Shore diving on gabriola island

[StuartT]

So it looks like we might be spending a few days on Gabriola Island between Christmas and New years and I thought I would drag along my dive gear. I am the only diver in the family and am wondering if anyone has any info on shore diving there and also if anyone might also be there and lookiing for a dive buddy. Can't seem to find much online.

 

[MarkH]

I've only tried a few sites on Gabriola, but here's the links to my descriptions and photos of the ones I tried:
index
index
index
index
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Just watch out for current in the Gabriola Pass area. Normally people dive that area by boat. There are only a few days a year that I would only consider diving there from shore.

 

[MarkH]

I don't know why Scubaboard calls all my links "Index".

 

[DaleC]

Stuart,
I've dived Gabriola a few times soloing and putz around in some of the bays which are usually shallow but with stuff to look at anyways. Drumbeg has some ledges on the left side to look under and I don't go out too far to get swept by the current. Descanso is pretty sheltered but shallow as well. There are a couple of small bays at the end of Dragons lane that takes a little walking. I've also dived around the little island in the middle of Degnen bay where I had fun in reversing currents (but it was a boat dive).
You should ask MJ. He knows a young diving fellow that lives there.
I just looked at Marks "indexes". He is braver than me I think Taylor point is also called Gabriola sands if I'm not mistaken? I've thought many times of diving off Malispina galleries but the water looked so dark. Now I may have to give it a go.

 

[MarkH]

I think Taylor point is also called Gabriola sands if I'm not mistaken? I've thought many times of diving off Malispina galleries but the water looked so dark. Now I may have to give it a go.

Gabriola Sands park is the neck of land you drive across to get to the Taylor Point area. The bay in front of the Malaspina Galleries is sandy and shallow (about 30' in the middle). The wall I dive on requires a bit of a surface swim.

 

[DaleC]

Thanks Mark,
I will try Malaspina next time I'm there.

Stuart, when on Gabriola you should check out the petroglyphs. They are about half way down the island on the west side and you park in the United Church parking lot. A local map from the chamber of commerce shows the trail and it is also marked at the church. Not dive related but a nice little jaunt none the less.

 

[StuartT]

Thanks Mark and Dale. Dale do you mean Michel (MJ) ?

 

[DaleC]

Yes, or as I like to refer to him "the king of pop".