Located within a residential neighborhood in the scenic village of Lions Bay, which is just off the Sea to Sky Highway on British Columbia’s Mainland, between Squamish and Horseshoe Bay, Kelvin Grove has a long standing history as one of the best dive sites the province has to offer. With plentiful marine life and magnificent underwater topography, the site has been the subject of unfortunate disputes between divers and local residents. Let’s take a closer look.
Kelvin Grove Marine Life and Topography
There are two separate walls here which drop away to beyond 130 feet; but as there is plenty to see in much shallower water, the site is suitable for intermediate divers and up. One wall, on the left side of the bay, is pocked with multiple small caverns, where you can find rockfish and even some giant pacific octopus, with dens marked by heaps of discarded crab shells. This wall starts at about 40 feet and ends at about 70 feet, and is covered in colorful anemones. Cloud sponges and boot sponges rise up in clusters, sheltering juvenile yelloweye rockfish and small lingcod. While the southern wall is fairly interesting to explore, this northern wall is the most popular portion of the site.
In addition to invertebrates such as vibrant orange burrowing cucumbers and purple sea stars, sun stars in shades of orange and yellow, and lots of spiky maroon sea urchins, the site is home to a number of different crab species, all the way from little hermit crabs to Pacific King Crabs. There are loads of nudibranchs here, plus red Irish lords and other interesting sculpins, several different rockfish species, and abundant greenlings. Last but not least, there are sea lions that seem to enjoy interacting with divers.
As with so many other dive sites around Vancouver, Kelvin Grove is susceptible to seasonal changes in visibility related to algae bloom. During the winter, visibility can be as much as 60 feet or so, while summertime visibility is often between 10 and 15 feet at best.
Kelvin Grove Access
At one time, divers could simply park in a lot near the beach and head right down to the water. Residents, understandably, did not appreciate the public urination and indecent exposure that some uncouth members of the diving community engaged in; much of this was due to the lack of change rooms and restrooms at the site. The community effectively restricted access to local divers and registered guests only; and, regulations were strictly enforced. After the bylaw was temporarily lifted in 2009, divers were once again welcomed; however, everyone needs to use courtesy in order to prevent another ban. There are signs in the parking lot asking for divers to respect local residents and not to change in or next to cars; in addition, facilities with running water have been added so you can forgo the lengthy hike from the highway that some diehard divers once undertook just to get a chance to visit the site. If you like, you can also access Kelvin Grove by kayak.
A marvelous site, and one you’ll very likely add to your list of favorite British Columbia dives, this is one to visit at least once. Grab your camera and your favorite dive buddy, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself longing to return straight away.