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Dive Review of Access Diving/Silva Bay Inn in
Canada/Gabriola Island, British Colum

Access Diving/Silva Bay Inn, Aug, 2010,

by Ken Kutner, NJ, US ( 1 report). Report 5687.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling 1 stars
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Gabriola Island is a 20 minute ferry ride from Naimo, Vancouver Island. Stayed at Silva Bay Inn. Very nice motel type rooms. We took the largest, which is like a small apartment. It had 2 bedrooms, fireplace, and a full kitchen. The Inn is kept very nice and has a view of the bay and marina. There is a small but reasonably stocked grocery store down the hill. Very nice and laid back island. Not many choices for restaurants but recently opened Woodfire Pizza/Pasta served great food and was surprisingly upscale. The island has beautiful parks with tidal pools and easy access shoreline for swimming. Fabulous Island for hiking. Dove with Access Diving, the only dive operator on the island. Access diving is run by Wylie Qua who is originally from Toronto. Very interesting and lively instructor who runs a solid operation. He rents full gear including wetsuits. I brought my dry suit for the trip. No nitrox, but at the depths we dove, air was just fine. Saw a number of wolf eels, ling cod, and octopus. Recommend this as a 3-5 day side trip if you are traveling to Vancouver Island.
Websites Access Diving   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving California, NJ, Hawaii, Red Sea, Caribbean Islands, Mexico, etc.
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas calm
Water Temp 54-56°F / 12-13°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 30-40 Ft/ 9-12 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? no

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 1 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Dive operator was quite photography friendly. He provided tips about what to look for and what type of lighting to use. It would of been nice if there was a fresh water rinse tank on board.
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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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