Discover BC’s Underwater World at Porteau Cove

By Elke Porter | WBN News Sea to Sky | April 15, 2025

Nestled along the breathtaking Sea-to-Sky Highway, just 38 kilometers north of Vancouver, Porteau Cove Provincial Park beckons scuba divers from across British Columbia and beyond. Established in 1981 as the province’s first underwater park, this marine oasis captivates with its vibrant ecosystem, boasting over 100 species like lingcod, giant Pacific octopuses, and anemones.

Two sunken vessels—the Granthall and Centennial—alongside artificial reefs crafted from concrete, steel, and tires, create a diver’s playground teeming with life. Its easy shore access, depths of 6 to 18 meters, and proximity to the city make it a safe and spectacular destination for divers of all levels, offering an unforgettable underwater adventure just a short drive from Vancouver’s urban pulse.

Nestled on the eastern shores of Howe Sound, Porteau Cove Provincial Park spans 50 hectares of protected marine and coastal terrain, offering a diver’s paradise just 38 km north of Vancouver. Easily accessible via the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99), this underwater haven requires no special permission to explore—just adherence to provincial park rules. These include prohibitions on boat diving within park boundaries and harvesting marine life, ensuring the preservation of its vibrant underwater ecosystem teeming with over 100 species.

The Sea-to-Sky Corridor refers to the area along Highway 99, stretching from Vancouver through Squamish to Whistler in British Columbia. Porteau Cove Provincial Park falls squarely within this scenic corridor, known for its stunning coastal and mountain landscapes.

The dive site at Porteau Cove features two sunken vessels, the Granthall and Centennial, with the 41-meter WWII-era minesweeper Nakaya located outside the park boundaries in deeper water. Artificial reefs made from concrete, steel, and tires have transformed the seafloor into a thriving marine habitat, home to over 100 species such as lingcod, giant Pacific octopuses, starfish, rockfish, and anemones. With depths ranging from 6 to 18 meters, it’s a welcoming site for divers of all skill levels.

Marine Recreation Action Plan

BC Parks is committed to providing sustainable marine recreation opportunities. To help our staff meet this commitment, they launched the Marine Recreation Action Plan (MRAP), which targets five key goals:

Better understand the natural and cultural values of marine areas
Strengthen relationships with First Nations coastal communities
Provide high-quality marine recreation, today and in the future
Enhance collaboration with other government agencies
Promote ocean stewardship and responsible marine recreation

Respect wildlife

British Columbia’s marine parks are home to everything from shellfish to killer whales. They are also important habitats for saltwater and freshwater fish and seabird colonies. To thrive, wildlife needs a clean, peaceful environment.

Use binoculars to view wildlife and only take pictures with a telephoto lens. Maintain regulated distances from marine mammals and bird colonies. Stay at least 100 m away, except in the following cases:

400 m from killer whales in southern BC coastal waters
200 m from killer whales elsewhere
200 m from whales, dolphins, and porpoises when resting or with calves

Porteau Cove Provincial Park, though lacking exact visitor statistics, draws crowds due to its proximity to Greater Vancouver’s approximately 2.8 million residents, making it a bustling hub, especially in summer when diving conditions peak. Visibility, typically 10–15 meters, can fluctuate with tides and weather, requiring divers to stay vigilant. No fatalities have been publicly reported at this beginner-friendly dive site, but safety remains paramount—divers are urged to consult tidal charts and monitor currents before plunging into Howe Sound’s dynamic waters.

Nestled along Howe Sound, Porteau Cove Provincial Park is a diver’s haven, but it’s not alone in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor. Nearby dive sites like Whytecliff Park (20 km south), with its vibrant walls and seals, and Britannia Beach (8.5 km north), home to wrecks like the Coast Guard ship Ready, offer diverse underwater adventures within a 5–30-minute drive. Other spots, such as Ansel Point and Kelvin Grove, provide wall dives and marine life for varied skill levels.

While dive certification isn’t offered on-site, shops like Rowand's Reef or Vancouver’s International Diving Centre provide PADI training, gear rentals, and guided tours to these sites. Porteau Cove’s year-round campground, with 44 drive-in and 16 walk-in sites, boasts hot showers (March–November), panoramic views of Howe Sound, and quick access to this diver’s playground network.

From its fascinating underwater history to its natural beauty, Porteau Cove continues to be a must-visit destination for divers, campers, and ocean lovers alike.

#Porteau Cove #Scuba Diving BC #Underwater Adventure #Dive BC #Marine Park Canada #Sea To Sky Highway #Explore Howe Sound #Eco Tourism BC #WBN News Sea to Sky #Elke Porter

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