This area covers the ocean sites of Howe Sound off British Columbia's Pacific coast, centred on Gambier and Bowyer Islands and the waters around them. The site mix spans artificial reefs, wrecks, rocky walls, and open reef, with depths running from very shallow to forty metres. Water temperatures are cold year-round, coolest in winter and reaching their highest point in mid-summer. Shore entries at Porteau Cove and the Granthall Wreck suit beginners, while Kelvin Grove and boat-access sites such as Pam Rocks and the USS Annapolis cater to intermediate divers. Nudibranchs, pile perch, kelp greenlings, and harbour seals are all recorded here, and operators work out of Bowen Island.
Monthly water temperature across HMCS Annapolis's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures are at their lowest from winter through early spring and peak in mid-summer, though cold conditions persist year-round and a wetsuit or drysuit is appropriate in every season. Visibility varies by site, ranging from limited at some locations to very clear at others such as Christe Islet.
4 operators
Bowen Island, Canada
Water temperature around HMCS Annapolis ranges from about 7°C in January to 18°C in July, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 18°C) a 5mm suit is comfortable in HMCS Annapolis; in the coldest months (about 7°C) step up to a drysuit.
Fin maps 7 sites in HMCS Annapolis (7 scuba diving sites and 2 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
3 more sites to explore
