Scuba Diving Trips on the Sunshine Coast BC

Diving with compressed air involves certain risks, and injuries can occur that require treatment in a decompression chamber. Dive sites are remote and a decompression chamber is not readily available. Even when following appropriate dive practices there is still some risk of sustaining decompression sickness, heart attack, embolism or other hyperbaric injury.

The responsibility to assess diving conditions and the decision to participate in
dive activities lies with solely with each individual diver.

View our conditions and waiver form.

Our product is transportation services only. Divers using our transportation need to be certified and experienced sufficiently to be able to manage their own dive activities. With prior notice a divemaster can be made available to those requesting it. Additional charges will apply.

Interested in upcoming dates to dive in Sechelt Rapids (Skookumchuck)? Click here.

Included on this page:

• What's the Area Diving Like
• Philosophy and Responsibility
• Diver Safety
• Dive Boat Organization
• When to Dive
• Access
• Skookumchuck / Chaudiere
• Pricing

What's the Area Diving Like?

There is limited opportunity to visit wrecks in the area. Many or our local wrecks are either very deep or in exposed areas. Older wrecks tend to be very deteriorated. The Artificial Reef Chaudiere is the most prominent wreck dive.

There are spots where there are small, protected ledges that are ideal for less adventurous or novice divers. There are many sheer walls where any certified diver with buoyancy control skills can gently drift. Intermediate or advanced divers can safely explore to the maximum limits of sport diving. Technical divers are finding this an ideal location to visit. There is an opportunity for working with an overhead environment at the Chaudiere. The extreme deep sites are numerous and enticing.

Skookumchuck Narrows, and in particular the Sechelt Rapids offer some of the finest dive sites in the Province. This is the one location that demands good coordination with the tide cycles. We recommend you plan on diving with a live boat and that you get good local input prior to venturing out.

The Agamemnon Channel and inner inlet areas are protected from most storm systems that move through the Sunshine Coast.

Philosophy and Responsibility

It is our position that certified divers run their own dive experience . Any suggestions we offer are guidelines only. We request that you inform the boat master of your dive plan.

Schedule of Responsibilities

Boat

1. Safe operation of vessel.
2. Drop off and pick up procedures.
3. Local tide and weather information.
4. Surface support in emergency situations.

Diver

1. Manage all dive activity.
2. Learn and follow boat procedures.
3. Keep boat crew advised of dive plans.
4. Secure storage of personal equipment.
5. Seek help as needed with any unfamiliar equipment / procedure.
   

Dive Safety

Sunshine Coast Tours supports Divers Alert Network. We expect every diver to follow the Divers Responsibility Code:

• Dive within the limits of ability and training.
• Evaluate the conditions before every dive and making sure they fit personal capabilities.
• Be familiar with and check equipment before and during every dive.
• Know your buddy's ability level as well as your own.
• Follow boat procedures.

To enhance the safety and enjoyment of your boat diving we expect the following additional safety guidelines to be followed.

• Boat crew is available for input as to "local knowledge". We can offer assistance regarding tides, currents and weather as well as local contacts. Decisions regarding dive activities lie with the diver.
• Coordinate with the boat master prior to entering the water or approaching the boat while in the water. Never enter the water or approach the boat while in the water without direct contact with the boat master.
• Always secure your tanks, especially when they are sitting on the tank trays.
• Keep loose equipment in containers and keep the deck clear of small objects.
• When night diving do not allow any lights to be pointed directly at the boat operator.

Dive Boat Organization

In water safety is the responsibility of the individual diver. We expect to see a wide variety of dive equipment configurations and dive practices. We will not interfere with your approach to diving. We ask each guest to respect our approach to vessel operation.

Divers are expected to listen to area briefings and ask questions to clarify their understanding of procedures. Final decisions regarding dive activities lies with the diver.

We prefer to keep the dive boat live. This allows:

• You to dive without the pressure of making it back to the boat.
• Us to respond quickly to situations on the surface.

We prefer to have divers enter the boat wearing all of their dive equipment. This

• Prevents loss while passing equipment from water to boat.
• Reduces boarding time and gives greater flexibility for pickups.

These approaches may mean that divers need to modify some of their own habits. Diving is a dynamic sport that requires constant attention and thought. It is not to be performed by rote.

When to Dive

Summer weather is stable and warm. However, winter provides the most exciting dive opportunities. The climate is friendly. We get more sunshine hours, more frost-free days and less annual precipitation than Vancouver does. Vancouver is more climate friendly than Seattle.

There are many demands on our infrastructure during summer. Our time is generally fully committed early. Premium pricing is in place.

Access

The Sunshine Coast is only one hour from Vancouver. Access is by BC Ferries, on the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale run. The cost and time involved are half that of going to Vancouver Island.

From Langdale driving time to Egmont is 1 1/2 hour.

Malaspina Bus Lines serve the Sunshine Coast. Malaspina can be boarded at major points in Vancouver or on the BC Ferry. There are several airlines serving the marine airdrome in Egmont from key points in Vancouver, Vancouver Island, or northern Washington State. A wheeled airport exists in Sechelt.

Sechelt Rapids (Skookumchuck) / Chaudiere

Click here for a table of upcoming dates when hydrographic service projections for Sechelt Rapids (Skookumchuck) indicate the current is less than 2 knots. We've suggested that these are diveable times.

Sechelt Rapids is one part of the Skookumchuck Narrows. This is the area where the currents build to the maximum flows that have become world famous. The enormous supply of nutrients supports diverse and prolific marine life. However, conditions in this location are tidal dependent and vary to the extreme. Timing your dives demands attention to detail.

We are able to assist with interpreting the current tables. Local knowledge is a big asset when trying to determine how the current flow is developing compared to the tidal projections. Tidal predictions are not an exact science. It is possible that the conditions experienced by the diver will not be what was anticipated. The decision as to when to enter the water lies with the individual diver.

When it works out to dive in Sechelt Rapids the rewards are significant. This is one of the nicest dives on the West Coast!

The Artificial Reef Chaudiere is another feature dive in the area. This is on the "must dive list" for all wreck enthusiasts. The sheer size of the reef is an attraction. It is well within diving range and generally quite protected from weather.

The Chaudiere is located in Sechelt Inlet, inside Skookumchuck Narrows, where water turnover is not as great. Marine life has not developed on the Chaudiere to the extend that it exists in the outer areas like the Jervis Inlet or the Agamemnon Channel. Many of the individuals who come here to dive prefer the marine life on the big walls in the Channels.

Typically we run to the Chaudiere only by special request, and only for groups or individuals on multi-day outings.

Price

Our price structure is based on $ 99.00 plus 5% gst (Canadian funds) per diver per day for a two tank day. Basic pricing includes transportation only. Charter rates (On a charter you pay for the boat; not an individual seat) are available.

There are no in-water services being provided. Charges are for boat services only. Consequently there is no difference in price for non-divers.

Non refundable pre payment is required to confirm space on any outing.

50% non-refundable deposit is to confirm a charter. Balance of payment is due on arrival. No refunds are available.