Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Sidney
Ready to check out the best sites in Sidney for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 10 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
No matter what you're looking for, you can find a diverse range of the best ocean activities in Sidney to suit your needs.
#1 - Sydney Pier
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Unrated
(1)
The town of Sydney has started an artificial reef on both sides of the pier. These reefs consist of concrete "reef balls". These balls are shaped like hollow soccer balls, and make homes for a variety of animals. There isn't too much to see hear - a lot of leaf kelp, a few anemones, some nudibranches and the odd rockfish. The pier is a popular spot for crabbing, although we didn't see too many large crabs.To find the artificial reefs swim out along the pier until you hit the second-last pair of supports for the pier. Descend along the support; this will land you directly on the reef balls. You can then do a circuit - follow the balls east to the end of the pier, then cross the pier to pick up the second set of balls. Follow these balls west, back towards shore. That's it - easy as pie! The dives shallow; at high tide you'll be lucky to hit 10m/30'. Just two things to be concerned about; fishermen on the pier and current. This dive is best done on slack. Fishermen usually don't cast as far as the reef balls, but be prepared for monofilament when you pass under the pier.
From Victoria take highway 17 North until the Beacon Ave turnoff for the town of Sydney (~20km from downtown Victoria). Turn right (east) onto Beacon Ave, and follow it to 2nd Street - at this point turn right (south) onto 2nd, take it for one block and then turn left. This'll put you on Bevan Ave, from here you should be able to see the Pier. Park where possible, gear up, and walk to the pier. You can enter on either side of the pier - careful, both entries are rocky and slippery.
#2 - GB Church
Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island
beginner
(0)
This wreck is mostly protected from the island that it resides beside. Portland Island. Although you may feel current at the surface, once below 10 metres [30 feet] there is usually very little or no current.
This dive site can only be accessed by boat. Two buoys exist at the wreck, but sometimes only one is visible.
GB Church is also known as MV G.B. Church.
#3 - Forest Island - North End
Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island
beginner
(0)
This dive site is located at the north end of Forest Island, and a boat is required. Current is an issue here. The best site here is between 75 and 200 metres north of the end of the island.
Forest Island - North End is also known as Forest Island.
#4 - Little Group Islands
Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island
beginner
(0)
Little Group Islands is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#5 - Joan Rock
Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island
beginner
(0)
Joan Rock is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#6 - Arachne Reef
Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island
beginner
(0)
Arachne Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#7 - Cooper Reef
Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island
beginner
(0)
Cooper Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#8 - Graham`s Wall
Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island
intermediate
(0)
Graham`s Wall is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#9 - Imrie Island
Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island
beginner
(0)
Imrie Island is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#10 - Sidney Waterfront
Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island
beginner
(0)
This dive site is hard to predict slack current for. An artificial reef exists here, of hollow concrete half spheres. There is also the wreck of a small sail boat. But despite this dive sites problems this can be an interesting dive.
This dive site is located right downtown in Sidney at the end of Beacon Avenue. There is a park here at the water front. Just look for the beach, and the stairs leading into the water. This is also one of the few dive locations where there is a wheel chair ramp. But this is best used at high tide. As they did not seem to account for low tide for it.
Sidney Waterfront is also known as Sidney.