The pristine waters around British Columbia offer countless opportunities for exceptional diving, for divers of every level. Also known as Friendly Cove, and historically known as King George’s Sound, Nootka Sound is not only the site where Captain Cook first came ashore in 1778, it is quickly gaining popularity as one of the most fantastic eco-tourism sites anywhere in the Pacific Northwest region. With enough diving to keep one busy for at least a week, plus fantastic wildlife that is rarely encountered anywhere else, it’s one of those places that is almost impossible to forget.
Nootka Sound Topography and Marine Life
The rugged coastline of western Vancouver Island is rocky and lined with old growth trees; beneath the surface, the same rugged profile continues, and one can imagine that some of the enormous boot and cloud sponges, which take hundreds of years to grow to a large size, might have been here when sailing ships first left their silent wakes so long ago; some of the largest are so old that native canoes must have plied the waters above them when they were small.
With ledges and steps, massive boulders that dwarf divers, and magnificent walls, the underwater topography is simply spectacular. Even more amazing are the colors you’ll encounter at dive sites around Nootka Sound; pink blankets of thousands of individual strawberry anemones, big dahlia anemones, and huge plumose anemones pulse in the current; incredible gorgonians and cup corals, and huge swathes of encrusting sponge are everywhere you look. Countless invertebrates, such as purple sea stars, red and yellow sun stars, and beautiful orange burrowing sea cucumbers, not to mention scores of nudibranchs share space on the rocks. Crustaceans, from tiny hairy spined crabs to decorator crabs with long spindly legs, to strange looking red fur crabs are here in abundance as well.
Fish include several different species of rockfish, including nesting Quillbacks can be found here, rubbing fins with greenlings, sculpins, lingcod, and perch. Salmon are sometimes encountered, and with them come seals and sea lions, bald eagles, bears, and even pods of orcas.
Maximum depth tends to be in the 90-100 feet at most sites, with plenty to see in shallow water. Visibility varies seasonally, with lower visibility during the summer algae bloom.
Getting to Nootka Sound
To get to Nootka Sound, you must first make your way to Vancouver Island, either by ferry or air. You can choose to come in on a scheduled commercial flight, then rent a car and drive to Nootka Sound; the closest airport is in Campbell River. Chartered flights go to Tahsis – you can add to your adventure by taking a chartered floatplane, which will give you a fantastic close up look at the coastline before you even arrive. Charter boats also come into the area, so your options are many. If you decide to drive, choose a fairly rugged vehicle, as the road into the area is not paved.
Once you arrive at Nootka Sound, you’ll find that there are plenty of cultural and historic attractions waiting to be discovered, including totems, the Yuquot lighthouse, and much more. A local dive shop offers air fills and sells equipment, including essentials like replacement straps, plus they offer single and double kayak rentals. Accommodations are simple, and it is recommended that you make reservations in advance. Whether you can stay for a weekend or an extended period of time, you are certain to have a memorable and enjoyable experience.