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Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2013 10:11 pm
by KneeDeep
Hello all,
Around late Sept, I would like to do some boat dives around the Vancouver/Victoria area, but don't know of any good operators. So, I'm looking for suggestions for dive charters and sites. No sure what the area has to offer, or if viz will cooperate, but what are my options for a weekend adventure?

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:25 am
by CaptnJack
Ogden point dive center has reliable charters. Vis should be great that time of year.
http://www.divevictoria.com/

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:38 pm
by LCF
We went out with Pinnacle Dive Charters last November and really enjoyed it. The boat is small and the enclosed area is smaller and unheated, but the ride to the dive site is short. We did the "Great Race" at Race Rocks, and it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited underwater. The second dive wasn't quite as fancy, but had TONS of nudibranchs. I'd go back.

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:19 pm
by ohopdiver
This might be a good place to mention - don't try to take a US dive boat into Canadian waters without checking in at Canadian customs before diving or you can get busted. The pass through rule does not apply if you stop to dive.

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:05 pm
by CaptnJack
ohopdiver wrote:This might be a good place to mention - don't try to take a US dive boat into Canadian waters without checking in at Canadian customs before diving or you can get busted. The pass through rule does not apply if you stop to dive.
Ironically one of their charters dives the Diamond Knot all the time. Without clearing anything.

You can pass through and even dive - if you never anchor or touch land in any way. I've done the Black Dragon this way (live boat)

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:39 pm
by ohopdiver
I went from Anacortes to Gooch Is to dive the Mckenzie a few years ago and was boarded by Canadian customs between dives. They made it clear you can not perform any task or activity during a pass through including fishing or diving. They would have let us report and continue but they found one guy on my boat had not satisfied community service for a 20 year old violation so we were told to get of Dodge. It's possible things have changed but I'm still hearing about people being refused entry because of violations like DUI's. If I do it again I'll at least try radio check-in with Bedwell customs.

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 10:01 pm
by KneeDeep
Thanks all for the suggestions and heads up about customs.

To widen dive site options... what about the San Juan Islands, any operators to recommend?

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 12:05 am
by BillZ
KneeDeep wrote:Thanks all for the suggestions and heads up about customs.

To widen dive site options... what about the San Juan Islands, any operators to recommend?

Bandito's Charter does several weekend San Juan charters through the summer and early fall. Rick and Jackie run a great operation and are awesome people. I'd give them a call and see if they'll be up there in your timeframe.

http://www.banditocharters.com/bandito/


Lujack's Quest operates out of Anacortes. The owner/operator can be a bit surly but he knows the divesites and runs a safe and competent operation.
http://www.lujacsquest.com/

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:19 am
by CaptnJack
ohopdiver wrote:It's possible things have changed but I'm still hearing about people being refused entry because of violations like DUI's.
DUIs have always been a felony in Canada. They don't want criminals visiting and will deny felons entry forever. Does not matter how old the conviction is, if they find out about it (and they have their ways) you will not be allowed in. If you want to dive in Canada; drive sober, designate a driver, stay the night, or get a cab!

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:37 pm
by KneeDeep
Going to breath some life back into this.

Any idea if viz will be ok around Jan or Feb? Thinking about heading up around this time as I didn't make up in Sept.

Any boat sites to ask for?

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 9:21 pm
by kasi
I make plan for the Vancouver trip in this season but i have less budget my first priority to dive through the boat and enjoy the trip with the boat and move here and there in the Vancouver and i recommend to you that pick up the superb hotel where food is good...

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 8:25 am
by BUZO71
So, I'm thinking about heading up there. Has anything changed since this thread started? I don't care if I go to Victoria or vancouver but I'd like to dive a Monday from a boat. Any place up there have daily diving boats?

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 10:56 am
by CaptnJack
Ogden point in Victoria
Topline/Sea dragon in Vancouver

Would be my recommendations. Taking the car on the ferry to Victoria adds significant $$$

Re: Boat Dives in Vancouver/Victoria area

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 10:02 pm
by BUZO71
Well, slight change of plans.... No BC trip.... right now!