Rock Of Life Port Hardy
Rock of Life: An Unforgettable Dive in Browning Passage, Vancouver Island
Browning Passage, located near Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is home to one of the most exciting cold water dive sites in the world – the Rock of Life. A world-renowned dive site that promises an unparalleled opportunity to experience the colorful marine life of the pacific northwest in all of its splendor.
The journey begins around the backside of this tiny island, (the "rock") where divers descend on the sheltered side of the island onto a sandy bottom with a beautiful kelp forest. As you follow along the contour of the rock wall on your right it eventually drops off into the abyss with a sheer wall cascading into the depths below.
The underwater terrain here is as dynamic and diverse as the marine life that thrives within it.
As you glide along the wall, you're greeted with a spectacle that's nothing short of amazing – cascading cliffs blanketed with every inch in white plumose. The sight is truly breathtaking on a bright sunny day with good visibility.
The Rock of Life is famous for its rich and varied marine biodiversity. Large and bright nudibranchs including orange peel nudibranchs, leopard dorids, are plentiful, showing off their vibrant colors and intricate patterns, while soft pink coralsand glove sponges, provide a splash of pastel amidst the deep blues. Glove sponges –are a sponge that resemble fingers or hands – add a touch of mystery to the underwater panorama. The colorful cabezon, red irish lords, and very elusive warbonnets can be spotted by divers with keen eyes and a bit of luck, adding an element of excitement to the dive.
This underwater marvel is also adorned with colorful anemones that sway gently with the currents.
The dive gradually concludes on some rocky ledges, leading up and around the backside of the island again andinto a lush kelp forest. This serves as the perfect place for your safety stop, allowing you to marvel at the serene beauty of the kelp fronds flowing in the current, filtering the sunlight from above and providing shelter for a myriad of small creatures.
The Rock of Life is known for its strong currents off-slack, adding a layer of thrill to the dive. These currents, however, are part of what makes the site so incredibly rich in life. They bring nutrients that feed the kelp and plankton, forming the base of the food chain that supports the incredible biodiversity of this area.
In essence, the Rock of Life is not just a dive site; it's an underwater odyssey that showcases the majesty and miracle of marine life in a way few places on earth can match. It's a must-see site for any diving enthusiast visiting British Columbia. Scuba diving in Port Hardy, is an adventure that you'll remember long after you've dried off and left the ocean behind. From the initial plunge to the final ascent, every moment at the Rock of Life is a celebration of the extraordinary beauty of the undersea world.
Difficulty: Advanced (can have strong currents)
Recommended Gas: Air or 32% Nitrox
Depth: Most of the eye candy is between 30 to 130 feet in depth. You can go deeper if you are properly trained and certified.
Who Can Take You? We went on a 4 day charter that was arranged through UB Diving out of Courtenay, British Columbia. Captain Sean and his boat "Good Vibrations" will take you on an amazing trip.
Where Did We Stay?
We stayed at the Quarterdeck Inn as it's right at the dock and was very convenient to get ready in the mornings and just walk to the boat ramp.
