Sure, when you think 'perfect snorkeling vacation,' Canada's west coast probably isn't the first place that comes to mind - unless you really, really like cold water and giant octopuses. But according to people who have actually done it, the waters off Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands offer some of the most unique and biodiverse snorkeling experiences in North America. The water temperature ranges from 44 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 11 degrees Celsius) year-round, which means you'll definitely want a wetsuit or drysuit unless you're part polar bear.

What awaits those brave enough to take the plunge? Kelp forests, colorful anemones, and the Giant Pacific Octopus - the world's largest octopus species. Also on the guest list: the Wolf Eel (looks scary, is actually just curious), Lumpsuckers (tiny balloon-like fish that cling to rocks), Dogfish sharks, Skates, and the occasional Six-Gill Shark that might swim up from the depths to say hello. Plus, there are shipwrecks that have become artificial reefs, hosting coral, sea stars, and crustaceans.

But the real showstopper is the glass sponge reefs - a rare and ancient life form once thought extinct. These things are basically living fossils, found in deeper channels between the islands, and they provide habitat for hundreds of species. Visibility can reach 70 to 80 feet, and even up to 100 feet in optimal conditions, especially in spring and early fall. So yes, you'll see plenty - through chattering teeth.

In short, snorkeling off Vancouver's 'Wild West Coast' requires extra gear and a tolerance for cold, but rewards you with an otherworldly marine world that rivals any tropical destination - just with more fleece.