• NANAIMO AREA

Dodd Narrows:    

Situated 5 nautical miles SE of Nanaimo, Dodd Narrows is rated the #2 dive site in BC.  Only 55 metres wide at the narrowest point with a max depth of 33 metres.  The 8-9 knot currents in this picturesque channel create an ideal habitat for a lush assortment of colourful marine invertebrates.  Due to the strong currents, Dodd Narrows can only be dived from a boat at slack water.  The Mudge Island side of the Narrows with it's heavily colonized sheer vertical faces and overhangs is the diver's preferred bank.   Living in Dodd Narrows are many species of Sea Anemone, Aggregating Anemone, Sea Stars, Mosshead Warbonnets, Puget Sound King Crab, Orange Cup Corals, Red Irish Lords, Rockfish and Cod.  Occasionally during the winter months California and Stellar Sea Lions can be observed feeding on Salmon in the swift tidal stream.  A photographers dream!

Snake Island:    

Snake Island (a bird sanctuary) is a wall dive starting in 20 metres of water and descending vertically to well over 200 metres.  Most notable on the wall are large colonies of Cloud Sponges and Plumose Anemones.  This is a deep diving favourite and the shallow water ledges provide an ideal and most suitable area for safety stops.  Here divers and snorkellers can pass the time interacting with one of the 250 Friendly Harbour Seals that have made this site their home.

HMCS Saskatchewan:      (Just 10 minutes by boat from The Buccaneer Inn)

 On June 14, 1997, Snake Island became the home of Western Canada's newest and most popular artificial reef.  There have been more dives completed on The Saskatchewan than the cumulative total of all of B.C.’s artificial reefs! This 110m ex-Canadian Navy destroyer escort is situated between 12-40 metres of water, making Snake Island an excellent two-dive destination. The Saskatchewan has been extensively prepared for diver access and when combined with a gentle bottom current and excellent visibility year round, she truly lives up to her ship's motto, " the Best in the West". Want to watch The Saskatchewan Sink?

Four Fathom Reef:   

An underwater pinnacle rises as shallow as 8 metres from a sea floor depth of 4o+ metres.  Four Fathom is known locally as a prolific spawning ground for all species of Rock Fish, Lingcod, Greenling, Cabezon, Spiny Pink (swimming) Scallops and Giant Pacific Octopus.  Here, divers have a good chance of seeing the Octopus out of their dens during daylight hours.  

Clarke Rock:    

A dual pinnacle site that comes as close as 3 metres to the surface from the surrounding 30+ metre sea floor.  Many species of Rock Fish live here although this site is most popular for it's tall chimney sponges, sea pens and wildly coloured Nudibranchs.   Wolf Eel and Giant Pacific Octopus can be seen on occasion.

Jesse Island:    

This small island located in Departure Bay boasts at least 3 separate and distinct dive sites in very sheltered conditions.  Each site has a unique ecology ranging from rock pillars, sea caves, walls, gentle bottom slopes and pinnacles.  Marine life varies widely from site to site. and is a very popular night dive location.

You can expect to see everything from dainty to full size specimens of Giant (swimming) Nudibranchs, Sea Pens, Sea Whips, Plumose Anemones, rare Crimson Anemones, Sea Perch, Cabezon, Lingcod, Wolf Eels and Octopus.

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The Buccaneer Inn - Nanaimo BC's highest rated motel since 1998!
1577 Stewart Avenue Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada V9S 4E3
Tel: (250) 753-1246 Fax: (250) 753-0507
Toll Free Reservations (Canada & U.S.A.) 1-877-282-6337 Contact us by email: info@buccaneerinn.com

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