Atlantis Diving Academy -- BC Diving

British Columbia is home to the best diving in the world. There are countless reasons as to why many people prefer B.C. as their diving destination. Diving in B.C. is preferred primarily for the combination of our outstanding environment and abundant marine life that teems along the coastal waters. B.C. also has a variety of accommodation that would suit everyone from the traveler seeking a live-aboard through a five class resort. The diving in B.C. is not limited to one region, and various areas in B.C. offer specialized dives that range from seeking out the six gilled sharks of Hornby Island, to eerie kelp forests off of Vancouver Island, to the marine park of Porteau Cove and its underwater assortment of artificial reefs and sunken treasures. On top of all of this, B.C. is also a leader in conservation efforts, with PADI's Project Aware being a fundamental component of this.

Due to the high quality of our local dive industry, people prefer diving in B.C. waters directly as a result of the assurance of all around service, equipment, and knowledge. The local dive shops are very friendly, supportive, and strive to accommodate their customer's every need, whether known or anticipated. Local shops offer educational opportunities, equipment, and specialized adventure experiences geared to all levels of divers. B.C. is home to several experienced, professional Charter operators that are geared to bringing divers to spectacular dive sites year round with unsurpassed support and technical services. Divers also enjoy the diverse range of diving activities that B.C. offers. In B.C., an inexperienced diver can enjoy many accessible shore dives, and more experienced divers can test their skills by participating in ice diving, altitude diving, wall diving, wreck diving, as well as lake diving to name but a few of the opportunities that are available to the willing diver.

The environment is a major reason that divers put B.C. waters at the top of their list. The natural features of our coastline offer countless opportunities that extend far beyond the specialty dives that have already been listed. B.C.'s shore and boat accessible dives are unparalleled prospects for both the naturalist through professional photography. Rocky reefs, sandy shores, and miles of coastline offer unique instances to capture moments on film both above and below the surf. B.C.'s tidal action provides abundant current action that feeds the local marine life and also provides the chance to partake of some excellent shore dives. The visibility below the thermocline in B.C. waters often reaches beyond 100 feet for much of the year.

The undersea world in B.C. within the protected waters of the Pacific Ocean is home to a plethora of marine life from the micro through the macroscopic. We have many species of invertebrates crawling upon the sea floor, burrowing in the sand, among the plentiful rocky crevices, and sometimes mysteriously dancing in the open water. Abundances of vertebrates also abound, such as lingcod, greenlings, rockfish, salmon, dogfish, and six-gill sharks to name but a few of the more recognizable species that may be found within the rich waters of the B.C. coastline. Divers can head out to the Gulf Islands and play with the stellar sea lions, or encounter harbour seals that make our waters their local habitat. Pods of orcas, seasonal humpback whale migrations, and playful white-sided dolphins play in the straights and all along the coast of B.C. Divers can experience the electrifying beauty of our kelp forests, or visit sandy shoals with hundreds of sea pens or anemones creating a eerie undersea garden of colours. B.C. waters have rich, abundant shores that provide hours of enjoyment as beachcomber, a diver, and as a naturalist.

There is a staggering amount of places in B.C. to choose from when planning your diving adventure. Vancouver offers many local, easily accessible shore and boat dives. A diver does not have to be prepared to undergo a large expense in B.C. to reach some prime dive locations. You can even plan a day where you can go skiing in the morning, and go diving in the afternoon all within a short, one hour drive in between! The Gulf Islands have a whole slew of beautiful places to dive. A short vacation in the Gulf Islands can provide a great getaway from the city, a stay in a bed and breakfast, picnics on the beach, and the chance to enjoy water sports such as kayaking or frolicking in the water that would complement your diving holiday. Currents run between Vancouver Island and the hundreds of Gulf Islands, bringing fresh food for our corals, the anemones, and the shellfish. This can make it difficult in finding a surface that has not been covered with teeming life.

It is a little known fact that Vancouver Island is home to one of the world's largest artificial reefs. The Cape Breton was part of our naval fleet and is now home to many different species of marine life and is an important dive site that you don't want to miss out on. Vancouver Island has plenty of wrecks that can be investigated: many are natural wrecks while others have been specially planned for divers. The Sunshine Coast is another popular destination for divers searching for wrecks, as well as wolf eels, octopus, and beautiful landscapes. The more prudent divers may wish to check out the pristine reefs off of the Queen Charlotte Islands. The Queen Charlottes are home to giant barnacles and pacific mussels, giant Pacific octopus, plate sized scallops, numerous fish species, and many larger mammals. No matter what destination you choose to explore in B.C., there are amazing sites, life, and landscapes that are awaiting to be discovered.

The kind of accommodations available can also make or break a holiday. Depending on their desire and budget, divers can stay at luxurious hotels, lodges, motels, and bed and breakfasts that can cater to their needs. Many resorts and dive companies offer all inclusive packages, group packages, as well as packages designed for the single diver. B.C. has many gorgeous campgrounds that you may choose to stay in instead, or you may want to travel in an RV, or drop in at hostels. B.C. offers holiday packages for every type of traveler, and it isn't known as Beautiful British Columbia for nothing! Divers can also choose to live aboard the vessel they will be diving from. Most charters offer 3, 5, or 7 night packages at reasonable prices and provide excellent services and amenities. Regardless of the destination or what accommodation you choose, the locals are always friendly and courteous to travelers and will go that extra mile to ensure that you enjoy our diving and province as much as we do.

British Columbia is a paradise to countless diving enthusiasts. B.C. is a premier place to dive as a direct result of our complex ecosystems, how the industry is serviced, natural beauty that abounds above and below the surf, and the range of accommodations that are available for travelers. There are countless destinations, and you will find yourself relaxing as you adapt to our relaxed Canadian ways. One quickly realizes that B.C. has so much to offer, that you quickly exhaust adjectives such as stunning, beautiful, magnificent, or awesome. Once you have discovered for yourself the quality and variety of our diving, you will be hooked and already planning your next visit to see us!