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Dive Review of Browning Pass Hideaway - John deBoeck in
Canada/Port Hardy, Vancouver Island

Browning Pass Hideaway - John deBoeck, Oct, 2013,

by Larry L Bonnett, YT, CA (Reviewer Reviewer 4 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 7401.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments We hit poor weather - it rained most of our stay but the diving was still great. The winds also made heading out to some more remote sites an issue, but there are so many sites close by that we never suffered for lack of a new dive site. That's west coast diving for you - you take the weather that comes and make the best of it - not hard considering the unbelievable abundance of marine life on every dive. Please make sure your buoyancy skills are up to par since there is nowhere you can grab hold of the reef without damaging some life - there are no bare spots left on the walls / reefs. Everything is covered by abundant, colourful life.

A dry suit makes life much more comfortable and take along rain gear as well as warm-weather clothes - you never know what to expect on the west coast!

The accommodations were very comfortable, but somewhat basic and rustic - this is a floating resort with cabins. The food was plain and very good and plentiful with a good variety.

While I was happy with 2 or 3 dives per day, John was very willing to take us out for 3 - 5 dives per day, if we wanted (almost seemed disappointed we did not dive more). Most dive sites are very close to the lodge and most are either walls or reefs - your choice (often at the same site). This is a divers' mecca, not really suitable for non-divers. No problem for beginner divers and John is great at hitting slack or going to sites where currents are not an issue.

Be prepared for sensory overload - it often takes a few dives just to start really seeing things as there is so much to see.

The crew at the resort were great - they offered to dry our under gear between dives, made great snacks and desserts and there always was food left over from every meal.
Websites Browning Pass Hideaway - John deBoeck   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving B.C. Coast, Caribbean, Red Sea, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, East coast of Canada, Alaska, etc.
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 50-55°F / 10-13°C Wetsuit Thickness 7
Water Visibility 30-50 Ft/ 9-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Dive safe and come back from your dive.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish N/A
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments This is a photographer's dream-come-true - so much to see and photograph - make sure your batteries are completely charged before every dive because you will take lots of pictures - from small creatures (nudibranchs, etc.) to corals, sponges, small- and medium-sized fish to large sea lions and large fish. Great visibility ensured we saw much more than we could remember after each dive.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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