The area surrounding British Columbia’s Victoria is renowned for its natural beauty, both above and below the water’s surface. Here, you’ll find lovely pine forests redolent with the scent of sweet sap rising; plus massive rock formations, exciting opportunities to view marine mammals, and plenty of smaller surprises just waiting to be discovered. There are several different Sooke dive sites to investigate; some of which can be reached from shore, and some of which can be accessed only via boat. Here are three of the best.
Possession Point - Victoria Dive Sites
A large, steep point of land that juts into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Possession Point is situated between the Sooke Inlet and East Sooke Park. Topside, deer and bald eagles, river otters, and seals have staked out their territories; and so have people. The area is the site of some developments which seem to have been abandoned due to a lack of funds. The locals enjoy watching sunsets here and treat the area like a park. Only diveable when conditions are flat calm, the site is washed by currents and is accessed via a steep trail where loose rocks protrude from slippery mud that threatens to send you and your gear tumbling down into the waiting arms of the barnacle and mussel encrusted rocks below. Once underwater though, your efforts will be abundantly rewarded with the sight of brilliant anemones in shades of yellow, pink, and green. Kelp reigns supreme in the shallows, sheltering little fish and other creatures; once past the forest of emerald stalks, you’ll find yourself atop a wall that drops down to meet the sandy bottom at a depth of about 13 meters. Covered in hydroids, cup corals, and more anemones, the wall is simply fantastic – look for king crab, rockfish, and red Irish lords. On your way up, inspect the little surge channels that form in the rocks between the kelp, and you’ll find strawberry anemones, which are rare in the Victoria area. Even in great conditions, entry and exit are a challenge; don’t be surprised if you end up with holes in your gloves, courtesy of the bivalves living on the rocks; still, the beauty of the site makes the effort it takes to get in and out seem completely insignificant.
Sooke Bluffs Park - Victoria Dive Sites
Rare stands of Macrocystis Kelp, which is common in other places but rare around Victoria, make this an exciting site for anybody who loves the idea of exploring giant kelp forests. The largest of all brown algae species, this type of kelp can grow to be fifty feet long, and grows massive leaflike blades designed to capture the sun’s energy and transform it into more of the fast-growing species. The forest is located about 50 meters offshore and stretches from one end of the beach to the other, for about a kilometer. Extremely shallow, with maximum depth of about four to five meters, this underwater wonderland is absolutely magical. Huge perch, tunicates, nudibranchs, and lots of juvenile rockfish populate the site, and patches of sea grass add even more color, as do rocks covered in pink coralline algae and encrusting sponges. Exciting from both a biological standpoint and for its value as a photo site, this is one place all divers can enjoy with relative ease, so long as conditions are calm. Be careful to obey posted signs regarding parking; it is a good idea to get someone to drop you and your gear off, then park in an area where your car won’t stand the risk of being towed.
Simpson Point - Victoria Dive Sites
The site of the broken wreck of the Schooner Surprise, which hit the rocks and went down in 1874, Simpson Point is mostly covered by a sheep farm which is private property. Fortunately, there is a public access lane where you can walk to a mudslide of a trail that leads down to the pebbly beach. Off the northern side of the point, you’ll find a reef just below the surface, plus a little wall that drops down to a depth of about 13 meters. The currents are fast and challenging, sometimes flowing in opposite directions, which is illustrated by the strange activity of the few strands of kelp that manage to cling to the substrate. While there are lots of nudibranchs here, plus plenty of colorful cup corals, hydroids, tunicates, and bryozoans, and lovely yellow sponges, there is an odd absence of anemones. A few rockfish hide in cracks, along with decorator crabs and some sculpins. Visibility here tends to be poor, however the site is extremely interesting. Watch for sea lions and harbor seals, and keep your distance if you see them lounging on the beach as you enter or exit the site. If you’re lucky, they might put on an underwater show for you to enjoy. If you end up making it around the point to the wreck site, you’ll find a few wooden ribs jutting up from the bottom, covered in sponge. Interesting from an archaeological point of view, the wreck itself has mostly disappeared over the last century and takes only a few minutes to examine. Only diveable when the weather is cooperative and conditions are calm, this site is certainly not one where beginning divers should try their luck; even those with plenty of experience may find it to be a real challenge.
While these sites do take some effort to reach, they are wonderful places to get off the beaten path and view some of the Pacific Northwest’s most intriguing marine plants and animals. Photographers will need to be careful getting their gear in and out of the area, but will be rewarded with exceptional shots. Be sure to carry signaling devices, particularly at sites where the chances of being swept away with the current are a reality. There is plenty of boat traffic offshore; but in close, the difficulty of access means you’ll probably be able to enjoy yourself without competing with scores of fishermen or lots of other divers. With proper planning and preparation, plus good luck so far as the weather is concerned, you might very well be able to add these to your list of favorite dive sites.