Scuba diving on Vancouver Island offers world-class cold-water experiences where vibrant marine life meets dramatic underwater landscapes. This site guides divers through the top dive sites, local stories, photos, weather, and everything else you need to explore Vancouver Island scuba diving safely and confidently.
Ten Mile Point, near Cadboro Bay in Victoria, is an excellent advanced level drift dive that can be done from shore. Accessed from a short but slightly steep and rocky entrance at the foot of White Rock Street in Saanich, this is an amazing dive with no shortage of marine life to see and photograph.
It is also a Provincial Marine Ecological Preserve, and consequently as divers we are not allowed to take anything but photographs. For some reason though, sport fishing is allowed here, so be aware of the potential for discarded fishing line or gear.
You definitely want to experience this site if you are a keen cold water diver. Despite the tricky entrance, the dive itself is awesome and is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart.
After entering the water, you can either stay somewhat near the entry point and use that as your exit, or just allow yourself to drift around the bend and about the time the current wanes is where you want to exit. That will be at the foot of Baynes Road, where a short walk will get you back to where you started.
The current can be quite strong here so you only want to be diving here during slack water and preferably with little water exchange. Make sure you consult an up-to-date Tide and Current Guide, or dive with someone who is familiar with the site. The local joke here is that you should carry your passport and ferry money if you dive this site, so you can get back to Victoria from whatever American landing you make after getting swept away. Ha ha right! Anyway, it is a great site, you just have to pick your times.
The Ten Mile Point dive site has lots of fish like the great cabezon, several species of rockfish, and if you look close you might find a grunt sculpin or two. Decorated war bonnets and octopi can also often be found here! Invertebrates like giant barnacles, plumose anemones and many other filter feeders are also to be found here.
Enjoy and dive safe, cheers.