World class diving: Sooke style

Published in MapleLine Magazine: May 5, 2010

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by Karen Laharty

Think you have to travel all the way to Mexico or Australia for the ultimate dive experience? Look no farther than the incredibly rich shores of Sooke for world class aquatic adventure.

Renowned French diver and oceanographer Jacques Cousteau (1910-1997) rated our own Race Rocks – at the eastern entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca – as one of the top three dive sites in the world. According to Cousteau, we are second only to the Red Sea for nutrient-rich waters and diversity of marine life, making our coast one of the most sought-after by divers who know the value of a great diving locale. From shipwrecks to coral reefs and sea caves, the colour and splendour of the ocean’s abundance will not disappoint.

Whether you are new to diving or a seasoned pro, Scuba Stu, Sooke’s newest ocean adventure service, offers training for those interested in underwater endeavours. Students receive 12 hours contact and comprehensive training in the pool before heading to the ocean. The six-to-one student-teacher ratio is optimal. By the time diving entrepreneur Stewart Gordon has worked his magic, the only difference between the pool and the ocean will be the temperature.
“Many people take their dive training in warmer waters and when they come North, they have no cold water experience,” Gordon said in a phone interview in April. “We live in the best place on earth for the ultimate in dive training and underwater experience. Cold water training helps you dive comfortably anywhere.”

Variable water temperatures require a variation in gear. Wet suits are more commonly used in warmer waters where dry suits are preferable for cold water diving. “In Canada there are regulations for different thicknesses of suit: 7 ml for cold water and 3 ml for warmer.” Losing only a degree or two in the winter, our waters prove diveable year-round.

For passage to and from dive sites, Sooke-based Pacific Pinnacle Dive Charters can take up to seven divers to locations suited for every diving level ~ Race Rocks, Secretary Island, Beecher Bay, The Pinnacles (near Jordan River) and Swordfish Island (with its own underwater tunnel) ~ each with its own array of sea life. Divers have recently seen an 8-ft octopus, dinnerplate-size King Crab and the grey whale (since washed ashore at East Sooke) passing by within metres.

Tides contribute in part for the superior divability of local waters. “We have higher visibility and our waters are clearer than the Saanich Inlet because of the tidal exchange. Winter and early spring are great seasons for diving. The salmon haven’t started their spawn yet and particle matter is low. The colours are absolutely stunning. An experienced dive operator can show you the best places to go.”

“Businesses are taking a more active interest in this type of recreational vacation possibility and the volume of tourist travel it could generate,” says Scuba Stu. MM

Karen Laharty is a writer with the MapleLine Journalism Program.

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This article was first published on page 23 in the print edition of MapleLine Magazine (Summer 2010 issue - May-July 2010).