Diving Halifax Harbour

Everything you need to know before you enter the water — authorization requirements, step-by-step permit instructions, and safety guidelines.

Port Authority Guide Create an HPA Account

Welcome to Halifax Harbour Diving

Welcome to the guide for diving in Halifax Harbour! Below you'll find information on the processes required for safe and approved diving operations.

Always check with the Halifax Port Authority for the latest guidelines. The HPA Information Guide is regularly updated — for the most current rules, refer to the official guide on the Port of Halifax website.

Authorization Required: All diving operations within the jurisdiction of the Halifax Port Authority (HPA), including contracted diving at port facilities or for vessels, must be pre-approved by the HPA through Port Control (POC).

For recreational divers, authorization is required for any dives occurring from the southernmost point of McNabs Island and inwards.

Diving Operations

Authorization Questions

For authorization inquiries, including for divers visiting Halifax Harbour for a limited time:

opcen@portofhalifax.ca

Frequent Divers

All divers planning to dive in the Halifax Harbour must request a Port Control login. Without access, send inquiries to:

ops_pmis@portofhalifax.ca

Requesting Account Access

Request a new Port Control account using the HPA Account Request Form:

HPA Account Request Form

Responsibility for Reporting

It is the responsibility of the divers, diving companies, and any involved facilities or vessels to ensure that MCTS and the HPA are informed when diving operations begin and when they are completed.

How to Submit a Request

Follow these steps to submit a diving operation request through Port Control at portcontrol.portofhalifax.ca.

Log in to Port Control

In the upper right, select Login
Enter your username and password
Select the checkbox to accept terms, then click Login

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The Activity / Permit page will be displayed. Fill in your permit information.

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View Map & List of Terminals →

Complete additional configuration for your dive operation.

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Review and submit your request.

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