Diving with Six-Gill Sharks at Hornby Island: A Legendary Chapter in Pacific Diving
For decades, Hornby Island held a near-mythical status in the global dive community. Tucked between Vancouver Island and Denman Island, this quiet Gulf Island became world-famous for something few places on Earth could offer: reliable, shallow-water encounters with the elusive six-gill shark (Hexanchus griseus).
These ancient deep-sea sharks, often described as living fossils, would rise from the depths to cruise the sandstone walls and drop-offs around Flora Islet, creating one of the most extraordinary scuba diving experiences in the Pacific Northwest.
The Early Days: Hornby Island Diving
The roots of Hornby Island’s dive legacy stretch back to the early 1970s, when Bob and Ann Zielinski founded Hornby Island Diving. At a time when recreational diving on the BC coast was still in its infancy, the Zielinskis pioneered.
They introduced visiting divers to the rich marine ecosystems of the Strait of Georgia and were among the first to recognize the significance of the six-gill sharks frequenting the waters off Flora Islet. What began as a small, passion-driven operation grew into a cornerstone of Hornby Island’s marine identity, drawing divers from around the world eager for a chance to meet these gentle giants.
Beyond diving, Bob and Ann were strong advocates for marine protection and responsible interaction with wildlife, values that shaped the culture of diving on Hornby Island for generations to come.
Expanding the Experience: Pacific Pro Dive & Big Animal Encounters
As Hornby’s reputation grew through the 1990s and 2000s, other operators played a role in supporting and facilitating dive access to the region. Pacific Pro Dive helped equip and train divers exploring Vancouver Island’s waters, while their charter division, Big Animal Encounters became well known for connecting guests with some of the coast’s most iconic wildlife, both above and below the surface.
For a time, Flora Islet remained a highlight for advanced divers hoping to glimpse six-gill sharks in conditions that were virtually unmatched anywhere else in the world.
When the Sharks Stopped Coming
Around 2014, something changed.
The six-gill sharks that had made Flora Islet famous simply stopped appearing. Once a site where patient divers could reasonably hope for encounters, sightings became rare and eventually ceased altogether. While the exact reasons remain unknown there were many to speculate, including changes in prey availability, oceanographic conditions, or broader ecosystem shifts, all being possible factors however the result was undeniable.
Without the consistent presence of six-gill sharks, charter operators began visiting Flora Islet far less frequently. The site itself didn’t lose its beauty, but the defining attraction that drew divers from across the globe was no longer there.
Flora Islet Today
Today, Flora Islet remains a striking dive site, known for its dramatic sandstone formations and vibrant marine life. Wolf eels, rockfish, nudibranchs, octopus, and seasonal visitors like sea lions still inhabit the area, offering rewarding dives for those who venture there.
Yet for many long-time divers, the absence of six-gill sharks marks the end of a truly special era. One that made Hornby Island a bucket-list destination in the global dive community.
A Legacy That Still Matters
The story of six-gill sharks at Hornby Island is a reminder of how dynamic and fragile marine ecosystems can be. It’s also a testament to the legacy built by early pioneers like Bob and Ann Zielinski, whose passion helped create one of the most unique diving experiences on the planet.
While the sharks may no longer patrol the walls of Flora Islet, their story continues to shape Hornby Island’s place in Pacific diving history, a chapter remembered with awe, respect, and hope that one day, they may return.
