Victoria Vis conditions?

[MarkH]

A good 50 plus feet of visibility at Oak Point this morning. First time I have dove the site when I could actually "see" the site. Got down to 97 feet and could see a lot farther down. Looks like lots to explore here !!

Divegoose

Based on your visibility report, I went up there (Oak Leaf Drive park) today. Visibility was 50-80'. Even the shallows was crystal clear. During a second dive only an hour later, visibility in the shallows had dropped to "only" 20-30', but below 60' deep, it was still really nice and bright and clear. My max depth was 125' deep.

 

[Divegoose]

Glad you were able to get up to Oak Point and enjoy the great visibility. When were were in on Saturday it was crystal clear right from shore all the way out around the point. Best vis I have seen at this site - first couple of dives here we couldn't see very much at all. This site reminds me a bit of Cottam Point in that you go way out and work your way around the point with the option to continue into the nesxt bay, or turn around and follow your route back.

About half way around we found a pile of shells and other indications of an octopus. We did manage to find one small octopus in a crack at around 90 feet. Is this the point where you take a 0 degree heading and hit the wall a bit further out ? I would like to explore the area more.

Divegoose

 

[MarkH]

I'm not sure. I've never paid attention to compass headings here. When I'm swimming North along the wall at the point, the max depth is around 110' deep and then the wall ends and the rocks are more like ledges. I think this area is around 60-80' deep. If you continue to follow the sand/gravel slope (I'm guessing sort-of North) at around this depth (80'), you should soon reach the other rocky area. I ignored the main wall at the point yesterday and swam straight for the farther wall. My max depth there was 125' deep and the wall seems to go down to maybe 135-140' deep. There were lots more fish at that far wall compared to the wall at the point, including several yelloweye rockfish.

 

[Divegoose]

I'm not sure. I've never paid attention to compass headings here. When I'm swimming North along the wall at the point, the max depth is around 110' deep and then the wall ends and the rocks are more like ledges. I think this area is around 60-80' deep. If you continue to follow the sand/gravel slope (I'm guessing sort-of North) at around this depth (80'), you should soon reach the other rocky area. I ignored the main wall at the point yesterday and swam straight for the farther wall. My max depth there was 125' deep and the wall seems to go down to maybe 135-140' deep. There were lots more fish at that far wall compared to the wall at the point, including several yelloweye rockfish.

Thanks Mark - I was out there this morning, and was able to see where I should head down deeper. My buddies weren't interested in going deep, so we maxed out at 100 feet. Visbility was about 30 feet - a little better as we got deeper. Saw an octopus, a puget sound king crab, a big cabezon, and the biggest grunt sculpin I have ever seen. The grunt sculpin was in shallow.

Dive safe !!

Divegoose

 

[Divegoose]

About 40 feet of visibility on the big wall at Madrona yesterday. Still a bit soupy above 40 feet.

Divegoose

 

[MarkH]

Nice visibility today at Slugget Point (Saanich Inlet). It was 20-30' in the shallows and below 40' deep, it opened up to at least 50'.

 

[decompression]

Just heading off to deep cove, hoping for good Vis.

 

[MarkH]

Had 2 nice dives on Gabriola Island today. The first at the South point of Descanso Bay (near the ferry teminal), visibility was 15-20' in the shallows and 50' below 40' deep. At 100' deep I clearly saw a dogfish shark at the top of the wall (40' deep). The second dive was at the other end of the island at Dragon's Lane. Visibility was 20' in the shallows and it steadily got better as I descended. Below 60' deep, visibility was incredible: 80-100'. That's the best I've seen there.

 

[decompression]

Deep cove was great this weekend......30' or so and great when the sun was shining......almost looked tropical.

 

[MarkH]

Visibility at McKenzie Bight was really nice this afternoon. It was maybe 15' in the shallows and below 20' deep it gradually cleared. Below 50' deep, visibility was a really nice 50-80'. I couldn't believe how bright it was.