Dodd Narrows

Dodd Narrows is a narrow tidal channel separating Vancouver Island from Mudge Island in British Columbia, connecting Northumberland Channel to Stuart Channel south of Nanaimo. It is known primarily as a drift dive along its walls, since the channel funnels strong tidal currents that must be timed tightly around slack tide, with a maximum depth here of around 27 metres. Divers who catch it right encounter rock walls encrusted with plumose anemones, sea stars, and other current-loving invertebrates typical of the Strait of Georgia region. Boat traffic passes directly through the narrows, and divers have also reported kelp, orcas, and sea lions in the area. Because of the speed and unpredictability of the currents outside the slack window, this is rated an advanced dive best handled with local knowledge of the exact timing.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• North Pacific Spiny DogfishSqualus suckleyiReported here · unconfirmed
• Harbor SealPhoca vitulinaReported here · unconfirmed