In an abundance of cold-water diving destinations on Vancouver Island, the Boeing 737 Dive Site manages to stand out. Its unique nature is credited to it being the world’s first artificial reef made from sinking a Boeing 737 plane. The decommissioned Boeing 737 was sunk in 2006 in the Stuart Chanel area near Chemainus. Over the years, the reef has attracted over 100 varieties of sea life, including Red Sea Urchin, Cloud Sponge, Octopus and RockFish. Due to the abundance of Red Sea Urchin on site, the official name for the reef is Xihwu, the local First Nations word for Red Sea Urchin. The plane sits roughly 30 meters below sea level and about 5 meters off the ocean floor. The water temperature remains relatively constant throughout the year, yet the recommended diving time is during the winter when the diving visibility is best. This unique site is a must-visit for all diving enthusiasts.
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