Porteau Cove
A popular training spot for new divers in Howe Sound, located north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish, this site is very diver friendly. Complete with picnic tables to gear up on, a freshwater shower, washrooms, stairs to and from the water, marked artificial reefs and a gorgeous view.
Skill Level:
All
Tide/Currents:
Use Point Atkinson Tide Charts
Type of Dive:
Shore
Max Depth:
Up to 90' with a majority less than 60'.
Surface Swim:
Short, medium, long
Staging Area:
Picnic tables are available though they do get quite busy on weekends in the summer. Stairs descend into the water for divers, providing an easy entrance and exit to the water.
Known Hazards:
Choppy surface when windy
Dive Description:
This site contains a series of artificial reefs and sunken shipwrecks. The artificial reef network has been constructed from chains
of tires, hollow concrete piles, concrete blocks, and steel
H-beams.
Sealife:
Crabs, lingcod, flatfish, tubeworms, rockfish, nudibranchs, sea cucumbers, sea stars, tubesnouts, jelly fish, plumose anemonies, shrimp, octopus, the occasional seal and more.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking for weekday diving. Weekends can be very busy with dive classes or boaters, especially in the summer. Parking is free.
Facilities:
The Washroom in the upper parking lot is open all year. The lower washroom is closed during the winter as is the rinse station at the stairs. Camp sites & cabins are available to rent. More info is available here.
Skill Level:
All
Tide/Currents:
Use Point Atkinson Tide Charts
Type of Dive:
Shore
Max Depth:
Up to 90' with a majority less than 60'.
Surface Swim:
Short, medium, long
Staging Area:
Picnic tables are available though they do get quite busy on weekends in the summer. Stairs descend into the water for divers, providing an easy entrance and exit to the water.
Known Hazards:
Choppy surface when windy
Dive Description:
This site contains a series of artificial reefs and sunken shipwrecks. The artificial reef network has been constructed from chains
of tires, hollow concrete piles, concrete blocks, and steel
H-beams.
Sealife:
Crabs, lingcod, flatfish, tubeworms, rockfish, nudibranchs, sea cucumbers, sea stars, tubesnouts, jelly fish, plumose anemonies, shrimp, octopus, the occasional seal and more.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking for weekday diving. Weekends can be very busy with dive classes or boaters, especially in the summer. Parking is free.
Facilities:
The Washroom in the upper parking lot is open all year. The lower washroom is closed during the winter as is the rinse station at the stairs. Camp sites & cabins are available to rent. More info is available here.
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