the underwater visibility. Te tidal and inter-tidal marine life of the park’s foreshore areas has a rich diversity of marine species to see, along the shore and underwater. A scuba diving area has been developed
with sunken ships and artificial reefs that have greatly enhanced sub-tidal marine life. Octopus, anemones, and lingcod live in and around the artificial reef. Fortunately for us, there is a
campground adjacent to the dive site, Porteau Cove Provincial Park, allowing us to spend the weekend in comfort and warmth aſter each dive. Porteau Cove Provincial Park is
My sons Peter and David making some final adjustments before entering the undersea world. Diving In At Porteau Cove Provincial Park Story and pictures BY CAROL-ANN GIRODAY
Favourite things to do when RV’ing are spending time near the ocean and sharing that experience with my family. My husband Rick and I love to scuba dive and recently both my adult sons acquired
their PADI Scuba Certification and wanted to join us for a weekend of diving at popular Porteau Cove Marine Park. Te best time to dive in the BC waters is during the winter months because there is no plankton bloom and less small plant life in the water to interfere with
18 RVT 143 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
located on the eastern shore of British Columbia’s most southerly mountain ford, Howe Sound, about 35km north of Vancouver on the ‘Sea-to-Sky’ Highway 99. When we researched this park on the Internet before setting off we learned the French word “Porteau” translates to “Water’s Gate”. Tis name dates back to 1908 when mining the gravel and sand deposits here began to supply Vancouver. A small community of employees lived here until the beginning of the Depression. Te park provides 44 vehicle camping
spots, five of which are double sites and two pull-through, and 16 walk-in sites including waterfront campsites for tents and RV’s, electrical hookups, day-use picnic sites, water, and other helpful amenities such as showers, flush toilets, and a sani-station. Tere are two paved double-wide boat launches but fishing in the park itself is not permitted. Te boat launch is beside the small
staircase that takes the scuba divers into the water. While we were there the launch was littered with driſtwood that had accumulate during the winter storms. If we had brought our inflatable boat for fishing, crabbing or prawning there was ample parking available for trailers in the day-use area. Kayaks and canoes would be easily launched from this location even with the clog of driſtwood. Being winter, only the Campground A
area was available to us with only three other RV’s and two tenting neighbours enjoying the solitude along with us. Te sani-station was closed due to winter freezing conditions. Because there is little
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