Upcoming Events

  • Event Title Departs Returns Cost
  • Description

    A local favourite and a beautiful example of diving in Howe Sound with a fairly well protected bay to explore or shear wall out around the corner to the right. The many crevasses make great dens for octos which are commonly seen here. If you keep a keen eye out, you may also find a decorated warbonnet in the smaller cracks. The wall also boasts large boot sponges and some cloud sponges at deeper recreational depths, 80’+ (24m+).

    Kelvin Grove is located in a small with dedicated parking spaces (please use the southern car spots).  The access to this dive site is in a residential area so we ask that you be mindful and considerate of the local residents, particularly in the evenings. 

    The walk to the water is perhaps a little longer than other dive sites, but it’s well worth the effort.

    Details:

    • Included 2 tanks, weights and a PADI Professional on-site
    • 25 % off rentals
    • Transportation available for $15.00 space limited
    • Meet time is 8:30am
    Venue
    Kelvin Grove Beach & Marine Park
    Adress
    Lions Bay, BC
  • Description

    Another popular marine protected park that local divers frequent in great numbers is Porteau Cove. Like Whytecliff Park, Porteau Cove boasts several sites within a site; this large cove has plenty of variety to offer divers for repeat visits.

    The most commonly visited sites here are the 3 yellow mooring buoys in the middle of the marine protected bay. You can enter the water at the stairs (at high tide) and swim along the sandy bottom after taking a compass heading to them if your air consumption is good and watch for crabs, tunicates, sea pens and occasionally a dogfish along the way. Alternatively, you can swim along the surface to the buoys and descend down the chains to the Granthall, a sunken barge; the Centennial, a sailboat hull; or the Leaning Tower of Porteau, several concrete pillars piled together as a home for octos, lingcod and other creatures. These dives range from about 35’- 55’ (11-17 metres) and are therefore excellent options for Open Water certified divers. Be sure to check out the jungle gym between the Granthall and Centennial – this is a convenient place to practice your buoyancy skills.

    The Nakaya is another potential dive at Porteau. This old minesweeper is in approximately 70’-100’ of water ( 21-30m) and is therefore an advanced dive. It is also a very lengthy surface swim. This crumbling wreck is marked by the furthest white buoy at Porteau and shouldn’t be attempted on large tidal exchanges due to strong currents hindering an already long swim. The wreck itself is decaying rapidly at this point with portions collapsing. This makes it an interesting site to dive, but under no circumstances should one try to enter any portion of this wreck as it is highly unstable. If you venture out this far, be sure to look for rather large lingcod, longhorn decorator crabs and the variety of nudibranchs that all make the Nakaya their home.

    Porteau Cove is easy to find along Hwy 99.

    Details:

    • Included 2 tanks and weights
    • 25% off rentals
    • Professional (PADI) diver on site.
    Venue
    Porteau Cove
  • Description

    Whytecliff is Vancouver’s most popular dive site for good reason. This marine protected sanctuary for some of Howe Sound’s threatened creatures boasts a lot of life.  The plentiful plumose anemones, dungeness, red rock, hermit, decorator crabs (among others), rock fish, gobies, sole, massive sun stars, sea cucumbers are nothing to turn your nose up at.

    Whytecliff Park is also home to its share of surprises. Divers frequently encounter a friendly seal in the bay and secretive octopus either on the prowl or hidden away in a den. In the summer, it is not unusual for dogfish to make an appearance. More exotic creatures occasionally pop up here, as well, from a six gill sighting to a humboldt squid, from Pacific White-sided dolphins in the cut, to occasional curious sea lions, Whytecliff attracts marine life like it attracts divers.

    Whytecliff park is easy to find located along Hwy 99 (near Horseshoe bay).

    Please note Pay Parking is now in effect at Whytecliff Park

    Details:

    • Included 2 tank, weights, PADI Professional Guide
    • 25% off rentals
    • Transportation is available for $15.00 space limited
    • Mask Rentals are not available need to have your own mask and snorkel also need to buy mouthpiece.
    Venue
    Whytecliff Park
  • Description

    Fins up once the sun has gone to sleep and experience all the wonders and creatures living in the bay, the anemone garden and, for those who are certified to explore a bit deeper, the sponge field!

    Whytecliff is Vancouver’s most popular dive site for good reason. This marine protected sanctuary for some of Howe Sound’s threatened creatures boasts a lot of life.  The plentiful plumose anemones, dungeness, red rock, hermit, decorator crabs (among others), rock fish, gobies, sole, massive sun stars, sea cucumbers are nothing to turn your nose up at.

    Whyteciff is also home to its share of surprises. Divers frequently encounter a friendly seal in the bay and secretive octopus either on the prowl or hidden away in a den. In the summer, it is not unusual for dogfish to make an appearance. More exotic creatures occasionally pop up here, as well, from a six gill sighting to a humboldt squid, from Pacific White-sided dolphins in the cut, to occasional curious sea lions, Whytecliff attracts marine life like it attracts divers.

    Whytecliffe park is easy to find located along Hwy 99 (near Horseshoe bay).

    Details:

    • Included 1 tank, weights, PADI Professional Guide
    • 25% off rentals
    • Transportation is available for $15.00 space limited
    • 1 primary light mandatory and 1 back up light recommended
    Venue
    Whytecliff Park
    Adress
    Meet at Whytecliff Park for 8:00pm

International Diving Centre offers a whole host of diving activities, events and courses in order to keep divers diving and enjoying this exciting and rewarding activity in BC. You need to be trained well and feel confident in order to explore the underwater world. If you are not yet a diver IDC will make it our mission to make you see why this sport lives up to all your expectations with a PADI Open Water course. If you are already certified we welcome you to join our regularly scheduled fun dives and/or multi-day dive trips or get out on a local boat dive.