God's Pocket
God's Pocket
Hi
I just got back from God's Pocket. As I mentioned in my other post, our trip got cut a little short due to a fire, plus I had some camera issues, so I only got in about half the photo dives that I wanted to -- but it was a ton of fun. I can't recommend them enough -- there's so much to see on those reefs! We did 7 tree, butter tart, browning, snowfall, northwest passage, hoodie noodie bay, etc
Top side we saw bald eagles, dolphins and even a pair of coastal wolves! We even got to dive with Andy Lamb, critter geek extraordinaire, and he had a lot of interesting stories to tell.
Here were some of the shots: ]
I just got back from God's Pocket. As I mentioned in my other post, our trip got cut a little short due to a fire, plus I had some camera issues, so I only got in about half the photo dives that I wanted to -- but it was a ton of fun. I can't recommend them enough -- there's so much to see on those reefs! We did 7 tree, butter tart, browning, snowfall, northwest passage, hoodie noodie bay, etc
Top side we saw bald eagles, dolphins and even a pair of coastal wolves! We even got to dive with Andy Lamb, critter geek extraordinaire, and he had a lot of interesting stories to tell.
Here were some of the shots: ]
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Re: God's Pocket
LOVE that anemone picture with the sun behind it, Eric! They're all good, but that one stands out.
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- seattlepaul1975
- Compulsive Diver
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- Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2012 3:51 pm
Re: God's Pocket
Fantastic pictures!
Re: God's Pocket
Awesome shots Eric! Nice work. I like the Warbonnet, love how it is framed with soft color and pefect depth of field.
Re: God's Pocket
Great stuff Eric!
You captured the magic of Browning Pass very well
You captured the magic of Browning Pass very well
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I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: God's Pocket
Nice pix. How'd the light hold up?
-c
-c
There are no stupid questions, but there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots...
Re: God's Pocket
brain overload diving there ...nice pictures
NWDC Rule #2 Pictures Or it didn't Happen
Re: God's Pocket
Wonderful pics of an amazing place!
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
- Scubie Doo
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Re: God's Pocket
Nice work Eric, sorry to hear about the fire.
Re: God's Pocket
OK, I have a question. I am looking at these pictures and seeing great vis. So, I am a little confused, because sound vis is terrible right now from other reports (I'm noticing from other reports). Is the area an exception to that rule? Or did you just make it in under the wire of the bad vis? Or am I just misunderstanding locations for vis? Such as the south area is bad ATM but the north end is always beautiful?
Rena
Drink water, breathe air. Never get these mixed up.
Drink water, breathe air. Never get these mixed up.
Re: God's Pocket
God's Pocket is above the north end of Vancouver Island and gets cold fresh water directly from the Pacific. Vis is usually much better up there; 70 ft is not unusual, though it still has algae blooms.
Re: God's Pocket
Great pictures! Makes me want to go back tomorrow! Love that place!
Re: God's Pocket
Great pictures! Thank you for sharing!! Hope the damage at God's Pocket gets repaired quickly. That is a very sweet diving place!!
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My diving photos
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My diving photos
Re: God's Pocket
Sorry, another question. This looks like it's technically Canada. How does that work? Do you have to have passports/cards to come back or go over?
Rena
Drink water, breathe air. Never get these mixed up.
Drink water, breathe air. Never get these mixed up.
Re: God's Pocket
Hi
Glad people like the pics.
Yes, it is in Canada. You'll need a passport to cross the border. It takes about 10-11 hours of driving (including 2 hour ferry ride and wait and border crossing) to get there from Seattle!
-Eric
Glad people like the pics.
Yes, it is in Canada. You'll need a passport to cross the border. It takes about 10-11 hours of driving (including 2 hour ferry ride and wait and border crossing) to get there from Seattle!
-Eric
Visit pnwdiving.com for viz reports, slack planning, galleries and more! Your fellow diver will appreciate any viz reports you can add!
Re: God's Pocket
Yes you will need either a passport or the approved WA drivers license which costs extra to get back in.RenaB wrote:Sorry, another question. This looks like it's technically Canada. How does that work? Do you have to have passports/cards to come back or go over?
http://dustys-lights.com/, An awesome light at an unbelievably low price
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http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Re: God's Pocket
You need proof of US citizenship or permanent residency to get back into the US. A passport is the easiest document to carry. Others include the enhanced driver's license, or a voter registration in combination with a standard driver's license.
It's a bit of a trip, but the ferry ride from Tswassen to Nanaimo and the drive up Vancouver Is are both very pretty.
It's a bit of a trip, but the ferry ride from Tswassen to Nanaimo and the drive up Vancouver Is are both very pretty.
- Grateful Diver
- I've Got Gills
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Re: God's Pocket
Rena, as others have said, God's Pocket is just off the very north tip of Vancouver Island. From the Seattle area you make your way across the border, take a ferry ride from either Tsawassan (south of Vancouver) or Horseshoe Bay (north of Vancouver) across the strait to Nanaimo, which is about one third of the way up the east coast of Vancouver Island. Once on the island, it's about a 5-hour drive up the coast and over the mountains to get to Port Hardy, a small town on the north tip of the island. From there a boat will take you out to the resort ... another 1.5 to 2 hours ride.
The best diving is in a place called Browning Pass, which is very close to the two resorts that operate up there ... God's Pocket and Browning Pass Hideaway. The diving is spectacular ... Jacques Cousteau once said it was among his top five favorite places in the world to dive. There are walls, pinnacles, slopes, an old wreck, and some spectacular drift dives. The area isn't just covered with life ... there's life growing on the life! It's totally different and in some ways unique in terms of what you see ... sensory overload in a really good way.
It's very remote, incredibly beautiful both above and below the water, and somewhat expensive (has to be, due to the remoteness of the places you will stay and dive). If you've never been there, I highly recommend it ... it's the apex of Pacific Northwest diving.
On a different note, I learned yesterday that the Swell ... a liveaboard that has been doing summer excursions in Port Hardy for the past few years ... has recently been sold. This is the last year it will be operating as a diving boat. So if you want to see Port Hardy that way, this is your last chance to do so.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
The best diving is in a place called Browning Pass, which is very close to the two resorts that operate up there ... God's Pocket and Browning Pass Hideaway. The diving is spectacular ... Jacques Cousteau once said it was among his top five favorite places in the world to dive. There are walls, pinnacles, slopes, an old wreck, and some spectacular drift dives. The area isn't just covered with life ... there's life growing on the life! It's totally different and in some ways unique in terms of what you see ... sensory overload in a really good way.
It's very remote, incredibly beautiful both above and below the water, and somewhat expensive (has to be, due to the remoteness of the places you will stay and dive). If you've never been there, I highly recommend it ... it's the apex of Pacific Northwest diving.
On a different note, I learned yesterday that the Swell ... a liveaboard that has been doing summer excursions in Port Hardy for the past few years ... has recently been sold. This is the last year it will be operating as a diving boat. So if you want to see Port Hardy that way, this is your last chance to do so.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Threats and ultimatums are never the best answer. Public humiliation via Photoshop is always better - airsix
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
Re: God's Pocket
This deserves a thread of its own. The Swell has basically been the highlight of my short diving experience.Grateful Diver wrote:On a different note, I learned yesterday that the Swell ... has recently been sold. This is the last year it will be operating as a diving boat. So if you want to see Port Hardy that way, this is your last chance to do so.