The Vancouver Traveler » Sunshine-Coast

Saltery Bay Dive Getaway

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:00:11 +0000

Here it is a month back in Canada, and I have the bug again….DIVING!! Here is a trip that is going to be amazing!! Join Suncoast Diving for a fun filled weekend of diving in scenic Powell River, home to such famous sites as Mermaid Cove, Octopus City & Wreck of the Malahat. Accommodations will be in a cozy, beach front cabin with shore dives right at your doorstep. All levels of divers are welcome!!

Price $150.00 per person + tax
Includes 2 boat dives, 2 shore dives, tanks weights & cabin style accommodations
Additional shore dives available @$7.00 per air fill
Food and Ferry costs not included
Trip date is May 9th – 11th, 2008

For more information visit Suncoast Diving or call 866.740.8006 or 604.740.8006 Don’t miss out…the Diving is amazing!! Plus I will most likely see you there

Photo Credit: Private Collection

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

The Beachcombers

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:42:59 +0000

The Beachcombers 35th Anniversary Events are planned for Gibsons, British Columbia. The Beachcombers was one of the longest running Canadian TV show. I remember watching Sunday evenings as a young boy. Here is proof that Molly’s is still standing!

For more information concerning the Anniversary, visit the Beachcombers website

Photo Credit: Private Stock

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Tuwanek Abyss: Sunshine Coast

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:09:40 +0000

Two days back in BC from my travels in Southeast Asia, and I was out on the zodiac. Needless to say the 5 degree weather was certainly not the 38 degrees I had become use to.
So, off to the Abyss, this beautiful beach, wall dive area about 10 minutes up the Sechelt Inlet.
We rolled into the beach area around 10:30 am, and we took our time getting ready, since it had been a few months since I suited up for cold water diving. I forgot how heavy 10kg on a weight belt actually felt like. My buddy Sammy and I worked everything out, planned our dive and headed into the water. The visibility in the inlet right now is not all that great, it is pretty mucky, but still the dive went very well.
I was surprised with the difference from the tropical diving I had recently done, simply there does not to seem to be the schooling fish, and the bright flashes of color I had become use to.
However, there were a couple of very large ling cods, many crabs, chimney sponges, and lots of vegetation. Overall it was an excellent dive, and it was all thanks to Suncoast Diving, one of the best dive centers I have dove with.

Photo Credits: My private collection

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

West Coast Marine Life

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:01:48 +0000

Just a small example of the beautiful marine life that can be found on the West Coast of Canada. This image was taken during a shore dive off Tuwanek Beach in Sechelt BC

Photo Credit: My Private Collection

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Fishing Anyone

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:06:14 +0000

If there is one thing that comes to mind about the West Coast of Canada, it is the beautiful blue cool water….and fishing boats. This is a small little fishing village up the coast from Vancouver. There is always a beautiful and rustic place to visit on those Sunday afternoon’s when you have nothing to do.

Photo Credit: My Private Stock.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Suncoast Diving

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:00:56 +0000

Well, as you can probably tell…I have this thing for scuba diving. Every chance I get I jump in the ocean, lake, or puddle just to see what is in there. With that all being said, I feel a need to write about a certain dive shop on the Sunshine Coast called Suncoast Diving.
This dive center is open year around, and offers all types of training from PADI, SDI, and even TDI.

Suncoast Diving caters to the customer, to their needs, and enjoyment when it comes to scuba diving. The shop offers everything from air, nitrox and even trimix fills with the correct certification cards. As well, they have a huge line of retail items both for the cold water diving, and warm water. There are always dive trips going out…either up the Sechelt Inlet, or organized trips to some tropical location.

So all you divers out there looking for some great diving, or dive training, or even just a place to stop by for some conversation, Suncoast Diving is the place to go. Be sure to get in there, as the summer schedule is being built as we speak….don’t miss out!

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Sechelt Inlet

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:07:54 +0000

A light dusting of snow on the mountains surrounding the Sechelt Inlet on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:08:57 +0000

Sechelt was blessed with a pod of approximately 70 -90 Pacific White sided Dolphins in the inlet. They were very much open to divers and snorkelers a like to jump in the water with them, and have a good romp!

Photo Credits: From my Personal Library.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

HMCS CHAUDIERE

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:00:52 +0000

With the Christmas break upon us, there is plenty of spare time to get out and enjoy a good dive. Yes the water will be a chilly 48 degrees, but the visibility will be amazing, in around 30 – 40 foot level. So, if you find yourself up on the Sunshine coast, you should make arrangements to dive the HMCS CHAUDIERE, a 1950’s vintage Destroyer Escort.

She was sunk in the early 90’s and is resting on her port side. The stern section is in 50 feet of water and the bow at 130 feet. This dive can be enjoyed from all levels of diver. In order to dive her, you will need to travel up the Sechelt inlet with one of the dive operations in Sechelt. I personally have used Suncoast Diving, which offers a two tank dive, at last prices of $110.00. This includes weights and tanks, but if you need to rent equipment the price is slightly higher.

I can think of no better way to spend the holidays, then underwater exploring our beautiful oceans!

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

BC Ferries

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:00:37 +0000

BC Ferries as two mainland ferry terminals, Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay, which provide transportation to Vancouver Island, the Gulf Island and the Sunshine Coast.

Tsawwassen is approximately 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay takes about the same amount of tim, but is north of Vancouver.

Schedules are always changing depending on the season, and some routes can get extremely busy, especially during the summer months.

Ferries usually run every 1 to 2 hours depending on the route.
For current schedule information and fares it is best to check out their web site at www.bcferries.bc.ca

I highly recommend making reservations on the more popular routes during the summer months, especially on long weekends. It costs a bit more, but is well worth it!
I have spend many hours in long, hot line-ups wishing I had done the same. It is not uncommon to have to wait one or two sailing to catch your ferry during during these busy times.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler