NANAIMO WRECK TREK
Explore HMCS Saskatchewan, HMCS Cape Breton, El Norte, and RivTow Lion with professional Vancouver Island cold-water expedition diving operations aboard Good Vibrations.
wreck Diving On
Vancouver Island
Nanaimo is home to some of the most iconic wreck diving in British Columbia featuring massive artificial reefs, dramatic steel structure, marine biodiversity, photogenic swim-throughs, and legendary cold-water diving environments.
UB Diving’s Nanaimo Wreck Trek is designed for divers seeking serious Vancouver Island wreck diving with professional marine operations, expedition-focused logistics, and fast access to British Columbia’s most respected artificial reefs.
These wrecks are not simply sunken ships. They are thriving cold-water reef ecosystems covered in giant plumose anemones, rockfish schools, lingcod, nudibranchs, cloud sponges, and Pacific marine biodiversity unique to Vancouver Island diving.
From underwater photographers and technical divers to advanced recreational divers and expedition explorers, Nanaimo has become one of Canada’s defining cold-water wreck diving destinations.
The Wrecks We Dive
HMCS Saskatchewan
Originally commissioned in 1963, HMCS Saskatchewan was intentionally sunk near Snake Island in 1997 creating one of British Columbia’s most famous artificial reefs.
- Approximately 80–130 feet
- Massive upright wreck profile
- Heavy marine growth
- Rockfish, lingcod, plumose anemones, and nudibranchs
- Exceptional photography opportunities
HMCS Cape Breton
Originally built in 1944 at Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, HMCS Cape Breton was intentionally sunk in Nanaimo in 2001 and remains one of the largest artificial reefs in British Columbia.
- Deck around 60–65 feet
- Bottom near 140 feet
- Towering multi-level steel structure
- Massive scale and dramatic relief
- One of the most impressive wreck profiles on Vancouver Island
RivTow Lion
This retired deep-sea rescue tug was sunk in 2005 creating a highly photogenic and marine-life-rich artificial reef environment.
- Starts around 50 feet
- Bottom near 80–90 feet
- Excellent marine life density
- Plumose anemones and tunicates
- Ideal for recreational wreck divers
El Norte
Originally built in 1917, El Norte has become one of Vancouver Island’s most fascinating historic wreck dives and thriving artificial reef environments.
- Historic steel wreck structure
- Layered relief and swim-through potential
- Dense marine biodiversity
- Rockfish, lingcod, cloud sponges, and giant plumose anemones
- Interactive 3D wreck model available through UB Diving
Real British Columbia Wreck Diving
Very few places in Canada offer such a concentrated collection of purpose-sunk artificial reefs accessible within practical day-charter range.
The combination of military history, massive steel structure, marine biodiversity, and Vancouver Island coastal scenery makes Nanaimo one of the most respected wreck diving destinations in British Columbia.
These wrecks are living artificial reefs continuously evolving beneath the Pacific waters of Vancouver Island and creating extraordinary opportunities for underwater photography, technical diving, cold-water training, and expedition exploration.
Book Your Nanaimo Wreck Trek
Professional wreck diving charters, Vancouver Island expedition diving, cold-water operations, and access to British Columbia’s most legendary artificial reefs.