Jesse Island dive site – Nanaimo, BC
Jesse Island is a well-known local dive site sitting right at the entrance to Departure Bay in Nanaimo. It offers steep rocky terrain, small canyons, swim-throughs, and excellent marine life, all packed into a relatively compact area. When timed properly for slack water, it’s an enjoyable dive for both newer divers and very experienced ones.
Videos of Jesse Island
Recommended certifications and experience
This site works well for a wide range of divers:
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- Beginner divers can stay shallower and explore the upper reef
- Advanced divers can spend time along the deeper walls and canyons
- Depth varies depending on route, with plenty to see well within recreational limits
Good buoyancy control is important, especially near walls and swim-throughs.
Jesse Island dive profile overview
Jesse Island is a boat-accessed dive and is typically done as a live drop and pickup using a charter. Because of its position near the bay entrance, currents can build quickly, making proper tide planning essential.
While it is technically possible to access Jesse Island from shore, this is not common. Some very determined divers use the steep stairs at Stephenson Point Lookout, then surface swim across, or in rare cases, tech or CCR divers will navigate underwater using a compass heading. For most divers, boat access is by far the safest and most practical option.
The island itself is privately owned, so there is no land access on the island.
Underwater terrain
The dive features steep rock walls and sloping reefs with interesting structure throughout the depth range. You’ll find:
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- Rocky ledges and vertical faces
- Small canyons that funnel marine life
- A short but enjoyable swim-through
- Broken rock and sand patches at depth
The terrain drops away quickly in places, which makes this site fun to explore without requiring deep profiles. Divers can easily tailor the dive to their comfort level.
Marine life highlights
Jesse Island consistently delivers when it comes to life. Common sightings include:
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- Plumose anemones and crimson anemones covering the walls
- Rockfish tucked into cracks and overhangs
- Lingcod, especially near structure
- The occasional octopus
- Wolf eels hiding deep in the rocks
Night dives can be especially rewarding here, with increased crustacean activity and excellent contrast on the anemone-covered walls.
Currents and conditions
Jesse Island must be dived at or near slack tide. Currents can be strong outside of slack, and upwellings are possible due to the site’s location.
Typical conditions:
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- Visibility can be very good with proper timing
- Surface conditions may be choppy
- Cold water year-round, drysuit recommended
Always dive with a buddy and plan conservatively.
About the “HMCS Wrock”
You may hear locals joking about the HMCS Wrock. This is not a real shipwreck. It originated as a light-hearted joke after divers found a large rock formation that looked vaguely wreck-like and shared it on social media. It’s part of local dive humor, nothing more.
Why dive Jesse Island
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- Excellent structure in a compact area
- Reliable marine life
- Works for a wide range of experience levels
- Great night dive potential
- Easy to combine with other Nanaimo-area boat dives
If you’re diving with a charter or looking to explore classic Nanaimo boat sites, Jesse Island is well worth adding to your list. If you’d like to dive it via charter or want advice on conditions and timing, talk to the team at Nanaimo Dive Outfitters before heading out.
Jesse Island Location
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