Dive· Portland· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
G.B. Church Wreck (Portland Island)
48° 43.4′ N · 123° 21.3′ W · approximate
A 53 m former coastal freighter scuttled in August 1991 as an artificial reef off the east side of Portland Island. It rests on a flat sand bottom and is one of the best-known wreck dives near Victoria, with rockfish, octopus and wolf eels.
Practical
Position is approximate, off the east shore of Portland Island near the Pellow Islets; find the marker buoy over the wreck before you anchor and check chart 3476/3441. Reports put it in about 20 m (66 ft) of water. Diver-entry holes were cut during preparation. Dive near slack and fly a dive flag; ferry and pleasure traffic passes nearby. Do not anchor on the wreck itself.
Best for
Wreck diving
Season
Year-round for divers
Nearby
- Princess Bay (Portland Island)0.6 NM away
- Royal Cove (Portland Island)0.9 NM away
- Russell Island (Fulford Harbour entrance)2.7 NM away
- Canoe Cove Marina (North Saanich)3.1 NM away
- Pender Island Vessel Restricted Zone (Swanson Channel)3.4 NM away
- Van Isle Marina (Tsehum Harbour, Sidney)3.8 NM away
- Driftwood Centre (North Pender)4.4 NM away
- Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)4.4 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).