Whytecliffe is a favourite of the greater Vancouver diving and freediving community. But there are actually other diving locations than those at the main bay! If you are growing tired of the main bay in Whytecliffe, you should consider diving at one of the other 7 freediving locations in and around Whytecliffe park. Here we list them all, starting with the least known ones.Whytecliffe Park can be subject to strong currents and poor visibility, visbility being better in the winter months. There is not too much boat traffic and there are amenities. You can rinse off all your gear with fresh water and there is ample parking and facilities. If a strong southwesterly wind is blowing (common during fall and winter) the waters on the south side of Whytecliffe (the cut, the islet) will be rough so evade to the north side and vice versa.
The northern walls
The northern walls can be reached from the main parking lot. Walk north on Arbutus road until you reach the broad beach from where you can dive Lookout Point and Whytecliffe Express. The northern walls are a stretch of steep walls that go from the beach for about 2 km. They get progressively deeper as you get farther away. The nicest walls are in front of the big houses on Isleview Road (if you know of an alternate entry here, please let us know).
Copper cove
Copper cove is a cove to the north east of Lookout Point and the Northern Walls. If you want to get to Copper Cove drive to the end of Copper Cove Lane and enter on the beach. There is a lot of smaller life and a shallow wall on the right side of the cove. The wall gets progressively deeper if you swim farther out.
Whytecliffe Express
The Whytecliffe Express is drift dive starting from the beach on the end of Arbutus Road. This drift dive will take you a fair while so maybe don’t do it in the heart of winter. It takes you all the way from Lookout Point to the Cut on an outgoing tide, with lots to see. Beware of a back eddy if the tidal exchange is high.
Lookout Point
Lokout point is the point with the lighthouse on the end of Arbutus road (to your left if you are standing on the beach). Extreme currents, but a nice dive if you hit the tide just right. If you don’t, you’re in for the Whytecliffe Express whether you like it or not!
Bachelor Bay
Bachelor Bay reportedly has some walls, but since they start at 10 meters depth this may not be a great place for freedivers. Still, if you are getting bored with the other sites of Whytecliffe Park you might as well try it. It is on the end of Dufferin Avenue and you can park right in front of the beach. If you do go check this out, let us know and leave a review!
The Cut
The cut is a very narrow beach that you can get to through some steep steps. It is a very good place to enter since it will be calm inside the cut. You may see a seal when you exit the cut.
The Islet
You will see the Whytecliffe Islet on your left if you walk down to the main beach from the parking lot. You can’t miss it. There is decent diving all around the island, but make sure you beware of current once you get to the point.
[gmw_single_location]
What is your favorite Whytecliffe dive? Let us know in the comments!
