Best way to dive Browning Pass ...

[TSandM]

After nine years of diving, I've concluded that, overall, the best diving in the world is up and down the west coast of North America. From the color and life density off Vancouver Island, to the Giant Pacific Octopuses and wolf eels of Seattle, to the granite pinnacles and wild color of Monterey, to the kelp forests off Los Angeles, it's all good. You just have to be willing to swaddle yourself in insulation and wear a daunting amount of lead to do it

 

[torontodiver]

Hey Captain,
We flew WestJet from Toronto to Comox, via Calgary. Comox is farther north than Victoria yet still accessible by large commercial carrier like WestJet. From there we chartered Ambassador Shuttle service to drive the six of us up to Port Hardy, with equal amounts of gear and beer for the week. This worked out beautifully.

It's possible to fly from Victoria to Port Hardy but the planes involved are smaller, private, and more expensive.

---------- Post added October 28th, 2014 at 11:16 AM ----------

Absolutely, feel free to share, cooldives!

Down to two - Nautilus Swell is gone (sold to a non-dive related operator effective late fall 2014). Either way -
the area provides for some spectacular diving!!

---------- Post added October 24th, 2014 at 05:54 PM ----------

Great (albeit long!) video. Would you mind if I shared it on cooldives.com?

 

[Stoo]

I was also at the Hideaway with Toronto Diver... I'm the guy at 13:05 in the video with the graphic description of the diving there... And the amazingly handsome dude climbing out of the water at the very end... Our trip was superb in every way, assuming you don't mind a little rain. As for the water being "cold" I appreciate that that's a relative term... In my case, it was the warmest water I've been in all year, outside of Belize. At 50-52 F it was downright balmy. Nobody in our group even mentioned the water temperature to my knowledge. But then we're Tobermory based!

As for getting there, I recommend flying to Comox through Vancouver or Calgary. The shuttle is great for a group but for a couple or three, you would be cheaper renting a car at the airport.

The comparisons with GP are inevitable and i can't compare as I've never stayed at GP. The Hideaway is indeed rustic but I'm ok with that.

If anyone wants to take advantage of travelling with a small group, we are pencilled in for Oct 3-9 next year. I pick these weeks based on tide flow to ensure best vis. That week looks promising for several reasons. We might add an additional day at the beginning to dive with sea lions out of Courtenay for those that are interested.

I have a recent gallery on my FB page linked below if you want to hunt it down.

 

[jodylynn007]

I have been lurking this thread as I live in BC and have dove the Browning area twice now. I have yet to stay at either God's Pocket or the Hideaway, but I look forward to both. I have however dove with Sun Fun Divers in Port McNeill and aboard the Nautilus Swell live aboard, however it will cease to run operations in the area in just a few short weeks. Here are a link to my photos (6 days) from my trip up there two weeks ago:

https://www.facebook.com/jodylynn007/media_set?set=a.10154722621210537.1073741890.625275536&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/jodylynn007/media_set?set=a.10154722691260537.1073741892.625275536&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/jodylynn007/media_set?set=a.10154723002175537.1073741893.625275536&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/jodylynn007/media_set?set=a.10154725612930537.1073741894.625275536&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/jodylynn007/media_set?set=a.10154725743605537.1073741895.625275536&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/jodylynn007/media_set?set=a.10154725870695537.1073741896.625275536&type=3

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Jody those pics are so awesome! What lens did you use for your macro photography?

 

[jodylynn007]

Jody those pics are so awesome! What lens did you use for your macro photography?

Aweeee thanks very much, I absolutely LOVE UW photography! I have an INON UCL 165 macro lens on a flip adaptor on my camera which is a Canon S95 (compact point and shoot, but full manual). Super easy to use as I can flip it closed for macro and then flip it open to snap photos of the regular stuff. It gives me all the flexibility I want to be able to get the maximum amount of shots I want all with the same camera. Super happy with my set-up. Also, having it on a flip (just one push lever to open it) rather than having to screw it on or off or other ways I have seen people have their macro lenses attached, it's really easy to use with the bulky cold water dry gloves.

 

[Jaymesymonds]

Haven't dove gods pocket but have stayed at the hideaway. Just to expand on the all the "hoopla" on the rustic accommodations at the hideaway its basic, yes but comfortable. Beds are good, lots of blankets, hot showers, toilets in every room, service from the volunteers is better than most 5star hotels, good food and ready when you need it, fun staff and volunteers who make topside time fun and very pleasant. What more are people looking for as divers?

nothings set in stone there, things go sideways sometimes, people are quirky, lighten up people, it's an amazing place up and down. And hell I've only been there once...heading back on oct 27 for the last trip of the year in Canada.

Keep breathing.

j

 

[MarkH]

service from the volunteers is better than most 5star hotels, good food and ready when you need it, fun staff and volunteers who make topside time fun and very pleasant.


j

Volunteers?

 

[nadwidny]

nothings set in stone there, things go sideways sometimes, people are quirky,

An operator who has one of his skiffs sink on him for no apparent reason with thousands of dollars worth of customers' gear is more than things going sideways or being quirky.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

An operator who has one of his skiffs sink on him for no apparent reason with thousands of dollars worth of customers' gear is more than things going sideways or being quirky.

I read about that. Was she ever compensated for the loss?