About NDO

Nanaimo Dive Outfitters has grown into one of Vancouver Island’s most trusted and active dive centers, built by a team that genuinely loves diving and the marine environment we get to explore every day.

Our instructors, divemasters, captains, and in-store staff all share the same goal, to help divers feel confident, safe, and inspired in our local waters.

We’ve earned a reputation for friendly service, solid training, and a welcoming community of divers from all backgrounds. Whether you’re taking your first breaths underwater or preparing for a technical expedition, our team is here to support every step of your diving journey.

Training for every level

We offer a complete progression of SDI and TDI programs, from beginner scuba certifications through to advanced specialties, drysuit training, decompression procedures, trimix courses, and rebreather programs. Our instructors are patient, experienced, and passionate about helping divers build real-world skills.

A full-service dive center

Nanaimo Dive Outfitters provides everything you need for safe and enjoyable diving on Vancouver Island, including:

• • Air fills, Nitrox, oxygen fills, and full trimix blending
  • Rebreather-friendly support and consumables
  • Technical diving equipment, stage bottles, and rentals
  • Scuba and snorkeling gear for all experience levels
  • Equipment servicing and maintenance
  • Guided shore dives and private instruction
  • Local and international group dive travel

If you need help choosing gear, our shop team is happy to walk you through options and fit you properly for cold-water comfort.

Explore local waters with us

Our dive boat, The Shepherd, is a comfortable and capable 35-foot platform that runs regular charters to Nanaimo’s famous wrecks, reefs, and walls. With experienced captains and knowledgeable crew, you’ll enjoy safe, smooth trips to sites like the HMCS Saskatchewan, HMCS Cape Breton, Snake Island Wall , Clark Rock, and more.

For shore diving, our divemasters love sharing the best local sites, seasonal marine life, and safe entry/exit routes. We also host regular club dives that welcome divers of all experience levels.

A team passionate about marine life

Our staff are active surveyors with REEF.org and deeply committed to local marine ecology. We spend countless hours in the water studying Vancouver Island’s species and ecosystems, and we enjoy passing that knowledge on to our students and guests. Whether you’re interested in nudibranchs, giant Pacific octopus, wolf eels, or deeper technical habitats, we’re always excited to share what we see and learn.

Our mission

We want to help every diver connect with the incredible underwater world we have right in our backyard. Through high-quality training, safe practices, and a supportive community, our goal is simple, to show you more of the world we live in and help you enjoy it for years to come.

If you’d like help getting started, upgrading your skills, or planning your next dive, we’d love to see you in the shop.