Madrona Point — Nanoose Bay's Best Shore Dive
Madrona Point is one of the most iconic shore diving sites in British Columbia. Known for its dramatic walls, easy access, and incredible diversity of marine life, it attracts local divers, traveling divers, and photographers year-round. The site offers three distinct dive routes that suit everyone from new open water divers to advanced and technical divers.
With plumose-covered ledges, deep overhangs, thriving octopus habitat, and frequent sea lion encounters, Madrona delivers some of the best cold-water diving on Vancouver Island.
Videos From Madrona Point
Recommended certifications and experience
Madrona offers options for all levels, but matching your route to your training is important.
Suitable for Open Water and beginners:
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- Small Wall
- Mid Wall
- Shallow routes (air or nitrox)
Recommended for Advanced and experienced divers:
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- Big Wall
- Big wall to mid-wall
- Areas beyond 100 feet
Most divers benefit from:
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- Navigation and buoyancy comfort
- Nitrox certification (28–32%) for the Big Wall
- Good cold-water experience
- Awareness of current and surface conditions
Guided dives are very popular here, especially for first-time visitors.
Madrona Point Dive profile overview
A versatile site with three main profiles and a mix of macro life, big-wall scenery, and deeper technical terrain.
Key highlights include:
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- Giant Pacific octopus in multiple dens
- Wolf eels on the main and mid walls
- Rockfish of every variety: quillback, copper, China, black, vermilion, and yelloweye
- Plumose and crimson anemone colonies
- Feather star fields deeper on the big wall
- Nudibranchs and macro life across all routes
- Frequent sea lion drive-bys
- A well-marked navigation line (fire hose) leading to the Big Wall
Visibility varies but winter often brings the clearest conditions. Summer blooms may cloud the top layer, but you can usually descend below it.
What to expect when you dive Madrona Point
What to Expect for Your Dive
Madrona is best dived on higher slack tide for easy entry. At low tide, the sandstone becomes steeper and slick, making entry trickier.
The swim to the Big Wall buoy is much easier underwater than on the surface. Surface currents can be deceptively strong here. If visibility allows, take a compass bearing adjusted for buoy swing (10–20 meters), descend, and swim the underwater route. The trip takes roughly 5–6 minutes.
Expect current on large exchanges, especially on the swim out. Plan your route accordingly and monitor conditions throughout the dive. Madrona is a year-round site, but winter often brings exceptionally stable visibility and more wildlife encounters.
Tide & Safety Notes
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- Best diving is at high slack
- Low tide entries can be awkward and slippery
- Strong current possible on large exchanges
- Sea lions are common - be aware of sudden passes
- Surface swim to the buoy is discouraged, especially when rough and windy
- Beware of potential fishing activity in summer
- Big Wall requires proper gas planning and depth awareness
Nanaimo Dive Outfitters regularly guides visiting divers here and can help plan the best route for your skill level.
Dive Charter FAQ
Madrona Point Scuba Diving Site Location
Charters for the HMCS Saskatchewan depart from the Brechin Boat Launch in Nanaimo.
At the launch you’ll find:
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- Pay parking
- Public washrooms
- Easy access to the loading area
If you park along the right hand side (when looking at the ramp) you'll have a short walk to the boat with your gear.
Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can park, gear up, and get settled before boarding.
Start Your Adventure
Planning to dive Madrona Point? Reach out to reserve rental gear or a local guide!
