Scuba Diving Vancouver Island
Boat Dives
The diving we do here is based on quality not quantity. If tides and weather allow 3 excellent choices in the day, we will do 3 boat dives. If conditions are questionable, we will limit you to two excellent choices.
Our resort is about 5 minutes from Browning Pass and the world famous Browning Wall. Other dive sites we frequent (weather and currents depending) include: Barry Islet, Dillon Rock, Nakwakto Rapids, Hunt Rock and various sites in Bates Pass, to name a few.
We regularly scout new sites so our choice of dive spots is extensive, which means that no matter what the wind and tides are doing we always have a site that is suitable for the conditions.
Dock Dives
Dock dives are popular at night, as well as in between dives, in front of the resort where the water is usually 40-60 feet deep. Shallow water is nice as your bottom time is limited more by cold tolerance than by nitrogen loading!
Divers in the bay often report seeing Giant Nudibranchs, Puget Sound King Crabs, young rockfish, anemones, shrimp, and all sorts of other underwater life. Recently, several Giant Pacific Octopus have been making the bay their home and have been seen hunting among the pilings as we walk up the ramps from the boat.
It's SO great to get in the water in the evening and watch the creatures feeding...
Diving Facilities
| Dive Charter Boat |
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Divers enter the water directly from
"The Hurst Isle", our 40' aluminum boat. |
| Boat Features: |
- ** New in 2007 ** - We re-powered her with twin motors ! We now achieve a 20 - 25 knot cruise speed with full capacity ... one hour to Turret Rock ( Nakwakto Rapids ) !!
- "live boat"
- heated wet cabin (wet and dry suits permitted inside)
- head
- tank racks and gear baskets for each diver
- hot water for soaking cold neoprene
- a camera dunk tank
- plenty of deck space
- big ladders on the back of the boat (keeping fins on)
- Dive Master available
- hot drinks and snacks after each dive
- Coast Guard safety-regulated boat
- first aid kit and oxygen on board
- "save the dive kit" with minimal dive shop items and lots of tools
We have big ladders on the back of the boat so you can get back on deck without removing your fins. A Dive Master is available to assist you after your dive and help you get unbuckled. The heated cabin is wet, meaning that you can come in from the weather and sit and listen to Bill tell stories after a dive without taking your drysuit (or wetsuit) off.
Click Here to View a Virtual Tour of the Boat...
Charging Wall
In the clubhouse there is a "charging wall" with plenty of sockets for everyone to recharge their cameras and lights for the next dive.
Scuba Gear
- Air fills
- Aluminum 80 tanks and Steel 85 tanks
- Weights and Belts
- Nitrox ($9.50 CDN plus taxes per fill)
- Argon ($20 CDN plus taxes per charter)
PLEASE make sure your equipment is serviced and in good working condition. We have a limited "save the dive" kit and Port Hardy is an expensive boat ride away.
IMPORTANT:
We do require proof of certification (a "C" card) from all divers, or we can't dive you. For those who are diving Nitrox, please remember your Nitrox Card. Otherwise, air it is !
Diving Seasons
Each season offers something different.
White sided dolphins have been seen in all seasons.
Spring is a good time to witness everything being born. Lots of babies around!
The small kelp beds are a nursery containing lots of young sealife. King crabs and octopus are seen in relatively shallow waters. The visibility is anywhere from 20-100 feet, depending on sunshine availability.
Summer offers light winds, some fog and more consistently clear water. Orcas and humpback whales begin arriving in early May.
Fall is similar to summer, however after October 30th the weather begins its south east shift. This can bring in a little rougher water. The weather has to be real bad to not get into Browning Pass. (hasn't happened yet!)
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