Toronto Local Scuba Diving
Written by Mario Medarevic | Dive World Team & Friends
Published on Diveworld.ca
Ontario is home to some of the most diverse and rewarding freshwater diving in North America. From vibrant marine life and shipwrecks to calm training sites and stunning underwater topography, divers of all levels will find something to love—right in Toronto’s backyard.
Whether you’re just beginning your underwater journey or seeking out new adventures, these dive sites offer unforgettable experiences across the province.
Often referred to as Canada’s scuba diving capital, Tobermory boasts more than 20 shipwrecks, dramatic underwater cliffs, and some of the clearest freshwater in the country. Shallow sites like the Sweepstakes are beginner-friendly, while deeper dives like the Arabia challenge seasoned explorers.
📍 Best for: All levels
🌊 Highlights: Shipwrecks, clear water, group trips available with Dive World
Brockville is famed for its exhilarating drift dives and historical wrecks. With powerful currents and sites like the Lillie Parsons and Robert Gaskin, it’s a playground for experienced divers. The biodiversity and visibility make it one of Ontario’s top-rated underwater destinations.
📍 Best for: Advanced divers
🌊 Highlights: Fast current, well-preserved wrecks, high visibility
Just minutes from downtown Toronto, Humber Bay Park is one of the city’s most convenient and frequently visited dive sites. Ideal for training dives, refreshers, and quick practice sessions, it offers easy shore access and calm conditions. Divers will find submerged boats, platforms, and other structures that make it a great location for honing basic skills and building confidence underwater.
📍 Best for: Beginners and local refreshers
🌊 Highlights: Shore access, submerged structures, perfect for training and practice
A calm, controlled environment with sunken boats, training platforms, and marked routes makes this site excellent for skill development. Popular for Open Water certification and night diving alike, it’s a top-tier training location.
📍 Best for: Training and practice
🌊 Highlights: Calm water, good visibility, ideal for certification
Centennial Beach offers an easy-entry, shallow dive site ideal for new divers. Just offshore lies the JC Morrison, a sunken 1857 paddle steamer in about 30 feet of water. It’s an accessible, history-rich wreck great for intermediate-level dives.
📍 Best for: Beginners and intermediate wreck divers
🌊 Highlights: Training-friendly beach, JC Morrison wreck, freshwater fish sightings
This spring-fed quarry features sunken attractions such as an airplane, underwater platforms, and training zones. Well-managed and beginner-friendly, it’s ideal for families or new divers looking for safe, structured environments.
📍 Best for: New divers and training
🌊 Highlights: Sunken airplane, clear water, family-friendly atmosphere
Set in a peaceful natural setting, Marmora offers a mix of underwater features including old logging remnants, sunken piers, and calm, shallow areas. It’s perfect for training or relaxed weekend excursions.
📍 Best for: Recreational and training dives
🌊 Highlights: Unique terrain, historic logging features, quiet setting
At approximately 75 feet deep, this 136-foot schooner is a compelling site for advanced and wreck-certified divers. The P.B. Locke offers an authentic wreck diving experience steeped in local maritime history.
📍 Best for: Advanced divers
🌊 Highlights: Deep wreck, intact structure, technical dive opportunities
A spring-fed lake known for consistent conditions and clear water, Gulliver’s Lake is a staple for Open Water courses. Its small, contained layout makes it ideal for buoyancy practice and navigation drills.
📍 Best for: Beginners and instructors
🌊 Highlights: Easy access, great for training, clear and calm
Located just south of Tobermory, this site offers scenic rock walls and minor wreckage with typically excellent visibility. It’s a quiet alternative to the busy Tobermory scene and great for relaxed dives.
📍 Best for: All levels
🌊 Highlights: Wall diving, great visibility, easy entry
Popular for inland dive training, Dolime Quarry includes submerged objects like a school bus, platforms, and boats. Access is by reservation only, often coordinated through dive shops like Dive World.
📍 Best for: Training dives
🌊 Highlights: Submerged features, enclosed site, skill practice
Located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, Shanty Bay is a well-known shore dive site popular with local divers and instructors alike. The gradual entry, shallow depth, and calm conditions make it ideal for beginner training, skills refreshers, and casual dives. Though relatively simple, it’s a reliable spot for logging practice dives without venturing far from the GTA.
📍 Best for: Beginners and training
🌊 Highlights: Easy shore entry, calm water, consistent site for practice and instruction
Whether you’re exploring a historic schooner or mastering your buoyancy in calm waters, Ontario offers a rich array of diving experiences just waiting to be discovered. Dive World is here to support your journey with training, gear, and guided local trips.
🔹 Start your journey with our PADI Open Water Certification
🔹 Level up with the Advanced Open Water Course
🔹 Join our community on local dive trips and group excursions
📍 Visit us in Etobicoke or online at DiveWorld.ca
📞 Questions? Contact our team—we’re always here to help you plan your next dive.
Dive Safe. Dive Smart. Dive World.
Questions? Call us at 416-503-3483 and speak to an experienced professional.