Sitting on the eastern shores of Canada, Halifax might not be the first place that comes to mind for world-class scuba diving. Overshadowed by tropical destinations to the south and other popular Canadian dive spots to the west, this historic port city is a well-kept secret. With its rugged coastline, rich maritime history, and a community deeply connected to the sea, Halifax provides access to underwater landscapes that are as challenging as they are rewarding. Many assume the waters here are dark, green, and barren, but the truth is quite the opposite. The scene here is vibrant and diverse, home to flourishing kelp forests, abundant marine life, and some of the best-preserved shipwrecks, often referred to as the “graveyard of the Atlantic.” The region remains off the radar for many, and while locals love sharing its beauty with those seeking it out, they also hope to preserve its pristine nature from being overrun by tourism.
Despite its small size and laid-back vibe, Halifax is a significant ocean hub, often considered the gateway to the Atlantic due to its strategic location. In fact, Halifax Harbor is one of the city’s highlights, and one of the reasons this city is even on the map. Throughout the area, the sea’s influence is felt everywhere—from the local cuisine to the picturesque salt-worn buildings lining the harbor. Yet, it’s important to note that diving in Halifax is not for the faint of heart. The waters here are cold to temperate, often fluctuating between -2°C (28°F) in winter and up to 22°C (72°F) in the warmer months. For those willing to don a drysuit and brave the elements, the benefit for your ambition is surely there. In Halifax you can find training opportunities that range from basic drysuit diving to the more extreme ice diving, all in hopes of coming face-to-face with some of the Atlantic’s most fascinating marine life.
The region’s temperate summer waters and icy winter environments are home to an impressive array of marine life. You’ll encounter everything from super-sized nudibranchs clinging to rocks, flatfish like flounder by the plenty, the occasional lumpfish if you’re lucky, cunner fish, and the region’s pride—lobster of all sizes. For the more fortunate divers, sightings of seals, wolf fish, bluefin tuna, and even the occasional great white shark add to the thrill. Most dive sites are right off the shore, offering easy accessibility for those wanting to dive on their own. Meanwhile, the visibility can stretch up to 30 meters (100 feet) on a clear day, especially in winter, offering a window into a world that few get to witness.
But what makes diving in Halifax truly special are the people. Halifax’s diving scene welcomes those of all certification and levels, providing not just the technical training and gear through local shops, but also a deep sense of camaraderie that extends well beyond the water. Torpedo Rays, a cornerstone of the local diving scene since 1997, is Halifax’s biggest hub for everything dive-related in Nova Scotia. Founded by Jason and Karen Weickert, the two turned their passion for diving into a full-time business twenty years ago, and the shop has grown into a community epicenter for divers across the province ever since.
Jason and Karen’s daughter, April Weickert, has been the driving force in putting Halifax on the global dive map. She’s the brains behind the “Sea Foxes”, a women’s dive group that’s challenging the status quo in a sport historically dominated by men. Even growing up in a dive shop and around this subculture scene, April’s personal journey into the sport wasn’t without its challenges. Like many women entering a space where men have traditionally taken the lead, she often found herself as one of the few (if not the only) women on dives in these Halifax diving conditions, that at times can be quite formidable. This experience highlighted a glaring gap in the diving community right here on her home turf: a lack of spaces where women could feel fully supported, empowered, and encouraged to learn to dive or expand their knowledge and push their limits.
Driven by the desire to create a welcoming environment for other women, April envisioned the Sea Foxes as more than just a dive group. She wanted it to be a community where women could connect, share their love for the ocean, and grow both as divers and as individuals—leaving inhibition at the door in order to build a genuine support system. “Diving can be an intimidating sport to get into, especially for women who may not see themselves represented,” April shared. “I wanted to create a space where women could come together, feel heard and supported, and just dive for the sheer joy of it. I also wanted to experience what it was like to take some colder plunges!”
April wasn’t one of those kids who picked up fins and a mask at birth. For her, diving didn’t become part of her life until she was 18, and like many new divers, she was initially nervous—which is unexpected from someone who grew up around the diving scene. It took her until her 60th dive until she felt even remotely comfortable, which is true for many new divers. After finishing university, where she originally thought accounting was her path, April realized that her true calling was the ocean. She returned to Halifax to immediately launch her scuba career after realizing that she’d rather live her passion than wait around for the few days a year she can get in the water. Being tied to a desk subscribing to corporate Canada wasn’t in the cards.
Now, at just 26, April manages the biggest dive shop in Nova Scotia, teaches diving regularly, and is on a mission to expand the Sea Foxes. April’s work has already made a significant impact locally, but her vision extends well beyond Halifax. She’s determined to expand the Sea Foxes across Canada, building a nationwide network of women divers who support and empower each other both in and out of the water. The sense of safety and belonging that the Sea Foxes provide is not something you see every day. Women-only dive groups are few and far between, and discovering such a community in a place like Halifax adds a special layer to a place often overlooked.
Of course, April isn’t doing this alone. Alanna Canaran, another key member of the Sea Foxes and a dive instructor at Torpedo Rays, shares the same vision of creating a space for women in the sport of diving. Alongside Alanna are the other original members of the Sea Foxes—Cassandra Dykeman and Jessica MacDonald—all of whom were drawn to diving by their shared passion for the ocean. Alanna’s journey began earlier than the rest—at just 15 years old, she took her first breaths underwater in a cold quarry in Ontario. Despite those chilly, gray waters entirely void of life, she was hooked. “Getting certified in that quarry and then experiencing the vibrant reefs of Hawaii shortly after made me realize how much I loved being underwater, no matter the conditions,” she recalls. “It was like a switch flipped, and I knew this was something I could do for the rest of my life.”
After university, Alanna decided to pursue a career that combined her love for the ocean with her passion for education. She worked in science communication and ocean education, eventually becoming a dive instructor. But it wasn’t until she moved to Halifax and joined the Sea Foxes that she found a community that resonated with her. “For me, it was all about finding a place where I could belong,” Alanna explained. “Diving isn’t just a sport; it’s a way to connect with the ocean and with each other. The Sea Foxes gave me that sense of belonging, and I want to do that for others looking for that same place to call their own.”
April and Alanna both agree that cold-water diving in Halifax is an experience like no other and certainly requires the right kind of mindset going in. April, who’s taken on dives in water as cold as -2°C (28°F), believes that with the right attitude and gear, diving in such extreme conditions can be incredibly fun. “Cold water shouldn’t scare people off,” she says. “If you dress for it, you’re going to have a great time. It’s just like skiing—wear the right gear, and you’ll be comfortable. The key is preparation: more lead, sealed regulators, and a good drysuit can make all the difference.” April’s philosophy on cold-water diving is about embracing the challenge and finding joy in the experience, no matter how cold it gets—which is all possible when surrounded by the right back-up team.
Over the years, the Sea Foxes has certainly expanded into more of a movement than a club, aimed at empowering women to become champions of the ocean in every aspect of their lives. They organize regular dives, host social events, and run a scholarship program that supports women in the diving community—not just as a hobby, but as a potential career path. One of their most celebrated events is the annual Women’s Dive Day Gala, which is equal parts a platform for women to network, share their experiences, and find mentorship in an industry where they are often underrepresented. By fostering a supportive community, the Sea Foxes are helping women gain the confidence and skills needed to take on new challenges both in and out of the water. Whether it’s through offering guidance on advanced diving techniques, providing opportunities to engage in ocean conservation, or encouraging women to pursue careers in marine sciences, the Sea Foxes are dedicated to empowering their members to make a meaningful impact on the ocean and the world around them. For many women, the group has acted like a launchpad for personal growth and professional development, helping women turn their passion for the ocean into a lifelong commitment.
April and Alanna both stress that success in diving is about taking that initial plunge. For those new to the sport, their advice is simple: don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. “Be brave and just show up,” April encourages. “It’s normal to feel nervous, but that’s part of the learning journey. The ocean has so much to offer, and the first step is to simply dive in.” Alanna echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of community in overcoming initial fears. “Find a mentor, ask questions, and be willing to be vulnerable,” she says. “Diving in Halifax is surprisingly a perfect place to start. The conditions here will push you to grow as a diver right off the bat, and the community will be there to support you every step of the way.”
As you prepare to dive the waters of Nova Scotia, keep in mind that this adventure is more than just a test of endurance—it’s an opportunity to see a side of Canada that many have not. And the Sea Foxes are ready to welcome you, guiding you through the power of cold-water diving and showing you the beauty that lies in these often-overlooked waters. Whether you’re looking to push your limits, connect with like-minded women, or simply experience the thrill of diving in an unexpected environment, Halifax is waiting. So, gear up, embrace the cold, and let the Sea Foxes show you Canada’s best kept secret of the North Atlantic.
