Hornby Island

The waters around Hornby Island are full of a rich variety of marine life. In any season, you can encounter Giant Pacific octopus, wolf eels, harbour seals, large ling cod and rock fish, colourful anemones and nudibranchs. Hornby is also well known for its excellent big animal dives. California and Stellar Sea Lions migrate through the fall and winter months. Six Gill sharks pass through each summer.

Favorite Dive Sites

Sea Lions

Diving with a graceful wild sea lion is an experience of a lifetime. Each winter, Stellar and California sea lions migrate to the Hornby Island area. They are males that have come to feed on herring that is gathering to spawn. After fattening up they return to their breeding areas. The Stellar Sealions, or Northern sea lion Eumetopias jubatas and the California sea lion Zalophus californianus both congregate at Hornby.

Both are members of the family Otariidae (eared seals). Their characteristics include external ear flaps and large hairless flippers that they can rotate forward to walk on land. You have a rare and unique opportunity to observe these amazing beasts in the wild. The sea lions are not baited or attracted in any way.

Six Gills

Sixgill sharks are probably the best-known reason to dive Hornby. Swimming beside a sixgill is an experience of a lifetime! The sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) is normally found in water thousands of feet deep. However, between May and September, sixgills enter shallow water at Flora Islet, near Hornby Island. It is still unknown why the sharks come to the area. Scuba divers have a rare and unique opportunity to observe these sharks in the wild. Every encounter is a special bit of luck!

Preferred Dive Operator

Hornby Island Diving

Hornby Island Diving is located on two acres of property at picturesque Ford Cove, Hornby Island. On the property is the guest lodge and tank fill station, along with the owners (Rob & Amanda) home, garden and workshops. Gourmet meals are served in the common kitchen and after a day of diving, guests can relax in the sauna or lounge area.

All of the dive sites near Hornby Island are mere minutes from the lodge. Our hosts will take us out for a two to ten minute run to the local sites on their comfortable and well appointed boat. With plenty of outdoor room for up to 14 divers as well as some indoor space to store dry items, the Hornby Island dive boat makes a comfortable and spacious diving platform.