Dodd Narrows
British Columbia · Canada
Dodd Narrows is a dramatic tidal channel between Vancouver Island and Mudge Island where the sea squeezes through a 75-metre gap at up to 9 knots, creating one of the finest drift dives in Pacific Canada. The walls are smothered in white plumose anemones, orange and purple sea stars, and brilliant red and purple sea urchins, and divers are swept along at exhilarating speed on slack water transitions. Giant Pacific octopus are resident throughout the narrows, and large schools of juvenile fish ride the currents in glittering columns.
Conditions
Depth
5 to 28 m
Open water and up
Current
Often strong
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
12 to 22 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
7 to 15°C
drysuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Vis (m) | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Dark-Eyed Junco
Last confirmed Jun 30, 2026 · 429 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Spotted Towhee
Last confirmed Jul 7, 2026 · 443 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Anna'S Hummingbird
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 312 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
American Robin
Last confirmed Jul 7, 2026 · 706 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Giant Pacific Octopus
Last confirmed Nov 30, 2025 · 5 records
Very likely
Most dives
Sunflower Sea Star
Last confirmed Mar 28, 2026 · 12 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Hooded Nudibranch
Last confirmed Apr 26, 2026 · 6 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Gear