Scuba diver dies in waters near Gariola Island, off Vancouver Island coast

GABRIOLA — A scuba diver has died in the waters off a B.C. Gulf Island, in a death that police say is not considered suspicious.

Mounties on Gabriola Island off the east coast of Vancouver Island say paramedics were called Wednesday after an unresponsive diver was reported at Degnen Bay.

Police say emergency responders found the 66-year-old man in the water near a mooring buoy.

Efforts to revive the man were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead at the scene.

Investigators say the man had entered the water alone and was seen swimming a short distance of less 30 metres when bystanders noticed he was motionless on the surface.

The man was reached by boat and rescuers found he wasn’t breathing, setting off the 911 call.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2026.