"Described by many as having 'the best cold-water diving in the known universe', Browning Pass is a narrow body of water situated between Nigei Island and Balaklava Island, located off the northeastern shore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Rich nutrients flow with the currents in the Queen Charlotte Strait from the North, providing an abundance of food for the thousands of species that dwell there – invertebrates, fishes and mammals alike. The rich waters of the strait abound in life – to move your hand in the water is to move dozens of animals - and when such conditions are found in narrowly restricted areas such as Browning Pass the colossal amount of life leaves divers in absolute awe." - John Rawlings, Advanced Diver Magazine

Trip Cost
$980US (based on d/o) Price includes: 5 days/4 nights lodging at Browning Pass Hideaway, up to 4 dives daily (including tanks and weights), 3 hearty homestyle meals daily, R/T boat from Port Hardy to Clam Cove on Nigei Island in Browning Pass, and Canadian taxes.

Divers may upgrade to enriched air for only $5 more per tank!

Not included: Travel to Port Hardy, Canada, gear rental (other than tanks/weights as noted above), trip insurance (required), dive insurance (highly recommended), or any dive crew gratuities.

Itinerary

Thursday, September 1, 2011
Arrive at Browning Pass Hideaway, Clam Cove. Divers meet at the Quarterdeck Inn Pub & Restaurant (next door to the Inn) on Hardy Bay Road. After meeting, we'll all load gear onto our boats and cruise out- usually a 1-1.5 hour trip- to the HideAway. Once there, we'll take a quick tour of the facilities and then we can settle into our cottages & assemble gear in the dive boat. 2 dives are usually planned for this first day- one before supper and one after.

Friday, September 2, 2011 thru Sunday, September 4, 2011
Up to 4 dives a day, typically 3 day dives and 1 night dive daily. Dives are scheduled around tides, weather & currents. Meals, naps, etc, are scheduled between dives! You sleep when there's time! It's all about lots of excellent diving!

Monday, September 5, 2011
On our last day, we do one early dive, then after packing up the boats, we return to Port Hardy by boat by late morning

Diving
1-2 dives on our arrival day, up to 4 dives daily thereafter, and 1 early morning dive on our departure day. Nitrox upgrades available (please call for pricing). September marks an incredible month that overlaps three sighting seasons: Humpbacks, Orcas, and Dolphins!! (please be reminded crew gratuity is not included in the price of the trip. Let your crew know they have done a good job with a tip.)

Certification
All certification levels are welcome, but advanced training is highly recommended!

Dining
Trip price includes all meals. Meals are hearty and served in homestyle tradition.

Lodging
Trip price includes 4 nights bunkhouse accommodations at the Hideaway The Hideaway is rustic and divers will truly be on vacation as this area is remote limiting cell connectivity.

Travel
Divers are responsible for travel to and from Port Hardy. From Portland/Vancouver travel I-5 North toward Blaine, thru border to Tsawwassen (approx. 5.5 hour drive time, not including border crossing time). At Tsawwassen take the BC Ferry to Duke Pt arriving at Nanaimo (2 hour ferry ride). Drive Hwy 19 North toward Campbell River and Port Hardy (approx. 4 hour drive). Divers meet at the Quarterdeck Inn Pub & Restaurant (next door to the Inn) on Hardy Bay Road. The Hideaway crew will meet us at the dock where we load gear onto the boats and cruise to the Hideaway (Approx. 90 min trip).

Forms
Please download, read, fully complete, and return to us the following form before departure: Travel Release.

Pre-Trip Informational Meeting
Join us for a passenger meet & greet evening. Detailed trip information packets to be distributed. Monday, August 1st, 2011 7-9pm