www.nanaimodiveoutfitters.ca · Operator
Shore-diving overview covering Oak Leaf as one of the core Nanoose shore sites, plus washrooms and seasonal visibility.
Dive Spot Guide•
Oak Leaf
Cold-water shore dive with walls, bays, and macro life.
Scuba DivingShoreIntermediate
Local operator required
Local shore-dive guidance is helpful for route choice, tides, and conditions even though the site is shore-accessible.
Oak Leaf is a Nanoose Bay shore site with linked routes, parking, washrooms, and a lot of cold-water life from octopus to sea lions.
About Oak Leaf
Oak Leaf is a versatile Nanoose Bay shore site with a broad entry area, a main wall, a deeper wall, and a pinnacle, plus parking and a toilet on site. It suits experienced cold-water divers and guided or self-led shore dives, with the best route shaped by tide, swell, and current, and the calmer bays offering a lower-key entry when you want an easier session.
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Research Estimate At Oak Leaf
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 17m
AccessSimple entry
Aquatic LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentModerate current
SurgeStrong surge
Where Is Oak Leaf?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Oak Leaf Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
9m - 25m
Depth Note
The site links multiple routes, from a 9-12m big bay to the main wall around 23-25m, with deeper sections beyond that.
Best Season
Year-round; fall and winter usually bring the clearest water and the best chance of seeing lumpsuckers.
Typical Conditions
Cold-water shore diving with multiple linked routes, anemone-covered walls, and changing conditions by tide and weather.
Safety & Access At Oak Leaf
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Cold waterStrong currentSurge
Safety Notes
Use cold-water kit, watch surge on the main wall and right side, and time the entry and exit around tide and weather.
Access Restrictions
Best approached as a shore dive from Es-hw Sme~nts Community Park with a short gear carry; some routes are weather-sensitive.
Legal Notes
Respect the community park and its sensitive coastal luffs, and follow local access and conservation guidance.
Local Intel For Oak Leaf
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba
Excellent for day dives, night dives, and cold-water training, with enough structure for both newer and advanced divers.
Freedive
Not a primary freedive site; the cold water and wall terrain make scuba the better fit.
Snorkel
Snorkelling is possible in the shallows on calm days, but the site really rewards scuba depth.
Oak Leaf Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Oak Leaf.
Current Snapshot
No data
🌥️Variable
Sunrise
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Time
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Sunset
No data
Surface / Entry
Wind No data · Tide No data
Sea State
Swell No data · Period unavailable
Visibility Outlook
Rain chance No data
Wind
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Swell
No data
Exposure Profile at Oak Leaf
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Exposure Note
Hourly forecast data is not available yet.
Wildlife at Oak Leaf
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Oak Leaf
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
No Dive Logs Yet
Be the first to log a dive at this spot and share your experience!
Dive Spot Log Averages At Oak Leaf
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility17m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
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Oak Leaf Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Oak Leaf Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
www.pqbnews.com · News
Local news coverage of the opening of Es-hw Sme~nts Community Park in Nanoose Bay.
www.scubabc.ca · Directory
Detailed Oak Leaf community-park dive map with parking, outhouse, depth bands, and common cold-water species.
www.scubadiving.com · Independent
Independent magazine article describing Oak Leaf as a popular cold-water shore dive and noting winter night-dive conditions.
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