Quadra Island

[Darnold9999]

Was at Quadra Island over the weekend. Great diving!

Arrived to get the Friday 7:00PM ferry from Campbell River across to the island. A telephone call to see if we could get a night dive got the response. "If you're ready to dive when the ferry gets in we can catch slack tide." This is a 20 min ferry ride! Six of us gearing up on the deck of the ferry caused a few raised eyebrows, but we made the tide and had a great first dive.

Saturday three dives. Middle of the Road, Outside Grouse and Row and be Damned. Best and worst dives. Best dive was "Outside Grouse" - everyone came up with a grin on their face - "awsome dive" - "spectacular" were a couple of expressions used. Three of my five best pics came from that dive. This one dive made the whole trip worthwhile - everything after was gravy. Carpets of Strawberry Anenomies, nudibranchs of all shapes and sizes, life everywhere. Colour everywhere and very low current so getting the shot you wanted was possible. On other dives you had time to push the shutter and hope as you drift by.

Joined another group for the next dive, got "instant" dive master training helping a "new to cold water" diver get through his first dive. I now know to ask more questions than how many dives:huh: Seemed competent on the boat - in the water - not so much. Put the camera away for that dive and really didn't see much of the wall. Had my eyes on my buddy almost the whole dive. By the end of the dive he had gotten the hang of things, but the beginning was "educational" for me.

Second day was three dives again, Middle of the Road again, the Columbia and Copper Cliffs. Was the last set of divers on the Columbia, an intentionally sunk Canadian Destroyer, and so poor visability was made pathetic by others stirring up the silt. 30 feet vis off the wreck, down to 10 or less on the wreck. Lots of nudi's made up for it however. Those who penetrated were the most enthusiastic about going back.

Copper Cliffs were interesting, but a little sparse. We were too shallow as I have been on that wall before and found lots to see but third dive of the day and fighting a touch of hypothermia I wanted to stay shallow.

The Abyssal lodge is OK, dorm accommodation for the singles, not a lot of places to plug things in, and no real camera table. The hot tub was not working, and the compressor in Campbell River seemed to break down regularly causing some inconvenience for those of us diving our own tanks. One shower and two toilets for 14 people created challenges as well. Food was good and the boat handler on the boat I was on most of the weekend was great. Choose the skiff if you have a choice - easier to dive from. No camera tank on the big boat and less space to gear up. On a winter day the inside would be welcome however.

Pics below

http://www.daconsulting.bc.ca/Dive/QuadraDorid2.JPG

http://www.daconsulting.bc.ca/Dive/QuadraDorid.JPG

http://www.daconsulting.bc.ca/Dive/QuadraHermit.JPG

http://www.daconsulting.bc.ca/Dive/QuadraOrangeNudibranch.JPG

http://www.daconsulting.bc.ca/Dive/QuadraRed.JPG

http://www.daconsulting.bc.ca/Dive/QuadraPink.JPG

 

[jeckyll]

Thanks for the report Doug

FYI, the last 2 links work ... not so much

 

[Darnold9999]

As a computer guy I should know to test everything. Try them now.

 

[jeckyll]

The 'Quadrared" is awessome!

Oh, yeah, I'm very dissapointed with you professionally btw

 

[naclydogg]

I would have thought that you would have a picture of the 14 people in the shower

 

[Darnold9999]

Who said I didn't

 

[deepdiverbc]

Grouse is a great dive but if you go back check out Steep Island and April Point. Mittlenatch is fun too when the sea lions are in.

You're right about the camera tank not being on the bigger boat. Something worth mentioning to Earl.

The hotel is another option if you like more privacy and it's fairly close by. There aren't a lot of plugs for charging batteries etc but I thought the big picnic style table in the lodge had enough room for working on gear and camera's.

It sounds like you had a good trip. If it's your first time it's worth going back. There's lots more to see.

 

[under water]

Hi Doug,
My wife & I mosied into Abyssal Diving on Tuesday, just after your crew left.
It was just the two of us, so we had both bathrooms
It seemed like Earl & company were recuperating from your group! We had a pretty low key couple of days.
It was our first cold water dive and we paid to have a divemaster (Earl's uncle) to accompany us.
It's a lot to learn the first time, especially with that current.
I was also doing my first dive with a new strobe, so those 30 minute dives seemed like 5 minutes and I was using up air just a tad too fast.

Great pictures of the nudis. I didn't get that close, but loved all the color anyway.
http://www.delargy.com/2006_09_BC/diving.htm

 

[TSandM]

Thanks for the report. I always like to hear about relatively local diving options!

 

[Darnold9999]

Grouse is a great dive but if you go back check out Steep Island and April Point. Mittlenatch is fun too when the sea lions are in.

You're right about the camera tank not being on the bigger boat. Something worth mentioning to Earl.

The hotel is another option if you like more privacy and it's fairly close by. There aren't a lot of plugs for charging batteries etc but I thought the big picnic style table in the lodge had enough room for working on gear and camera's.

It sounds like you had a good trip. If it's your first time it's worth going back. There's lots more to see.

We did both Steep and April Point. Current was not working for us for Steep so was only a so so dive and April Point was probably my next favorite after Grouse.

One of the divers spent the first night in the lodge and the rest of the trip in the Hotel down the way - just for privacy and to excape the snoring.

The picnic table is big enough, but their really isn't enough power nearby - or anywhere for that matter. (A very minor point)

Yes had a great time - this was my second trip to Quadra and I will be going back.

Off to Barkely Sound Friday with Rendevous. Hope the weather cooperates!!