Vancouver Isalnd / Browning Pass Hideaway

MM77 · 20th January 2008, 19:58

Hi Folks,

My club is planning a trip out to Vancouver Island / Browning pass hideaway next year. Just wondered if anyone had been diving that way or used this operator VancouverIslandDive.com

Thanks

Mus

silentscuba · 20th January 2008, 23:15

Quote: (Originally Posted by MM77)

Hi Folks,

My club is planning a trip out to Vancouver Island / Browning pass hideaway next year. Just wondered if anyone had been diving that way or used this operator VancouverIslandDive.com

Thanks

Mus

That is a fantastic area to dive, John Rawlings was just up there I will see if he will post some info for you.

silentscuba · 20th January 2008, 23:26

Here is a link to a post the John Rawlings did on Northwestdiveclub.com

Northwest Dive Club :: View topic - Port Hardy BC and Browning Pass Hideaway

Nailer99 · 21st January 2008, 00:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by silentscuba)

Here is a link to a post the John Rawlings did on Northwestdiveclub.com

Northwest Dive Club :: View topic - Port Hardy BC and Browning Pass Hideaway

You beat me to it, Curt! I'm headed up there with John in April, and I can't wait! The pictures were amazing!

Heavy Breather · 21st January 2008, 02:52

Quote: (Originally Posted by MM77)

Hi Folks,

My club is planning a trip out to Vancouver Island / Browning pass hideaway next year. Just wondered if anyone had been diving that way or used this operator VancouverIslandDive.com

Thanks

Mus

You are in for a real treat. Some of, if not the best, west coast life to be seen. Used to go up once a year onboard the Mamro, or the Sea Venture (decommissioned). I believe the Nautilus still does a run up there as well. The life on Browning wall is fabulous, stunning and lots of it.
We saw pacific white side dolphins, humpbacks, Grey whales, oodles of Orcas, heard them underwater too at Dillon Rock. We did some OC Tech training up there years ago.
Do not miss Browning's Pass, Snowball, Seven tree, Hunt Rock, Fantasy island.
If you get over there to Slingsby Channel try Tremble Island, (Turret Rock). About the 2nd fastest natural tidal flow in BC. I think Skookimchuk is the fastest. But this is a rush to do on the slack. Fast water means lots of life.

There is always a chance you could get fogged in. But you can still dive somewhere.
Try for June to August. It is a rain forest after all. This might be your driest time to go.
Pack dry-suits, lights, warm clothes, rain gear.

HB

MM77 · 21st January 2008, 10:46

Thanks Folks - I think I'm convinced

Sounds pretty impressive. Never been to Canada so should make for BIG adventure!!

Take Care

Mus

John Rawlings · 21st January 2008, 12:34

I don't know if you read the link to NWDC mentioned above by Curt or not, but make certain that your club understands that the "hideaway" is just that! It is not a resort, but is a group of small rustic cabins on a floating raft in an isolated bay. John Deboeck knows those waters like the back of his hand and will drop you at sites that will take your breath away, but do NOT expect pampering or luxury of any kind.

What you CAN expect is to dive sites that you will remember for a lifetime.

Just pretend that you are going off to visit a beloved but essentric uncle deep in the woods, turn yourself over to HIS schedule once you get there, and you will have an absolutely stupendous time.

I'm going back in April and cannot wait to do so!

- John

John Rawlings · 19th April 2008, 23:01

Just returned from 5 days of CCR diving up at the Hideaway with John deBoeck. The dives were flat out superb. We had 100 foot+ vis on Browning Wall itself and between 70 and 80 feet of vis on the other walls. Cold water soft-corals were everywhere! I took some shots from 80 + FSW showing the dive boat on the surface that look like the Caribbean on a clear day.

My dive buddy, Nailer on RBW, dived with his COPIS Meg and I was on my Classic KISS. In addition to the dives in Browning Passage, we crossed the Queen Charlotte Strait and dived at Nakwakto Rapids....Hoooo Boy!....what a wild ride that dive was!

I'm curious - has anyone on RBW ever dived the Nakwakto Rapids on a KISS? John deBoeck of the Hideaway and Danny from Mamro Adventures recalled a couple of Meg pilots, but thought that I might have been the first there with a KISS.

A fantastic place....isolated, gorgeous, and like Heaven on Earth.

- John

Nailer99 · 20th April 2008, 02:04

Northwest Dive Club • View topic - Port Hardy/ Browning Pass Hideaway

Trip report can be found in the link above. Best diving I've ever done- completely amazing sites, crazy visibility, and the best local guide you could hope for- highly, highly recommended!

MM77 · 21st April 2008, 05:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by Nailer99)

Northwest Dive Club • View topic - Port Hardy/ Browning Pass Hideaway

Trip report can be found in the link above. Best diving I've ever done- completely amazing sites, crazy visibility, and the best local guide you could hope for- highly, highly recommended!

Great trip report - Thanks

20th January 2008, 19:58	#1 (permalink)
MM77 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London / Surrey Posts: 22	Vancouver Island / Browning Pass Hideaway Hi Folks, My club is planning a trip out to Vancouver Island / Browning pass hideaway next year. Just wondered if anyone had been diving that way or used this operator VancouverIslandDive.com Thanks Mus Last edited by MM77 : 20th January 2008 at 20:03. Reason: Dodgy typing :0)
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20th January 2008, 23:15	#2 (permalink)
silentscuba rEvo CCR Driver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic rEvo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mill Creek, WA USA Posts: 612	Re: Vancouver Island / Browning Pass Hideaway Quote: (Originally Posted by MM77) Hi Folks, My club is planning a trip out to Vancouver Island / Browning pass hideaway next year. Just wondered if anyone had been diving that way or used this operator VancouverIslandDive.com Thanks Mus That is a fantastic area to dive, John Rawlings was just up there I will see if he will post some info for you. __________________ Curt McNamee rEvo CCR Diver KISS CCR Diver www.silentscuba.com
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20th January 2008, 23:26	#3 (permalink)
silentscuba rEvo CCR Driver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic rEvo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mill Creek, WA USA Posts: 612	Re: Vancouver Isalnd / Browning Pass Hideaway Here is a link to a post the John Rawlings did on Northwestdiveclub.com Northwest Dive Club :: View topic - Port Hardy BC and Browning Pass Hideaway __________________ Curt McNamee rEvo CCR Diver KISS CCR Diver www.silentscuba.com
(Offline)

21st January 2008, 00:20	#4 (permalink)
Nailer99 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 280	Re: Vancouver Isalnd / Browning Pass Hideaway Quote: (Originally Posted by silentscuba) Here is a link to a post the John Rawlings did on Northwestdiveclub.com Northwest Dive Club :: View topic - Port Hardy BC and Browning Pass Hideaway You beat me to it, Curt! I'm headed up there with John in April, and I can't wait! The pictures were amazing!
(Offline)

21st January 2008, 02:52	#5 (permalink)
Heavy Breather RBW Writer Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 27	Re: Vancouver Island / Browning Pass Hideaway Quote: (Originally Posted by MM77) Hi Folks, My club is planning a trip out to Vancouver Island / Browning pass hideaway next year. Just wondered if anyone had been diving that way or used this operator VancouverIslandDive.com Thanks Mus You are in for a real treat. Some of, if not the best, west coast life to be seen. Used to go up once a year onboard the Mamro, or the Sea Venture (decommissioned). I believe the Nautilus still does a run up there as well. The life on Browning wall is fabulous, stunning and lots of it. We saw pacific white side dolphins, humpbacks, Grey whales, oodles of Orcas, heard them underwater too at Dillon Rock. We did some OC Tech training up there years ago. Do not miss Browning's Pass, Snowball, Seven tree, Hunt Rock, Fantasy island. If you get over there to Slingsby Channel try Tremble Island, (Turret Rock). About the 2nd fastest natural tidal flow in BC. I think Skookimchuk is the fastest. But this is a rush to do on the slack. Fast water means lots of life. There is always a chance you could get fogged in. But you can still dive somewhere. Try for June to August. It is a rain forest after all. This might be your driest time to go. Pack dry-suits, lights, warm clothes, rain gear. HB __________________ ( You can get a lot more done with a kind word and a gun than with a kind word alone. Al Capone’s Law ) Last edited by Heavy Breather : 21st January 2008 at 02:56.
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21st January 2008, 10:46	#6 (permalink)
MM77 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London / Surrey Posts: 22	Re: Vancouver Isalnd / Browning Pass Hideaway Thanks Folks - I think I'm convinced Sounds pretty impressive. Never been to Canada so should make for BIG adventure!! Take Care Mus
(Offline)

21st January 2008, 12:34	#7 (permalink)
John Rawlings ADM/RBW Staff Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 95	Re: Vancouver Isalnd / Browning Pass Hideaway I don't know if you read the link to NWDC mentioned above by Curt or not, but make certain that your club understands that the "hideaway" is just that! It is not a resort, but is a group of small rustic cabins on a floating raft in an isolated bay. John Deboeck knows those waters like the back of his hand and will drop you at sites that will take your breath away, but do NOT expect pampering or luxury of any kind. What you CAN expect is to dive sites that you will remember for a lifetime. Just pretend that you are going off to visit a beloved but essentric uncle deep in the woods, turn yourself over to HIS schedule once you get there, and you will have an absolutely stupendous time. I'm going back in April and cannot wait to do so! - John
(Online)

19th April 2008, 23:01	#8 (permalink)
John Rawlings ADM/RBW Staff Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 95	Re: Vancouver Isalnd / Browning Pass Hideaway Just returned from 5 days of CCR diving up at the Hideaway with John deBoeck. The dives were flat out superb. We had 100 foot+ vis on Browning Wall itself and between 70 and 80 feet of vis on the other walls. Cold water soft-corals were everywhere! I took some shots from 80 + FSW showing the dive boat on the surface that look like the Caribbean on a clear day. My dive buddy, Nailer on RBW, dived with his COPIS Meg and I was on my Classic KISS. In addition to the dives in Browning Passage, we crossed the Queen Charlotte Strait and dived at Nakwakto Rapids....Hoooo Boy!....what a wild ride that dive was! I'm curious - has anyone on RBW ever dived the Nakwakto Rapids on a KISS? John deBoeck of the Hideaway and Danny from Mamro Adventures recalled a couple of Meg pilots, but thought that I might have been the first there with a KISS. A fantastic place....isolated, gorgeous, and like Heaven on Earth. - John
(Online)

20th April 2008, 02:04	#9 (permalink)
Nailer99 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 280	Re: Vancouver Isalnd / Browning Pass Hideaway Northwest Dive Club • View topic - Port Hardy/ Browning Pass Hideaway Trip report can be found in the link above. Best diving I've ever done- completely amazing sites, crazy visibility, and the best local guide you could hope for- highly, highly recommended!
(Offline)

21st April 2008, 05:45	#10 (permalink)
MM77 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London / Surrey Posts: 22	Re: Vancouver Isalnd / Browning Pass Hideaway Quote: (Originally Posted by Nailer99) Northwest Dive Club • View topic - Port Hardy/ Browning Pass Hideaway Trip report can be found in the link above. Best diving I've ever done- completely amazing sites, crazy visibility, and the best local guide you could hope for- highly, highly recommended! Great trip report - Thanks
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