Sundown Diving - Pacific Northwest

The team at Sundown Diving really get what it means to dive the Pacific Northwest. We've spent time with them, and they bring a down-to-earth vibe to cold water diving that we absolutely love. If you’re thinking about getting into drysuit diving, or just want to experience the vibrant, cooler waters of British Columbia, these are your people. They run a smooth operation, specialising in PADI courses, and they’ll have you comfortable and confident in no time. What makes Sundown Diving a standout for us? It’s their deep local knowledge. They know the best slack tides for Browning Pass and when the wolf eels are most likely to be out at Norris Rocks. We've seen them guide divers through kelp forests so thick you feel like you’re flying through an underwater jungle, pointing out giant pacific octopuses tucked into crevices. The cold water might sound intimidating, but the visibility here, especially in winter, can be spectacular, sometimes stretching to 30 metres. We’d suggest diving their early morning trips; the light filtering through the water columns is something else, and often you avoid any afternoon chop. Just remember your thickest hood and gloves – that 8-degree Celsius water is bracing, but the rewards are huge.

Location
Pacific Northwest, United States, North America
Coordinates
49.150000, -123.917000
Phone
+1 250-753-1880
Email
[email protected]
Website
http://www.sundowndiving.com
Certification Agencies
["PADI"]
Courses
PADI 5 Star Dive Center [padi:4280]
Address
22 Esplanade Street, Nanaimo British Columbia V9R 4Y7, Canada

Dive Sites Near Sundown Diving

Sundown Diving provides access to 15 dive sites in Pacific Northwest.

Other Dive Centres in Pacific Northwest

Best Time to Dive in Pacific Northwest

The warmest water temperatures in Pacific Northwest occur in August, averaging 16.5°C (up to 15.6°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 6.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 7.1°C (air: 6.3°C)
  • February: 6.9°C (air: 4.5°C)
  • March: 7.7°C (air: 6.6°C)
  • April: 9.5°C (air: 8.7°C)
  • May: 12.0°C (air: 11.7°C)
  • June: 14.0°C (air: 13.7°C)
  • July: 15.7°C (air: 14.9°C)
  • August: 16.5°C (air: 15.7°C)
  • September: 14.3°C (air: 14.0°C)
  • October: 11.4°C (air: 10.5°C)
  • November: 8.8°C (air: 7.4°C)
  • December: 7.7°C (air: 5.5°C)

Marine Life in Pacific Northwest

Home to 38 recorded species including 18 reef fish, 7 crabs & lobsters, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 sharks & rays, 2 clams & mussels, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Marine Life

Recommended Packing List for Pacific Northwest

Based on average water temperature of 11.0°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 11°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • 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