Which Dive Operator Best For Seals Dive?

[cleung]

I want to come to Vancouver Island again for more scuba diving but this time I specifically want to do the dive to see/interact with stellar seals. Which dive operator(s) would be best for this specific dive and what is the best month to do it?

 

[MarkH]

I want to come to Vancouver Island again for more scuba diving but this time I specifically want to do the dive to see/interact with stellar seals. Which dive operator(s) would be best for this specific dive and what is the best month to do it?

The Marine Mammal Protection Act was updated in 2018 to make it illegal to swim or interact with marine mammals, including seals and sea lions. Marine Mammal Regulations Since then I don't think charters advertise the sealion dives anymore. I've seen divers post video online with sea lions swimming past during their dive and they got a call from DFO warning them that it's illegal. So you can't go in the water with the intent of diving with sea lions, but if you go for a dive to see octopus or anemones and sealions happen to swim past, then that's fine (so far). Your best bet for this to happen is in the Nanoose area (Madrona Point, Cottam Point, Wall Beach) in the Winter.