Dive Charter for out-of-towner

[KaBoOm]

Hi everyone.

I'm going to be travelling to Vancouver on business in August and lucky me I have a day free to dive! I'm wondering if anyone can suggest a Dive Operator / Shop that has a good, all day trip heading out on August 14th (Sunday)? Ideally I'd like to use Nitrox and I'm bringing all my gear with me.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[DiverDebbie]

Hi Andrew,
If you're interested in local shore dives, most of LDS in the area (certainly the one I work out of) can set you up with a divemaster for the day if they don't already have a group going out. I just took a couple from Edmonton out yesterday and had a great day of diving.
However, it sounds like your preference may be towards a boat trip? In which case I recommend Divers Choice in Nanaimo. It does make for a bit of a longer day, as you have to take the ferry over, but you can walk on and they will pick you up/bring you back to the ferries on that side. They are a super friendly, knowledgeble couple, have a well laid out dive boat, and best of call, you can dive one or both the Saskatchewan and Cape Breton wrecks. You'd have to contact them to see if they have anything going out that day.
http://www.divingbccanada.com/
http://www.oceanprodivers.com/

 

[KaBoOm]

Hi Andrew,
If you're interested in local shore dives, most of LDS in the area (certainly the one I work out of) can set you up with a divemaster for the day if they don't already have a group going out. I just took a couple from Edmonton out yesterday and had a great day of diving.
However, it sounds like your preference may be towards a boat trip? In which case I recommend Divers Choice in Nanaimo. It does make for a bit of a longer day, as you have to take the ferry over, but you can walk on and they will pick you up/bring you back to the ferries on that side. They are a super friendly, knowledgeble couple, have a well laid out dive boat, and best of call, you can dive one or both the Saskatchewan and Cape Breton wrecks. You'd have to contact them to see if they have anything going out that day.
http://www.divingbccanada.com/
http://www.oceanprodivers.com/

Thanks for the info! Yes you are right, I really would rather have a boat dive. I just think it allows me to see a bit more in the time I have. I've heard such wonderful things about the diving out there.

I won't have a car or a ride, so getting from my hotel in Downtown Vancouver to the Ferry could be trouble. Are there any charters that run out of the city?

Thanks!

Andrew

 

[AtomicWalrus]

You could take the HarbourLynx ferry from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo. It runs from the Seabus terminal near Canada Place and will take you right to downtown Nanaimo. Most of the charter operations in Nanaimo arrange to pick up customers from the ferry as needed.

Alternately, there are some boat charters available out of Vancouver. I think Blue Adventure is out of commission right now after their boat got hit by that ferry in Horseshoe Bay recently, but BC Dive Adventures does regular charters as well. Probably best to give them a call and see what they can do for you.

Thanks for the info! Yes you are right, I really would rather have a boat dive. I just think it allows me to see a bit more in the time I have. I've heard such wonderful things about the diving out there.

I won't have a car or a ride, so getting from my hotel in Downtown Vancouver to the Ferry could be trouble. Are there any charters that run out of the city?

Thanks!

Andrew

 

[KaBoOm]

After much searching and reading, I decided to go with Diver's Choice out of Nanaimo on August 14th! Maybe I'll see you there!

Thanks for the help,

Andrew

 

[KaBoOm]

After much searching and reading, I decided to go with Diver's Choice out of Nanaimo on August 14th! Maybe I'll see you there!

Thanks for the help,

Andrew

OK, Diver's Choice ended up being the RIGHT choice! Had a fantasic time with Ken and the other divers. We dove the Cape Breton and a fabulous wall near the Cape Breton. Temps we around 50 degrees and I went to 108' and 96'. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. Lunch was provided along with post dive drinks, snacks, hot chocolate or coffee. Ken was also able to get me a couple EAN30 tanks for my dives since I prefer to dive Nitrox most of the time.

Thanks!

Andrew

 

[DiverDebbie]

OK, Diver's Choice ended up being the RIGHT choice! Had a fantasic time with Ken and the other divers. We dove the Cape Breton and a fabulous wall near the Cape Breton. Temps we around 50 degrees and I went to 108' and 96'. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. Lunch was provided along with post dive drinks, snacks, hot chocolate or coffee. Ken was also able to get me a couple EAN30 tanks for my dives since I prefer to dive Nitrox most of the time.

Thanks!

Andrew

Fabulous! It's nice to have a recommendation work out so well. Glad you enjoyed it