Strathcona / Gray Rocks
Rock from the beach
Strathcona Rd Grey Rocks Island dive site offers an easy access fun dive for all skill levels. Dive in the sandy bottom shallows between the shore and Grey Rocks Island to see hoards of crabs, sea cucumbers, flounders, sculpins and nudibranchs. Bottom kelp hides many of the smaller life so be sure to have a peek underneath. Swim to the Island on the channel side to and find a small wall rich with life due to the strong currents. The wall and sloping sandy bottom is home to purple sea stars, lingcod, plumose anemones and hoards of crabs. To take in both areas surface swim to the South side of the Island by the boat dock. Descend and follow the bottom to the channel side keeping the rocks on your left. The wall is on the east or channel side of the island. Either circumnavigate the island, or turn back, and swim the shallows to the beach. This site is current dependant so be sure to dive on the slacks. There are a lot of docks between the island and shore. Boat traffic is common so use caution when surface swimming and especially when re-surfacing.
Grey Rocks Island is directly across the channel from Belcara park but a much less busy location. A perfect spot for scuba crabbing and close to Deep Cove for a post dive snack.
The access to the beach is from a small park with a small level paved parking area just off Strathcona Rd. The park has several benches and picnic tables you can set up on or just gear up from your vehicle. The shore is shallow so plan to dive on a high tide to shorten the walk.
A block before you arrive at the small park there is another water access point from a public dock. Parking is very limited there and water entry is from the dock or adjacent beach.
How to get there:
The Grey Rocks Island dive site is on the West side of Indian Arm near Deep Cove. Heading to North Vancouver on the Seconds Narrows bridge take exit 22B Fern St East which immediately joins Mt Seymour Parkway. Follow Mt Seymour Parkway until you intersect Deep Cove Rd at the bottom of a steep hill. Turn left then make the first right onto Strathcona Rd. Drive just under 1 Km and the park will be on your right.
Note: There are no washroom facilities at the park. Deep Cove is nearby for a pit stop but parking can be challenging. Alternately as you are traveling along Mt Seymour Parkway you will pass Parkgate Village Shopping Center at the Roche Point Dr intersection which has a gas station and a couple fast food places that you can pay a visit to.
Skill Level:
Beginners, Intermediate
Tide/Currents:
Currents can be a factor especially on the wall side as you are more exposed. Gradually sloping beach so best to dive at high tide on the slack. Use Vancouver Tide Charts.
Type of Dive:
Shore
Max Depth:
70 + feet
Surface Swim:
Short/Medium for the shallows, Medium/Long for the wall
Grey Rocks Island is directly across the channel from Belcara park but a much less busy location. A perfect spot for scuba crabbing and close to Deep Cove for a post dive snack.
The access to the beach is from a small park with a small level paved parking area just off Strathcona Rd. The park has several benches and picnic tables you can set up on or just gear up from your vehicle. The shore is shallow so plan to dive on a high tide to shorten the walk.
A block before you arrive at the small park there is another water access point from a public dock. Parking is very limited there and water entry is from the dock or adjacent beach.
How to get there:
The Grey Rocks Island dive site is on the West side of Indian Arm near Deep Cove. Heading to North Vancouver on the Seconds Narrows bridge take exit 22B Fern St East which immediately joins Mt Seymour Parkway. Follow Mt Seymour Parkway until you intersect Deep Cove Rd at the bottom of a steep hill. Turn left then make the first right onto Strathcona Rd. Drive just under 1 Km and the park will be on your right.
Note: There are no washroom facilities at the park. Deep Cove is nearby for a pit stop but parking can be challenging. Alternately as you are traveling along Mt Seymour Parkway you will pass Parkgate Village Shopping Center at the Roche Point Dr intersection which has a gas station and a couple fast food places that you can pay a visit to.
Skill Level:
Beginners, Intermediate
Tide/Currents:
Currents can be a factor especially on the wall side as you are more exposed. Gradually sloping beach so best to dive at high tide on the slack. Use Vancouver Tide Charts.
Type of Dive:
Shore
Max Depth:
70 + feet
Surface Swim:
Short/Medium for the shallows, Medium/Long for the wall
Arial view showing boat docks
Staging Area:
There is a small park at the entrance to the beach with parking and gearing up from your vehicle. Some picnic tables and park benches are also available.
Known Hazards:
Boats, current, docks and cables.
Dive Description:
This site is characterized as a straight forward, easy entry, medium swim, peaceful dive. Usually not too many divers at this site at any one time. Visibility can be terrible in the summer (5' or less).
Sealife:
Lots of crabs, flatfish, lingcod, sea cucumbers, starfish, jelly fish, tubeworms, plumose anemones, sea pens and more.
There is a small park at the entrance to the beach with parking and gearing up from your vehicle. Some picnic tables and park benches are also available.
Known Hazards:
Boats, current, docks and cables.
Dive Description:
This site is characterized as a straight forward, easy entry, medium swim, peaceful dive. Usually not too many divers at this site at any one time. Visibility can be terrible in the summer (5' or less).
Sealife:
Lots of crabs, flatfish, lingcod, sea cucumbers, starfish, jelly fish, tubeworms, plumose anemones, sea pens and more.
Parking area in front of the beach
Parking:
There is about 6 parking spots available at the small park. Consider car-pooling to ensure enough parking for all. Keep the beach clean and be respectful of the residents.
Facilities:
None on site. Deep Cove and Parkgate Village Shopping Center are about 2 km away.
Accommodations:
None required. Local dive.
There is about 6 parking spots available at the small park. Consider car-pooling to ensure enough parking for all. Keep the beach clean and be respectful of the residents.
Facilities:
None on site. Deep Cove and Parkgate Village Shopping Center are about 2 km away.
Accommodations:
None required. Local dive.
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