Sea Dragon Charters

Sea Dragon Charters has been a fixture of the Vancouver diving scene since 1999. Located in Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, the centre provides direct access to the rich biodiversity of Howe Sound. Their operations are centred around the Expedition Centre, which sits within walking distance of their dedicated dive boat.

The team is composed of experienced Divemasters, instructors, and captains who are well-versed in the local waters. Their expertise spans a wide range of disciplines, ensuring that both recreational and technical divers are well-supported during their outings.

Beyond instruction, the centre is actively involved in marine conservation. They participate in various study and conservation programmes, reflecting a deep commitment to protecting the local underwater environments they explore.

The centre provides a comprehensive range of training through PADI, SSI, NAUI, and TDI affiliations. Beginners can start with Discover Diving and progress through Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Rescue Diver certifications.

For those looking to specialise, courses include Drysuit Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, Navigation, and Night Diving. They also offer specific training for photography and the Underwater Naturalist programme.

Technical diving is a significant part of their curriculum, with TDI-specific courses such as Intro to Tech, Advanced Nitrox, and Decompression Procedures. They also provide instruction in Sidemount and Self Reliant diving techniques.

The Topline is a custom 40-foot vessel with a 16-foot beam, specifically configured to meet the needs of divers. Powered by twin diesel engines, it carries up to 12 guests or divers per charter. The boat features a large dive platform for easy entries and exits, a topside viewing deck, and a heated cabin for comfort between dives.

On board, you will find an on-board compressor for cylinder fills, a marine toilet, and a heater. For longer days on the water, the crew provides hot drinks and soup. The vessel is also equipped with a BBQ, kayaks, and a stand-up paddle board for surface intervals, alongside essential safety gear including an emergency life raft, VHF, and GPS.

The Expedition Centre serves as a full-service dive shop, offering equipment sales and professional servicing. For those who prefer not to travel with their own kit, a complete range of rental equipment is available, including drysuits for the local conditions.

Technical divers will find support through the availability of Nitrox and rebreather capabilities. The facility is equipped with an on-board compressor to facilitate fills directly from the vessel.

The marine life in Howe Sound is exceptionally diverse. On the walls and rocky outcrops, you will find a vast array of anemones, including plumose anemones, tubicolous anemones, and crimson anemones. The rocky surfaces are often covered in colourful sponges, such as cloud sponges and chimney sponges, alongside bright orange zoanthids and various sea pens.

Macro life is abundant for those who know where to look. Divers can encounter a wide variety of nudibranchs, octopuses, and various species of crabs, including the Puget Sound royal crab, heart crab, red rock crab, hairy lithode crab, and sleeping crab. Look closely in the crevices for moray eels, blennies, gobies, and various species of shrimp.

In the open water and around the reefs, larger residents like common seals frequently visit. You may also encounter various species of sea urchins, such as purple, red, and green varieties, as well as large sea stars and brittle stars. The fish life is equally varied, featuring rockfish, lingcod, and various species of blenny and goby.

Divers should be aware that Passage Island Reef can experience strong currents, and visibility in that area may be lower during the spring and early summer due to river runoff from the Fraser River.

While the site selection varies, the local waters are best navigated with an understanding of the tidal movements and the potential for varying current strengths across the different reefs and canyons.