Victoria Vis conditions?

[MarkH]

At McKenzie Bight this afternoon, visibility was 6-8' in the shallows and below 20' it cleared to about 40'. My max depth was 115' deep and down there the visibility seemed to drop to about 20-30'. By the end of the dive the visibility in the shallows had improved to about 10'. Basically, not outstanding for McKenzie Bight, but good enough to make diving there worthwhile.

 

[MarkH]

I did 2 dives up in the Nanoose area today. At Dolphin Beach, visibility was about 15' in the shallows. Between 20-30' deep, there was a murky, green layer where visibility was less than 10'. Below 40' deep, visibility was a nice 50-60'. I did a second dive at nearby Bonito Crescent. Visibility was about the same, but since it was later in the afternoon, it seemed a bit gloomier in the deeper areas.

 

[MarkH]

Visibility was a worse-than-usual 10-15' near the Possession Point area (off Sooke) today. There was lots of stringy plankton floating around and the surge was stirring up the bottom as well.

 

[MarkH]

Still not the greatest visibility for the time of year in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I did 2 dives today at Christopher Point and Swordfish Island. Near shore, visibility was only around 10'. Farther out, it improved to maybe 20'. There seemed to be sediment suspended in the water at all depths.

 

[MarkH]

Nasty visibility at Willis Pt. today. It was one of those days where you want to say visibility in the shallows was measured in inches, but realistically, when I held my hand out I could see it plus maybe an extra foot so it was probably about 4'. There wasn't a noticeable layer, but visibility slowly improved with depth. By 50' deep, visibility was 10'. Down on the wall below 80' deep, visibility was maybe 30'. Despite it being in the middle of a sunny day, it was too dark to see where I was going without a light.

 

[Divegoose]

Oak Point was good yesterday, once we got below about 20 feet. Estimate 30 - 40 feet of vis at depth. Wind and waves had really stirred up the shallows, making an almost zero visibility exit.

Divegoose

 

[MarkH]

Pretty bad visibility at Henderson Point today. It was similar to Willis Point a couple of days ago. In the shallows, it was around 8' (I could see the end of my fins plus a foot or two). By 50' deep, visibility was 10-15' and below 60' deep, it cleared nicely to maybe 40' visibility. Of course with the reduced light it was kind of gloomy.

 

[MarkH]

Visibility at Ogden Point today was about 20' out at the end of the breakwater. Closer in (back around the second corner) it was a bit less, more of a green and stirred-up 15'.

 

[MarkH]

Great visibility at Orlebar Point (Gabriola Island) today. It was 25' in the shallows as I swam out to the wall. Below 40' on the wall, visibility was 80'+.

 

[Divegoose]

Very good vis on the big wall at Madrona Point this morning. Estimate 50 feet of vis. Was at Oak Point a couple of days ago, and vis was good on the point itself. Stirred up somewhat in the shallows due to wind and waves.

Divegoose