A scuba diving incident at one of Canada’s most recognised shore diving locations has claimed the life of a 50-year-old man.
According to reports from the West Vancouver Police Department, emergency crews were called to Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver shortly before 1:30 p.m. on May 24 following reports of a diver in distress in the water. Multiple agencies responded, including West Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services, BC Emergency Health Services, and the Canadian Coast Guard. Tragically, the diver was declared deceased at the scene.
Authorities say the man’s family has been notified and that the death is not considered suspicious at this time. No further information regarding the cause of the incident has been released.
Whytecliff Park is widely regarded as one of British Columbia’s premier shore diving destinations, attracting recreational, technical, and underwater photography divers from across Canada and beyond. Located near Horseshoe Bay in Howe Sound, the site is known for its dramatic underwater terrain, marine life encounters, and steep underwater walls that descend well beyond recreational limits.
Local dive operators describe the site as suitable for both training and advanced diving, although conditions can become challenging due to strong currents, cold water, low visibility during plankton blooms, and rapidly changing surface conditions.
The incident has once again highlighted the unforgiving nature of cold-water diving environments, even at world-renowned dive sites frequented by experienced divers. Whytecliff has seen previous fatal diving accidents over the years, reflecting both the popularity of the site and the demanding conditions that can exist beneath the surface.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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