Diving in Nova Scotia

Best Time to Dive in Nova Scotia

The warmest water temperatures in Nova Scotia occur in August, averaging 17.1°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 1.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 3.3°C
• February: 1.6°C
• March: 1.3°C
• April: 3.0°C
• May: 6.6°C
• June: 11.0°C
• July: 15.9°C
• August: 17.1°C
• September: 16.0°C
• October: 13.9°C
• November: 10.4°C
• December: 6.5°C

Marine Life in Nova Scotia

Home to 80 recorded species including 48 reef fish, 9 sharks & rays, 5 crabs & lobsters, 5 whales & dolphins, 4 other, 2 starfish.

Recommended Packing List for Nova Scotia

Based on average water temperature of 8.9°C, currents 2 cm/s.

• Drysuit - water at 9°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
• Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
• Mask - essential for every dive
• Fins
• BCD - buoyancy compensator
• Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
• Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
• Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
• Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
• Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Nova Scotia

• Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Area - National Wildlife Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Port Hebert Migratory Bird Sanctuary - Migratory Bird Sanctuary (IUCN Category Ia)
• Ellens Creek Estuary Natural Area and Wildlife Management Area - Provincial Wildlife Management Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Mary’s Point - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Shepody Bay - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Musquodoboit Harbour - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Southern Bight-Minas Basin - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Maqpa’q Mi’kmac name - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category II)
• Falaises fossilifères de Joggins - World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Poverty Beach Sand Dunes Natural Area - Provincially Owned Natural Area (IUCN Category III)
• Holland Natural Area (Little Courtin Island) - Privately Owned Natural Area (INT) (IUCN Category III)
• Montague Wildlife Management Area - Provincial Wildlife Management Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Acadian Marshes (Egmont Bay) Natural Area - Privately Owned Natural Area (NCC) (IUCN Category III)
• Emerald Basin and Sambro Bank Marine Refuge - Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Scallop Buffer Zone (SFA 22) - Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Scallop Buffer Zone (SFA 24) - Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Western and Emerald Banks Marine Refuge - Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Port Joli Conservation Lands - Ownership by Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Grassy Island Nature Reserve - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• DUC Fee Simple Lands - Ownership by Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (IUCN Category IV)
• Isle Haute - Federal Real Property (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Morell River Conservation Zone - Provincially Regulated Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Knob and Round Islands Conservation Lands - Ownership by Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Hampton Marsh - Nature Preserve (IUCN Category Ib)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 120008) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 120015) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 120018) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 120019) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 120020) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 120275) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 141376) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 142194) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 120137) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 120191) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Privately Protected Area (NCC 141533) - Privately Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
• DUC Fee Simple Lands - Ownership by Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (IUCN Category IV)
• DUC Fee Simple Lands - Ownership by Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (IUCN Category IV)
• DUC Fee Simple Lands - Ownership by Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (IUCN Category IV)
• DUC Fee Simple Lands - Ownership by Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (IUCN Category IV)

Getting to Nova Scotia - Nearest Airports

• Halifax / Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Halifax - 7 km away, approx 22 min travel time
• CFB Greenwood (YZX), Greenwood - 112 km away, approx 137 min travel time
• Charlottetown Airport (YYG), Charlottetown - 166 km away, approx 196 min travel time