I just returned from a wonderful dive trip to Barkley Sound, B.C. All the dives were within recreational limits with great viz and cold water. Nothing astounding in the way of marine life that we dont see regularly in Puget Sound but still it was a blast.
Our group of ten were all experienced divers not a rototiller in the bunch. Not only that, they were all great people and we had a good time together.
Barkley Sound is on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and it is a 2.5 hour boat ride from Port Alberni down the inlet to get to this remote location. Power for the lodge is propane fired generator. The lodge is an A frame that sits on rock blasted out of the cliff face.
Diving was great but I was a bit disappointed at not getting to dive the wreck of the Vanlene, which was supposed to be a part of the trip. A friend and I had spent 5-days camping/diving out there 15 years ago and we had found the Vanlene through some sketchy descriptions basically: She hit the reef south of Austin Island. I have always wanted to go back and do it right since those previous dives were solo on air with an AL80.
Unfortunately the dive operation had recently been sold and the new owner was not familiar with the site yet so did not feel comfortable taking us there. He assured me that the next time we come up it will be on his list.
Still, the Vanlene not withstanding, we all had a great time together and the diving was fantastic.
The first day my buddy and I logged almost 4 and a half hours of bottom time and almost 10 hours bottom time for the trip!
Day one:
101'max 70min
102'max 68min
66'max 73min
67'max 53min
Day two:
96'max 70 min
92'max 71 min
93'max 47min
Day three:
123'max 71min
114'max 70min
Treasures found:
Several fishing lures including a very large lead halibut lure.
12# downrigger ball
one Mares Volo fin (@123')
Our group of ten were all experienced divers not a rototiller in the bunch. Not only that, they were all great people and we had a good time together.
Barkley Sound is on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and it is a 2.5 hour boat ride from Port Alberni down the inlet to get to this remote location. Power for the lodge is propane fired generator. The lodge is an A frame that sits on rock blasted out of the cliff face.
Diving was great but I was a bit disappointed at not getting to dive the wreck of the Vanlene, which was supposed to be a part of the trip. A friend and I had spent 5-days camping/diving out there 15 years ago and we had found the Vanlene through some sketchy descriptions basically: She hit the reef south of Austin Island. I have always wanted to go back and do it right since those previous dives were solo on air with an AL80.
Unfortunately the dive operation had recently been sold and the new owner was not familiar with the site yet so did not feel comfortable taking us there. He assured me that the next time we come up it will be on his list.
Still, the Vanlene not withstanding, we all had a great time together and the diving was fantastic.
The first day my buddy and I logged almost 4 and a half hours of bottom time and almost 10 hours bottom time for the trip!
Day one:
101'max 70min
102'max 68min
66'max 73min
67'max 53min
Day two:
96'max 70 min
92'max 71 min
93'max 47min
Day three:
123'max 71min
114'max 70min
Treasures found:
Several fishing lures including a very large lead halibut lure.
12# downrigger ball
one Mares Volo fin (@123')
