Looking for deep-water adventure? No need to go very far because Canada has some great spots for you to try out those diving skills. You may be surprised at how many locations this beautiful country of ours has to offer. Check out some of the top diving locations in your own backyard.

Atlantic

Newfoundland and Labrador offers divers an experience of a lifetime. There’s something for everyone – an abundance of rich marine life as well as shipwrecks for the history buff. It’s estimated that there are 8,000 wrecks ready for exploring. Some were victims of the elements – ice and storms – while others were struck down by German U-boats in WWII. Must see SCUBA diving destinations include:

• Near Gros Morne National Park, on the western shores of Newfoundland, divers can swim amongst an abundance of marine life – whales, shellfish, and other underwater species.
• In Conception Bay near Bell Island, the SS Lord Strathcona sits just 89 feet from the surface – torpedo holes clearly visible and ready for viewing.

Ontario

The Great Lakes offers freshwater diving at it’s best. Here you will find shipwrecks, artificial reefs, caves, geological formations as well as large and small fish – endless underwater adventures for divers to explore. The attraction to this region is the warm summer temperatures and the clear visibility. The freshwater, that is cold most of the year, manages to preserve the wooden schooners from the 1800’s making exploration breathtaking as well as a little spooky. Some destinations to consider include:

• Kingston, where the St. Lawrence River meets Eastern Lake Ontario, for shipwrecks that are well preserved by the cold waters – 19^th century schooners to steel car ferries are all part of this adventure.
• Brockville and the 1000 Islands region on the St. Lawrence River, where there are more than a dozen wrecks to discover. Dive to see century old shipwrecks and artefacts as well as a fascinating underwater sculpture park.
• Tobermory, on Georgian Bay, explore the Fathom Five National Marine Park. IT’s said the waters rival the Caribbean for clarity. The ancient rock formations and more than 22 shipwrecks offer divers plenty of adventure.

British Columbia

The coastal waters of British Columbia is a definite bucket list destination for divers with endless miles of walls and reefs, passages and shipwrecks to discover. It is said that Jacques Cousteau called BC the second best place on the planet to dive. The marine life is fascinating – and large. Pacific octopus, wolf eels, rockfish, coral and giant sponge formations, humpbacks and orcas are all part of the diving experience on the Pacific Ocean. A few BC destinations to consider:

• Port Hardy, on the northern part of Vancouver Island, for its lush and diverse ecology.
• Barkley Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, for the abundance of underwater marine life – plants and animals alike.
• Saanich Inlet, near Victoria, for a giant sponge forest that attracts attention from divers worldwide.
• Nanaimo, for the sunken ships and other wrecks including a WWII supply ship and a Boeing 737 jet.

Diving certification

Interested in diving and still need to get certified? Check out our article Take the plunge and become a certified SCUBA diver.

Other resources

For more SCUBA diving information, check out the following provincial links:

• Newfoundland and Labrador Diving
• Ontario Underwater Council
• Dive BC

SeeWhatSheCanDo

Check out our Athlete Advisor, your online business directory for SCUBA diving businesses in your community. Find, rate and review local dive shops, community centres and businesses that will help you do your thing.

Do you have a favourite Canadian SCUBA diving destination? Or a story about a great diving adventure? Tell us about it directly on our Discover blog or by using #seewhatshecando on social media and inspire others to get active. 

Check for more information on SCUBA diving in your community. Find, rate and review local dive shops, community centres and businesses that offer SCUBA diving in your community, on our Athlete Advisor, your online athletic business directory. 

Head to our Outdoor Adventure activity page for more know-how SCUBA articles like Take the plunge and become a certified SCUBA diver .

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Looking for other divers or diving events? Find or start an event or group on our SWSCD Hub.