Copper Cliffs

Copper Cliffs is a boat dive near Quadra Island, British Columbia, in the north central area of the Campbell River dive sites. It is named for a cliff face stained with streaks of green copper oxide. The wall runs more than 91 m (300 ft) along the shore and descends to about 25 m (82 ft).

Boulders along the wall shelter starfish, sea urchins and burrowing sea cucumbers. An overhang at around 10 m is a good place to find plumose anemones. Lingcod, large rockfish, wolf eels and giant Pacific octopus live here, and the wall carries colourful sponges including yellow sulfur sponges, along with feather duster worms. Cormorants nest on small ledges above the water and eagles are often seen.

Expect moderate to strong current, with swirling flow along the cliff face, including downwellings and upwellings. There is nowhere to tie up or anchor, so a captain must stay at the helm of the boat, and you may be carried along by the current. Visibility varies, but the overhangs and ledges give good photo opportunities.