Break Water Island in Nanaimo offers a varied underwater landscape featuring reef, wall, and kelp forest environments. Suitable for beginner divers, the site reaches depths between 15 and 24 metres, with an average depth of 18 metres. Visibility typically ranges from 5 to 10 metres. Access is by boat only, and divers should be prepared for mild currents and potential boat traffic. Water temperatures fluctuate between 7 and 14 degrees Celsius, necessitating a drysuit or thick wetsuit. Due to the presence of kelp, there is a risk of entanglement; ensure all equipment is secured and loose straps are tucked away before entry.

The HMCS Cape Breton is a decommissioned Canadian Navy vessel resting as an artificial reef off the coast of Nanaimo. This wreck lies at depths between 18 and 30 metres, with an average depth of 24 metres. Access is strictly by boat charter, and divers should plan their dives around slack water to manage moderate currents. Visibility at the site typically ranges from 5 to 15 metres. Given the cold water temperatures of 7 to 15 degrees Celsius, a drysuit or thick wetsuit is required. The site presents hazards including potential entanglement and low visibility, making it suitable for intermediate divers with appropriate certification.

The HMCS Saskatchewan is an artificial reef wreck located 7000 metres off the coast of Nanaimo. This advanced dive site features a former naval vessel resting at depths ranging from 13 to 40 metres, with an average depth of 30 metres. Access is strictly by boat. Divers should be prepared for moderate currents and variable visibility between 5 and 27 metres. Water temperatures are cold, fluctuating between 7C and 14C throughout the year. Due to the depth and the nature of the wreck, this site presents hazards including decompression requirements, nitrogen narcosis, and overhead environments. Typical dive times are approximately 50 minutes. Boat charters and guided tours are available for those visiting this site.

Elliott's Beach Park in Nanaimo offers a sheltered shore entry suitable for beginners. The site features a rocky wall on the left side of the bay, with depths ranging from 9 to 18 metres and an average depth of 12 metres. Divers should be aware of moderate currents, boat traffic, and variable visibility between 5 and 15 metres. Water temperatures fluctuate between 7C and 14C throughout the year. The site is accessible for shore diving and night diving, with typical dive times around 45 minutes. Facilities at the park include parking and toilets. Snorkelling is also possible at this location.

Snake Island near Nanaimo offers a diverse underwater landscape featuring a reef, wall, pinnacle, and kelp forest. Divers can explore depths ranging from 9 to 33 metres, with an average depth of 27 metres. The site is accessible only by boat and is suited for intermediate divers due to moderate currents and cold water temperatures between 7 and 14 degrees Celsius. Visibility typically spans 10 to 20 metres. Marine life observed here includes harbour seals, king crab, scorpionfish, sunflower stars, and various nudibranchs like the Monterey dorid and white-lined dirona. Divers should be aware of entanglement risks in the kelp and plan dives around slack water.

Elliot's Beach Park in Nanaimo offers a shore-entry site featuring a mix of natural reef, kelp forest, and artificial reef structures. Divers and snorkellers can explore depths ranging from 15 to 18 metres, with an average depth of 15 metres. Conditions include mild currents and visibility between 5 and 10 metres. The site is suitable for beginners, though cold water temperatures between 7 and 14 degrees Celsius require appropriate thermal protection. Marine life recorded here includes the East Pacific Red Octopus, scorpionfish, toadfish, and various nudibranchs such as the White-lined Dirona and Northern Leopard Dorid. Crustaceans like rock crabs and shrimp are also common. Night diving is permitted at this location.

Portier Pass near Nanaimo offers a diverse underwater landscape featuring reef structures, kelp forests, and a wreck. Divers can explore depths ranging from 2 to 30 metres, with visibility typically between 10 and 30 metres. This boat-access site is subject to moderate currents that can shift rapidly, making it suitable for intermediate divers who can time their entry with slack water. Given the water temperatures of 7C to 14C, a drysuit is strongly recommended for comfort. The site is exposed to surf, and careful planning using tide tables is essential for a safe dive experience.

The Rivtow Lion is a shallow shore dive located off Vancouver Island, Canada. The site sits at a depth of 3 to 4 metres, making it a suitable environment for new divers to practise buoyancy control. Divers encounter mild currents throughout the area. Visibility at this site is variable and can change significantly between visits, so local conditions should be checked prior to arrival. The water temperature is warm, ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year. As there are no confirmed facilities at the location, divers should arrive self-sufficient with all necessary equipment.