VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 217

Along Hammond Bay Road, north of downtown and beyond Departure Bay, is Piper's
Lagoon Park, encompassing an isthmus and a rocky headland that shelter a shallow la-
goon. A trail from the parking lot leads to the headland, with views of the mainland across
the Strait of Georgia. Continuing north, more trails lead through Neck Point Park to rocky
beaches and oceanside picnic areas.
RECREATION
Diving
A great variety of dives can be accessed from Nanaimo, including several vessels that
have been sunk especially for diving enthusiasts, such as the HMAS Cape Breton and
HMAS Saskatchewan, both 120-meter (400-foot) Navy destroyer escorts. The much smal-
ler Rivtow Lion, a rescue tug, was scuttled in the shallow waters of Departure Bay,
making it a popular spot for novice divers. Marine life is also varied, with divers mixing
with harbor seals, anemones, sponges, salmon, and “tame” wolf eels. Near the Departure
Bay ferry terminal, Ocean Explorers Diving (1690 Stewart Ave., 250/753-2055,
www.oceanexplorersdiving.com ) is a well-respected island operation, offering equipment
rentals, charters, guided tours (from $75 per dive including air), lessons, and accommoda-
tion packages.