2011
Pacific North-West Coast Dive Trip
May 1 - May 7, 2011

Vancouver Island, B.C. Phone (867)633-4734, Cell (867)334-4990 Or you can e-mail me.

We will be diving with Earl Lowe of Abysssal Diving Charters, staying at Whiskey Point Resort, a hotel located near the ferry dock on Quadra Island, B.C. (across from Campbell River, B.C.)

Getting There:
Some of us will be meeting in Vancouver, B.C. on Sunday, May 1st (morning), then will drive to Horseshoe Bay where we will board one of the B.C. Ferries (12:30 pm. sailing, next at 3 pm.) for the approx. 1.5 hour trip across Georgia Straight to Nanaimo, where we head north for the 2 hour (approx.) drive to Campbell River. We then head to the main ferry dock in the centre of town for the short, 10 minute, trip across Discovery Passage to Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island (on each half-hour - last ferry at 10:30 pm). Once you're on Quadra Island, as you come off the ferry, you will see the hotel, located just above the Landing Pub, ahead, to your right. See the map, below.

For those who are flying in to Vancouver, catching a commuter flight to Campbell River might be the easiest way of getting there. There is a shuttle service that will bring you to the ferry from the Campbell River airport, where you can board the ferry for the 10 minute ride across the channel where we will pick you up for the short ride up the hill to the hotel.

We plan on leaving Quadra Island after (if) our morning dive on Saturday, May 7th to head back to Vancouver so those flying home can catch their flights Saturday evening or Sunday.

The Stay, the Diving:
We will begin diving at the first slack tide on Monday morning, for those who are ready. Two dives are planned per day, but, for extra cost, we can make arrangements for additional dives for those hardcore divers.

The cost of the hotel is C$80 per day, plus 12% HST (federal tax), for up to 2 people, in a standard double room, with 2 beds and a kitchenette ($40 each, plus tax). Earl will supply the boat, tanks, air, weights, for 2 dives per day, as well as his excellant guidance, for C$110 per day (as long as fuel prices do not skyrocket). The hotel rooms feature a bay window and breakfast nook with a harbour view, a kitchenette with a two burner stove, small fridge, sink, plus all the cooking utensils and dish ware you require, a microwave, toaster, and coffeemaker, complimentary coffee and tea, a private bathroom with a full bath, a television with over 50 channels and a telephone with free local calls. Also, there is a hot tub in a gazebo right behind the hotel and they will supply us with an area (a wet room) for hanging our suits and gear, including a fresh water hose for rinsing gear. The wireless internet has been upgraded and is now available in all rooms. .

Most dive sites can accommodate divers of all experience levels. While drift diving usually means advanced diving, divers with some experience who wish to learn how to drift dive will find us most accommodating. Bring your preferred proof of certification and be willing to admit to your experience level. Diving will be the 'buddy' method - divers will be expected (requested) to dive in pairs (buddy teams) and assume responsibility for their own actions and choices. I advocate it is every diver's own responsibility to dive in a safe manner and within their training, experience and comfort level. Dives will not be guided unless a particular diver or divers requests a Divemaster to accompany him/them (then you may be stuck with me). While many on this trip will be diving in dry suits, a good cold-water wet suit, complete with hood, mitts, etc., will provide good protection. Familiarization/experience diving in cold water should be thought of as a prerequisite to a trip such as this. Of course, expect to sign the typical release forms prior to beginning your diving.

Costs:
As mentioned above, the total cost of the stay / diving is approximately CA$150 per day, based on 2 divers sharing a room (plus meals), including 2 dives per day (during slack), use of the hot tub and wet room, 80 cu. ft. (11 litre) aluminum cylinder, weights and boat transport to and from the dive site as well as Earl's excellent knowledge of the many dive sites in the area. 12% federal tax - H.S.T. - will be added to the charges. Options for meals include a couple of local restaurants and The Landing Pub, right below the hotel and, of course, the kitchenette in your room. There is a fairly well-stocked grocery store just up the hill from our hotel (includes beer, wine, etc.) in the Quadra Plaza mall, along with a pharmacy, bank and several other small stores.

I am collecting deposits of three days charges to reserve spots - minimum $400 Can. funds, each person. Please send a cheque or money order to #3 Juniper Drive, Whitehorse, Yukon., Y1A 4W8, made payable to me. You can pay the remainder directly to Earl and the hotel, during your stay. Deposits are transferable to a replacement diver but, generally, non-refundable and may be used to offset costs to other divers caused if a confirmed person cannot attend, such as increased cost of hotel rooms, increased cost of diving or as payment to the dive operator if the costs would, otherwise, rise for the other divers.

The ferries are operated by B.C. Ferries and information about them, the costs and the schedules can be found on their web site at B.C. Ferries. The approximate charge (January, 2011 rates, subject to change) for a standard car on the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo crossing will be CA$45.75 each way, plus driver and passengers ($13.90 each). The charges for the short ride over to Quadra Island from Campbell River will be CA$19.15 per car and $8.20 per passenger, for both ways (return trip).