Whytecliff Park
Whytecliff Park is a beautiful park located in West Vancouver near Horseshoe Bay. It is a very popular trainning site for new divers. A large site with many different areas to dive, there's always a lot to see no matter how many times you've been there. Perfect for beginners and experts alike, you can expect great facilities, a cafe, great views and free parking.
Skill Level:
Beginners, Intermediate, Expert, Technical
Tide/Currents:
Watch for current from the end of the left Islet to The Cut. Use Point Atkinson Tide Charts
Type of Dive:
Shore
Max Depth:
Up to 130'+ (sections of The Cut can reach 600')
Surface Swim:
Short, medium
Staging Area:
Picnic tables are available except during winter.
Known Hazards:
Currents at Day Marker, extreme depth in parts
Dive Description:
The center of the cove is a sandy bottom, appropriate for skill drills. This area gradually increases in depth to 100' or more. The
northwest side of the bay (heading toward the Day Marker) gradually increases in depth and features a wall. Watch the plumose for an indication of the current direction during tide exchanges. The Islet features a wall. Use extreme caution when reaching the end. Depth can 80' or more. The area known as 'The Cut' can be accessed in two ways, the easiest being a surface swim around the point. This area requires excellent buoyancy skill as the depth can far exceed recreational limits. Advanced/Technical divers are best in this location. There is also a steep hill that you can maneuver yourself down to access the cut, although this can be tricky when you are fully geared up.
Sealife:
Crabs, lingcod, flatfish, rockfish, greenlings, starfish, nudibranchs, Jelly fish, tubesnouts, sea cucumbers, tubeworms, plumose anenomies, prawns, cloud sponges, boot sponges, wolf eels, seals and more.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking for weekday diving. Weekends can be very busy, especially in the summer. Parking is free.
Facilities:
Semi-heated Washroom open year-round (closes earlier during the winter). Rinse station is open all year. The cafe is open for limited hours depending on the time of year.
Skill Level:
Beginners, Intermediate, Expert, Technical
Tide/Currents:
Watch for current from the end of the left Islet to The Cut. Use Point Atkinson Tide Charts
Type of Dive:
Shore
Max Depth:
Up to 130'+ (sections of The Cut can reach 600')
Surface Swim:
Short, medium
Staging Area:
Picnic tables are available except during winter.
Known Hazards:
Currents at Day Marker, extreme depth in parts
Dive Description:
The center of the cove is a sandy bottom, appropriate for skill drills. This area gradually increases in depth to 100' or more. The
northwest side of the bay (heading toward the Day Marker) gradually increases in depth and features a wall. Watch the plumose for an indication of the current direction during tide exchanges. The Islet features a wall. Use extreme caution when reaching the end. Depth can 80' or more. The area known as 'The Cut' can be accessed in two ways, the easiest being a surface swim around the point. This area requires excellent buoyancy skill as the depth can far exceed recreational limits. Advanced/Technical divers are best in this location. There is also a steep hill that you can maneuver yourself down to access the cut, although this can be tricky when you are fully geared up.
Sealife:
Crabs, lingcod, flatfish, rockfish, greenlings, starfish, nudibranchs, Jelly fish, tubesnouts, sea cucumbers, tubeworms, plumose anenomies, prawns, cloud sponges, boot sponges, wolf eels, seals and more.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking for weekday diving. Weekends can be very busy, especially in the summer. Parking is free.
Facilities:
Semi-heated Washroom open year-round (closes earlier during the winter). Rinse station is open all year. The cafe is open for limited hours depending on the time of year.
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