeper just outside the Harbour; each offers a different diversity of life. Nearby walls and reefs offer something for both the advanced and the technical scuba diver alike.
Who is This Trip For?
- Anyone wishing to explore world class shipwreck diving
- Wreck Specialty certified divers who want to do some overhead wreck exploration
- Photographers interested in capturing wide angle action
- Scuba divers with Advanced or Technical certification and a minimum of 15 cold water dives, one within the last 6 months
- Wreck certification required for penetration dives
- Nitrox certification highly recommended (dives 18m - 25m)
Who is This Trip NOT For?
- Newer divers who haven't mastered buoyancy or had drysuit experience
- Open Water Divers not trained for depths below 18m/60ft
- Divers who require a guide present at all times for comfort
Packing List
- Basic Scuba Kit: Regulator, BCD, exposure suit, gloves, boots, hood, fins, mask
- Dive Computer (required)
- Dive Light (recommended, required for Wreck divers)
- DSMB (required)
- Dive reel or line & spool (required for Wreck divers)
- Dive Camera
- Rental Equipment: Reserve Here
Commitment to Safety and Enjoyment
At Diving Sports we believe in making sure all our divers (Scuba and Freedivers) receive the best possible experience while maintaining a high standard for safety, both for the divers, the guide, and the environment we are visiting. Our dive guides have many years of experience diving locally in cold water. All Dive guides are trained in first aid and oxygen delivery. First Aid kits and DAN Oxygen Kits are present on all trips and courses. Dive sites or dive plans may be changed due to weather conditions or experience level of the group. Any diver not adhering to proper dive practices will politely be asked to adapt to better interact with the underwater environment.
Location and Contact
Diving Sports Canada
4578 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5V 3R5
Phone: (604) 694-1886
Email: customerservice@divingsports.com
