August, 2018.
Northern Vancouver Island has a reputation for being among the best temperate diving in the world. National Geographic has recognized the area as one of their ultimate adventure bucket list dives due to the density and diversity of life found there. Many of the dive sites here are world renowned, such as the Browning Wall, and the Nakwakto Rapids. From whales to macro critters, this place has it all.
A fun way to explore the area of NE Vancouver Island is with Steve & Trudy LaCasse of Sun Fun Divers, based in Port McNeil. Their operation is mobile and wide-ranging, running charters from the Port McNeil area through to the Browning Pass, and beyond. They’re very knowledgeable, passionate, and proud to show that British Columbia is as beautiful underwater as it is above. It also helps that Steve is a marine biologist by profession, and a dive instructor with decades of experience in this area.
Depending on the dive sites, you may have a prologed surface interval which allows for lots of site seeing, such as the Alert Bay Totems, and wildlife observing. There’s little need to book a separate Whale watching tour (and I wish I hadn’t), as we saw plenty of wildlife topside such as Orcas, Otters, Sea Lions, Humpback whales, White-sided dolphins, Eagles, and even a pod of Dall’s porpoise that buzzed our boat. So bring a telephoto with you.
Delicious hot soup lunches were served in a backdrop of beautiful British Columbia scenery. Baked treats and hot chocolate were also provided to make the day even more enjoyable.
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Diving Into God’s Pocket, British Columbia.
Third Annual Trip to God’s Pocket.