EcoGuide British Columbia

ECOGUIDE SCUBA | WHALE WATCHING | KAYAKING | NATURE TOURS

BRITISH COLUMBIA

www.EcoGuideTravelSeries.com

HIDEAWAY

Welcome to the Temperate Paradise I was the product of a SCUBA diving father. Water was my life. Dad was a swimming instructor with the YMCA and became a diving (SCUBA) instructor. I spent every day after school with him in the pool as he tought swimming and SCUBA. As a result, I became indoctrinated with my first open water dive when I was 8.

Richard H. Stewart Editor-in-Chief

So, what does this have to do with British Columbia? My entire career as publisner/editor of SPORT DIVER and OCEAN REALM magazines had my diving/water adventure experiences focused on warm climates, and water! I never thought there was a reason to venture north.

COLD water is something I drank during a hot day in Miami and the Caribbean, it was not something you took a bath in or swam in or, oh my, went diving in!

But here is where my mind-set is after visiting Vancouver.

I made it to the big island of Vancouver (not the same as Vancouver, the city) and within 24 hours my understanding and opinion took a full turn around. I was so blown away with what my eyes where seeing, a rain forest this far north! Until now my rainforest experiences where only tropical.

My experience was so awesome and and it keeps getting better as I see more of what British Columbia has to offer - underwater with it’s Red Sea-like carpets of colorful soft corals, above water - liqued or frozen - the beautiful sceneic vistas, the wildlife, flora and fawna!

The visual stimulations are enless if you love nature!

So, enjoy the EcoGuide British Columbia reading, the social media connections, the resource links and - PLEASE give us feedback, suggestions and tell us about your own BC adventure stories as we want to share your experiences with with everyone that is considering British Columbia their next must see destination!

R -

The Origins Of

British Columbia British Columbua is located on the Noth American west coast at 49.2505° N, 123.1119° W.

The Geography British Columbia Is the westernmost province of Canada. In 1871, it became the sixth province of Canada. British Columbia is also a component of the Pacific Northwest along with the U.S states of Oregon and Washington. The province's name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858. Its Latin motto is Splendor sine occasu ("Splendour without Diminishment").

The capital of British Columbia is Victoria, the 15th largest metropolaton area in Canada, named

for Canada's Queen at Confederation. The largest city is Vancouver, the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada, the largest in Western Candad, and the second largest in the Pacific Northwest. In 2009, British Columbia had an estimated population of 4,419,974 (about two and a half million of whom were in Greater Vancouver. The province is currently governed by the BC Liberal Party, led by Premier Christy Clark, who became leader as a result of the party election on February 26, 2011.

British Columbia Is the westernmost province of Canada. In 1871, it became the sixth province of

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British Columbia Canada. British Columbia is also a component of the Pacific Northwest along with the U.S states of Oregon and Washington. The province's name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858. Its Latin motto is Splendor sine occasu ("Splendour without Diminishment").

The capital of British Columbia is Victoria, the 15th largest metropolaton area in Canada, named

for Canada's Queen at Confederation. The largest city is Vancouver, the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada, the largest in Western Candad, and the second largest in the Pacific Northwest. In 2009, British Columbia had an estimated population of 4,419,974 (about two and a half million of whom were in Greater Vancouver. The province is currently governed by the BC Liberal Party, led by Premier Christy Clark, who became leader as a result of the party election on February 26, 2011.

British Columbia's economy is largely resourcebased. It is the endpoint of transcontinental highways and railways and the site of major Pacific ports, which enable international trade. Though less than five percent of its land is arable, the province is agriculturally rich (particularly in the Fraser and Okanagan Valleys) because of its mild weather. Its climate encourages outdoor recreation and tourism, though its economic mainstay has long been resource extraction, principally logging and mining. While the coast of BC and certain valleys in the south-central part of the province have mild weather, the majority of BC's land mass experiences

a cold winter temperate to subarctic climate similar to the rest of Canada.

British Columbia is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, by the U.S. state of Alaska on the northwest as well as parts of the west, on the north by the Yukon and the Northwest Territories on the east by the province of Alberta, and on the south by the U.S. states of Washington, Idaho and Montana. The current southern border of British Columbia was established by the 1846 Oregon Treaty, although its history is tied with lands as far south as California, British Columbia's land area is 364,800 sq mi. British Columbia’s coastline stretches for more than 17,000 mi, and includes deep, mountainous fjords and about six thousand islands, most of which are uninhabited.

British Columbia's capital is Victoria, located at the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island. The province's most populous city is Vancouver, which is not on Vancouver Island but rather is located in the southwest corner of the mainland (an area often called the Lower Mainland).

The Coast Mountains and the Inside Passages many inlets provide some of British Columbia's renowned and spectacular scenery, which forms the backdrop and context for a growing outdoor adventure and ecotourism industry. Seventy-five percent of the province is mountainous 3,300 ft above sea level; 60% is forested; and only about 5% is arable.

The Okanagan area is one of several winegrowing regions in Canada and also produces ciders; other wine regions in British Columbia include the Cowichin Valley on Vancouver Island, and the Fraser Valley The cities of Kamloops and Penticton and rural towns of Oliver and Osoyoos have some of the warmest and longest summer climates in Canada, although their temperature ranges are exceeded by the warmer Fraser Canyon towns of Lillooet and Lytton, where shade temperatures on summer afternoons often surge to 104 °F but with very low humidity.

Much of the western part of Vancouver Island and the rest of the coast is covered by temperate rainforest. The province's mainland away from the coastal regions is not as moderated by the Pacific Ocean and ranges from desert and semi-arid plateau to the range and canyon districts of the

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British Columbia Central and Southern interior to boreal forest and sub-arctic prairie in the Northern Interior.

A few Southern Interior valleys have short cold winters with infrequent heavy snow, while those in the Cariboo, the southern part of the Central Interior , are colder because of their altitude and latitude, but without the intensity or duration

experienced at similar latitudes elsewhere in Canada. The northern two-thirds of the province is largely unpopulated and undeveloped, and is mostly mountainous except east of the Rockies, where the Peace River District, in the northeast of the province contains BC's portion of the Canadian Prairie.

The Climate As a result of Japan Current, which crosses the North Pacific Ocean, coastal British Columbia has a mild, rainy oceanic climate. Due to the blocking presence of successive mountain ranges, the Interior of the province has a semi-arid climate with certain locations receiving less than 10" in annual precipitation. The annual mean temperature in the most populated areas of the province are above 50 °F, the mildest anywhere in Canada.

Winters can be severe in the Interior and the North. For example, the average overnight low in Prince George (roughly located in the middle of the province) in January is 7 °F. The coldest tempera-

ture in British Columbia was recorded in Smith River, where it dropped to −74 °F one of the coldest readings recorded anywhere in North America.

Southern Interior valleys have shorter winters with brief bouts of cold. Heavy snowfall occurs in the Coast, Columbia and Rocky Mountains providing healthy bases for skiers.

On the Coast, rainfall, sometimes relentless heavy rain, dominates in winter because of consistent barrages of cyclonic low-pressure systems from the North Pacific, but on occasion (and not every winter) heavy snowfalls and below freezing temperatures arrive when modified arctic air reaches coastal areas, typically for short periods.

On the opposite extreme, summers in the Southern Interior valleys are hot; for example in Osoyoos the July Maximum averages 89 °F, hot weather sometimes moves towards the Coast or to the far north of the province. Temperatures exceed 104 °F in the lower elevations of interior valleys during mid-summer, with the record high of 111.9 °F being held in Lytton on July 16, 1941.

The extended summer dryness often creates conditions that spark forest fires, from dry-lightning or man-made causes. Coastal areas are generally milder and dry during summer, under the influence of stable anti-cyclonic high pressure much of the time. Many areas of the province are often covered by a blanket of heavy cloud and low fog during winter, despite sunny summers. Annual sunshine hours vary from 2200 near Cranbrook and Victoria to less than 1300 in Prince Rupert, located on the North Coast, just south of the Alaska Panhandle.

The exception to British Columbia's wet and cloudy winters is El Niño. During this phase, the jet stream is much further south across North America, therefore winters are milder and drier than normal.

Winters are much wetter and cooler under the opposite phase, La Niña.

The Outdoor Lifestyle Given its varied mountainous terrain and its coasts, lakes, rivers, and forests, British Columbia has long been enjoyed for pursuits like hiking and

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British Columbia camping, rock climbing and mountaineering, hunting and fishing.

Water sports, both motorized and non-motorized, are enjoyed in many places. Sea kayaking opportunities abound on the British Columbia coast with its fjords. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular on many inland rivers. Sailing and sailboarding are widely enjoyed.

In winter, cross-country and telemark skiing are much enjoyed, and in recent decades high-quality downhill skiing has been developed in the Coast Mountain range and the Rockies, as well as in the southern areas of the Shuswap Highlands and the Columbia Mountains.Snowboarding has mushroomed in popularity since the early 1990s. The 2010 Winter Olympics downhill events were held in Whistler Blackcomb area of the province, while the indoor events were conducted in the Vancouver area.

In Vancouver and Victoria (as well as some other cities), opportunities for joggers and bicyclists have been developed. Cross-country bike touring has been popular since the ten-speed bike became available many years ago. Since the advent of the more robust mountain bike, trails in more rugged and wild places have been developed for them.

Some of the province's retired rail beds have been converted and maintained for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. Longboarding is also a popular activity because of the hilly geography of the region.

Horseback riding is enjoyed by many British Columbians. Opportunities for trail riding, often into especially scenic areas, have been established for tourists in numerous areas of the province.

British Columbia also has strong participation levels in many other sports, including golf, tennis, soccer, hockey, Canadian football, rugby union, lacrosse, baseball, softball, basketball, curling and figure skating. British Columbia has produced many outstanding athletes, especially in aquatic and winter sports.

Consistent with both increased tourism and increased participation in diverse recreations by British Columbians has been the proliferation of lodges, chalets, bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels, fishing camps, and park-camping facilities in recent

decades.

In certain areas, there are businesses, non-profit societies, or municipal governments dedicated to promoting ecotourism in their region. A number of British Columbia farmers offer visitors to combine tourism with farm work, for example, through the WWOOF Canada program.

The Environment British Columbia contains seven of Canada's national parks: Glacier National Park Gulf Islands National Park Reserve Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site Kootenay National Park Mount Revelstoke National Park Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Yoho National Park British Columbia also contains a large network of provincial parks, run by BC Parks of the Ministry of Environment. British Columbia's provincial parks system is the second largest parks system in Canada (the largest is Canada's National Parks system).

Another tier of parks in British Columbia are regional parks, which are maintained and run by regional districts.

In addition to these areas, over 18,000 sq mi of arable land are protected by the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Fauna Yoho National Park Much of the province is wild or semi-wild, so that populations of many mammalian species that have become rare in much of the United States still flourish in British Columbia. Watching animals of various sorts, including a very wide range of birds, has also long been popular. Bears (grizzly, black,

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and the Kermode bear or spirit bear—found only in British Columbia) live here, as do deer, elk, moose, caribou, big-horn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, beavers, muskrat, coyotes, wolves, mustelids (such as wolverines, badgers and fishers), Cougar, eagles, ospreys, herons, Canada geese, swans, loons, hawks, owls, ravens, Harlequin Ducks, and many other sorts of ducks. Smaller birds (robins, jays, grosbeaks, chickadees, and so on) also abound.

Healthy populations of many sorts of fish are found in the waters (including salmonids such as several species of salmon, trout, char, and so on.). Besides salmon and trout, sport-fishers in B.C. also catch halibut, steelhead, bass, and sturgeon. On the coastlines, Harbor Seals and river otters are common. Cetacean species native to the coast include the Orca, Gray Whale, Harbour Porpoise, Dall's Porpoise, Pacific White-sided Dolphin and Minke Whale.

Cheakamus Lake at dawn, in Garibaldi Provincial Park, B.C. British Columbian introduced species include: common dandelion, ring-necked pheasant, Pacific oyster, brown trout, black slug, European Starling, cowbird, knapweed, bullfrog, purple loosestrife, Scotch broom, Himalayan blackberry, European earwig, tent caterpillar, sowbug, gray squirrel, Asian longhorn beetle, English ivy, Fallow Deer, thistle, gorse, Norway rat, crested mynah, and Asian or European gypsy moth.

Some endangered species in British Columbia are: Vancouver Island marmot, Spotted Owl, American White Pelican, and badgers.

Ecozones Environment Canada subdivides British Columbia into a system of 6 ecozones: Pacific Marine Pacific Maritime Boreal Cordillera Montane Cordillera Taiga Plains Boreal Plains Ecozones.

SUNDOWN

Browning Pass HideAwa

By John Rawlings | Photography by Richard H.Stewart, Joh

When Jacques Cousteau proclaimed that the

spectacular coastal waters of British Columbia, Vancouver Island and Nanaimo are ‘the best temperate water diving in the world and second only to the Red Sea’,

T

he drone of the boat engine assaults my ears as we head further north from our departure point at Port Hardy, just about as far as one can drive on Vancouver Island.

Mounds of dive gear and cases of photo equipment

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are piled on the deck in heaps, and I hear excited conversation from within the cabin. A chill wind blows against my face as I peer ahead toward the entrance of a channel marked with rocks on either side, each

ay Dive Resort

hn Rawlings, Eiko Jones and Stu Seldon

British Columbia is one of the world’s prem completely encircled by mats of glistening brown Bull Kelp. Colossal fir trees hang out over the water’s edge, their intense green seeming to stretch forever into the distance. A black tail deer doe and fawn freeze on

the shore of a tiny cove and stare as we pass by, the fawn’s tail flicking this way and that in curiosity. From a barren tree limb a Bald Eagle glares at us – the sound of our passage clearly an annoyance.

Onboard, all eyes are on the water ahead, straining to detect any movement that might betray the passage of a pod of Orcas or a feeding Humpback whale. Dozens of Rhinoceros Auklets putter about on the

mier dive destinations in North America’. surface, the horn on their beaks marking their species. Churning past the rocks into the mouth of Browning Pass, surrounded by wilderness on all sides, we enter the world of “Clavella John.’ It’s a

moment that I cherish every time I experience it John DeBoeck, fondly known as “Clavella John” to the Haida people, has been guiding trips into the area north of Port Hardy for over 27

years. John was one of the first to discover and record hundreds of dive sites in the region, and few, if any, can claim to know these waters better than he does. “My father was a commercial Salmon fisherman off the

Olympic coast decades ago,” and John reminds me of some of the “old salts” from those years….with a strong mischievous side and a wee bit of raconteur tossed into the mix for good measure.

Everyone is completely enthralled within minutes of departing the wharf at Port Hardy as John regales us with tall tales of whales, wolves and the demise his long-lost love, MV Clavella, sunk at its moorings by a freak storm in 2003. The stories continue and time flies by as we churn past scenes of incredible beauty with nary a sign of mankind.

Eventually, John turns the bow into the snug entrance of Clam Cove, a tiny inlet located on Nigei Island and home of the aptly-named “Hideaway”.

Chugging down a narrow channel, we are greeted by a small hoard of Harbor Seals, who pause in their lightningfast hunt for herring and gaze at us with cow-like eyes as we putter past. Yet another Bald Eagle glares down at us from a tree branch extending over the water as John turns to starboard and we catch our first glimpse of what will be our home-away-from-home for the next several days. The “Hideaway” is just that – a collection of rustic cabins built aboard a large raft of logs floating in the cove – a perfect hideaway from the constant noise and trauma of the outside world. To create an image in your mind, imagine EcoGuide | 16 | British Columbia

visiting an old beloved uncle’s ancient fishing cabin so far out in the woods that you really don’t know if you could ever find it again. Built of cedar, weathered to a pale gray by the wind and rain, decorated with a scrounged collection of fishing lures, nets, Japanese glass floats and ancient scuba gear, the sight of the Hideaway draws me in like a beloved memory. No phone, no television, no internet connection, heated by wood stove, no power except when the generator is running, the Hideaway isn’t exactly what most people think of when they think of a dive vacation destination. It does, however, have a distinct advantage over all the swank dive resorts clustered around the

equator – it is on the very doorstep of Browning Pass, well known for some of the absolute finest cold-water diving on the planet. Current swept and within proximity of the Northern Pacific, Browning Pass is an incredibly rich marine environment attracting divers from around the world. Here a diver can

see and photograph gorgeous and colorful sights rivaling anything to be found on Earth.

The Pacific Northwest is home to thousands of species of invertebrates, marine fishes, and a variety of marine mammals – the majority of this diverse range of species can be found in the waters surrounding Browning Pass. It is this wide diversity coupled with the natural beauty of the overall environment and

often spectacular visibility that have given the area its remarkable reputation. Things are rather “laid-back” at the Hideaway….there are no schedules other than those dictated by the tides. Diving is done at slack and the dive sites are selected based on the vagaries of the weather.

If the wind is howling, the waves are jumping and the current is ripping…. it’s time to cozy up by the wood stove with a good book or tinker with your camera system. But when “things” are right, as they often are, at any time of the day you can expect to see John.

DeBoeck wanders non chalantly over to the group with a mischievous glint in his eye, hands in his pockets, and say, “Anybody up for a dive?”

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Those are words designed to ignite a flurry of “asses and elbows” as everyone leaps for their cameras, lights and other paraphernalia and sprints toward the boat. Within a very short period of time we are chugging away through the channel, salt spray teasing our happily grinning faces…..usually not having a clue where John’s taking us until we get there. I love it. Divers that haven’t been there often think of Browning Pass as a single dive site based on what they have read. They are wrong – there are multiple incredible sites within the Pass and still more in the surrounding areas. Those within the Pass are generally wall dives – each covered with such an absolutely enormous carpet of life that the famous wall dives of the Caribbean seem to pale in comparison.

Joining me on this trip are my friends Josh Smith, BJ Nussbaum, Erin Keck and Chris Lopez. This is their first trip to Browning Pass and anticipation levels have been profound to say the least.

Remembering back to my first time here, I know that they will experience a sense of awe they will vividly remember for

During the week, John would “take the pulse” of the water, winds and tides and successfully dropped us at superb locations years to come. Most of the group will be diving with open circuit, with Josh and me on our closedcircuit

realize just how great the visibility is compared to our waters further south.

Diving with my Classic KISS CCR, I can clearly

rebreathers. Though fantastic diving is available year-round, we have selected mid-April, the dates specially chosen for the best expected visibility. Rolling off the side of the skiff for our first dive, the North Wall, I pause briefly to watch my companions as we slowly sink down into th emerald-green water along the sheer face of the colossal wall.

Anticipating their initial shock, I grin as I watch their reactions. Their eyes are huge as they

hear their whoops and cries of amazement as our descent continues and the bright colors become increasingly apparent. Huge clusters of glowing red and pink soft corals protrude from the wall, billowing outward like massive balls of cotton candy.

Interspersed between these bright splotches of red and pink are hundreds of white and orange Plumose Anemones softly waving in the current, and brightly colored sponges

of all shapes and sizes.

We find ourselves torn between pulling back from the wall to see its total grandeur or hugging it closely to watch the intricate details of life growing or scurrying across it. It is on dives such as this that one truly experiences the startling variety of the invertebrate world – glowing white and yellow basket stars perch atop the fuzzy pink soft corals, their coil-like arms twisting into bizarre shapes like something from the movie “Alien”– huge Puget Sound King Crabs cluster on ledges, their newly-molted shells glowing with brilliant fluorescent orange, yellow an sapphire-blue; bunches of hermit crabs scurry in all directions, making the wall appear to move. Breaking the surface at the end of the dive the first sounds I hear are euphoric shouts and laughter from the open-circuit group… it’s just day 1 of the trip and their expectations have already been exceeded. John calmly

leans back next to his outboard and gives us a knowing grin.

For the rest of the week each dive brings with it its own personality. The sites flow by in wave after wave of color….Eagle Rock…7-Tree Island…

Rock of Life….Browning Wall – each one startlingly unique. It seems as if each site is “color-coded”, with one being primarily orange, another primarily white, and still others primarily red or yellow. It is as though each spot has

been “painted” with various species of encrustingsponge as a means of marking it differently from the others. To the delight of macro photographers, many different and unique species of nudibranchs are found

here, among them a huge species known as the “Orange- Peel” nudibranch, Tochuina tetraquerta. Looking exactly like gigantic orange peel, this species can frequently be seen gliding over bright red and pink stalks of soft corals, giv-

ing photographers opportunities for amazingly colorful shots with stunning contrast. In addition to the invertebrates, fish species abound and divers can frequently find themselves beneath a cloud of Black rockfish, playing

“hide-n-seek” with a yellow-striped China rockfish, or face-to-face with a huge toothy ling cod hanging out on a ledge. A vast array of sculpins can be found here, with one small species, the Scalyhead sculpin, Artedius harringtoni, being partic-

ularly plentiful. Scalyheads can assume the colors of their surroundings and thus often appear to be different species. One of my absolutely favorite fish is the Decorated Warbonnet, Chirolophis decoratus – a beautifully colorful small fish with an elongated body, the Dec-

visibility and the sun shown down through the emerald water - its rays literally danced and glistened on the amazing colors of the wall below. It rivaled absolutely anything that I have seen in the Caribbean or the Pacific and it was only because of the sting of the cold water on my cheeks

Northwest. Savoring the sight, I realized the moment was yet another incredible memory filed away in my mind from the world of “Clavella John”.

Those wishing to experience “The Best Diving in the Known Universe” can contact John DeBoeck in any of the following ways: Mail: P.O. Box 866 Nanaimo, BC Canada V9R 5N2 877-725-2835 or 250-753-3751 www.VancouverIsland Dive.com Information on diving and other opportunities on Vancouver Island can be obtained from:

orated Warbonnet takes its name from a feather like crest beginning at its forehead and extending upward and partially down its back. Solitary and reclusive, this beautiful and amazing fish can often be found staring back at divers from small cracks and crevices on a wall dive or wedged between barnacles, sponges or corals.

The dive I shall remember most from this trip was Browning Wall. We had over 100 feet of perfect

that I recalled where I was. Ascending from deeper water on our CCRs, Josh and I paused for a deep stop at 75 FSW. I looked upward to get my bearings and to locate the rest of our team. To my amazement I could see not only the team at their stop at 15 FSW, but also the dive boat on the surface….a scene considered typical at many tropical destinations, but rare as hens’ teeth in the cold waters of the Pacific

www.vancouverisland. travel/things-to-do/ marine-activities and www.bcferries.com.

Sundown Diving NANAIMO’S NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL REEF DIVES

Rated as one of the best cold water destinations in the world, Vancouver Island diving is without question unlike any other on the planet.

Based in Nanaimo, we are only minutes from the Ferry Landing and Local Airport. Accessible from sea, air and road, Nanaimo is a tourist attraction in of itself with pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and marine parks.

Our shopping malls and attractive downtown esplanade provide additional amenities unlike any where else in the world. Sundown Diving offers you year round, complete dive services. Providing portable boat availability, we can give you destination access to anywhere.

Ed started his diving career in 1983 working with Seafun Divers as a contract commercial diver. He carried on to work with DFO as a research diver starting in 84 and became an instructor in ’85. Ed has also worked for and owned seafood harvest vessels, and continues to do a variety of commercial work including contracts for fish farms, inspections and search and recovery and various other commercial diving needs. In the early ‘90’s Ed became involved with the Nanaimo Emergency Program which worked with a combination of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and P.E.P.

(Provincial Emergency Program. His duties included coxain of vessel, land search and rescue as well as rescue diving and recovery.

Sundown Diving started in 1984 and Ed started teaching diving in 1985. He has owned Sundown Diving since 1986.

Ed has traveled to many dive destinations around the world experiencing a vast array of diving conditions, but still enjoys B.C. diving for its diversity of marine life.

NATURAL REEF DIVES Four-Fathom Reef Four Fathom Reef offers an abundance of life.

It is a known spawning ground for several different species, such as, Wolf Eels, Ling Cod, Greenling, Octopus, and swimming Scallops to name a few. The sea floor depth is 130+ feet, and an underwater pinnacle rises as shallow as 24 feet. This dive can only be experienced on a flat calm day.

Jesse Island Jesse Island is a small sheltered island in Departure Bay, with the best diving located on the North Western side of the island. This site offers caves, swim throughs, rock pillars, and a wide range of sea life including Nudibranchs, Crimson and Plumose Anemones, to name a few, and you may even get to see an Octopus. This dive site boasts good accessibility by boat and is a dive for all diver experience levels. It is a popular location for sightseeing and photographers.

Snake Island Wall This wall dive begins in approximately 66 feet of water and descends vertically to well over 700 feet. Most notable on the wall are large colonies of Cloud Sponges and Plumose Anemones. Although this can be a deep dive, those who prefer a more gentle approach can easily follow the wall down to a comfortable depth, with out missing any interesting life. There are many suitable ledges for safety stops, and closer viewing. It is highly

likely that you will encounter the playfulness of the seals as they come to check you out.

Orlebar Point A beautiful 30 minute boat ride takes you to Orlebar Point. Located on the North Eastern tip of Gabriola Island, this amazing dive site offers excitement for the beginner diver to the advanced diver and beyond.

In the shallows, the bottom is rocky and sandy at 10-20 feet. A short swim downward takes you over the shallows to the wall, which starts at around 40-50 feet and drops off to a greater depth of over 200 feet.

Commonly found species along the wall range from Crimson Anemones, Scarlet Dahlia Anemones, Plumose Anemones, Transparent Sea Peaches, Orange Cup Coral, Various species of fish, Giant Pacific Octopus, and shrimp, commonly Candy Strip Shrimp are found at the base of the Crimson Anemones.

Clark Rock Clark rock is a rocky reef located in Hammond bay. It is a great dive for the beginner right up to the experienced diver. It is well known for its abundance of Wolf Eels, sea pens, Kelp Greenling, Rock Fish, Fields of Red Urchins, and Octopus too.

www.RichardHStewartIV.com

Conveniently located downtown Nanaimo, Sundown Diving is a private company offering dive charters, equipment and training.

ARTIFICIAL REEF DIVES HMCS Saskatchewan The HMCS Saskatchewan is a 366-foot Mackenzie class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Forces. She was scuttled on June 14 1997 just off of Snake Island. She rests in about 130 feet with the bulk of the vessel in at a depth of 80-100 feet. Always a point of interest, the Saskatchewan still has her forward gun, and her aft gun. The Saskatchewan has become a safe harbor for several different life forms such as: Cloud Sponges, Feather Stars, Plumose Anemones, White Lines Dirona, Swimming Scallops, Wolf Eels, Octopus and so much more.

HMCS Cape Breton The HMCS Cape Breton found her new home in 140 feet of water on October 20, 2001. She is a WWII Naval Vessel and is known for being the world's second largest artificial reef, with 411 feet of her beauty resting in our waters. Formerly the HMS Flamborough Head, she was launched in 1944 at the Burrard Dry-dock facility in Northern Vancouver.

She too is a resident just off of Snake Island, with approximately 300 feet separating her from the HMCS Saskatchewan. Her crow's nest sits at a depth of roughly 40 feet and is accessible to all divers. There is a large amount of life on the HMCS Cape Breton also ranging from a variety of Sculpins, to Brittle Stars, Yellow Eye rockfish, Ling Cod, and Octopus, to name a few.

Rivtow Lion The Rivtow Lion, originally commissioned the HMRT Prudent, is a 157 foot rescue tug, built in Selby England in 1940. She was built to tow Convoy Ships that had been damaged by German U-Boats in WWII. She was sunk February 6 2005 and rests just off of Newcastle Island in Departure Bay. The main deck sits at about 60 feet. The wreck was sunk in a sheltered location so she is always a safe alternative to diving the bigger wrecks which are exposed. This is an excellent dive for the novice to the experienced diver. It is also a great location to the start of the Wreck Diver Program. The Rivtow Lion has quickly become home to many different species of life ranging from Sea Stars, Swimming Scallops, Plumose Anemones, Shrimp, and Brittle Stars to Ling Cod, Decorator Crabs and even Octopus.

Nanaimo is home to the best of British Columbia's world famous wrecks

www.EikoJonesPhotography.com

SNORKELING WITH THE SEALS For Divers and non divers, there is no other experience like snorkeling with the seals. A 15 minute boat ride takes you out to the beautiful Snake Island where on any given day the harbor seals can be found in abundance on the shores resting or playing in the surrounding waters.

Some days the seals are very curious and will come up to you to investigate, looking you in the face, brushing by you, or showing you how to catch a meal. Other days they will watch you from the shores, keeping a bit of distance between you and them. There is always more life to be experienced in the water than just the seals, and it is common to see Bald Eagles, Oyster Catchers, Canadian Geese, and Cormorants at Snake Island as well as it is also a natural bird sanctuary.

SUNDOWN DIVING 888.773.3483 | 250.753.1880 22 Esplanade, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island Info@SundownDiving.com www.SundownDiving.com

For your comfort, we outfit you in wetsuit, hoods, gloves, boots, fins, mask and snorkel, and weight belt if required The whole process usually takes about 4 hours from your arrival to the shop to get geared up, to your arrival back at the dock after your exciting day. All you need to bring with you is a bathing suit and a towel. Feel free to bring a camera too if you want pictures We offer Snorkeling with the Seals Charter for all ages that can swim, (with parental supervision)

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www.RichardHStewartIV.com

Visions of Vancouver Island an above and below portfolio of images

by Vancouver Islander, Eiko Jones

The Vancouver Island region is a large, sparsely populated area, encompassing Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and a portion of the mainland.

Condé Nast Traveler magazine's 2012 Readers' Choice Awards ranked Vancouver Island number one in its "Top 5 Islands in Canada" category.

It has one of the world's most diverse ecosystems: Rainforests, marshes,

meadows, beaches, mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes create habitats for multitudes of wildlife species.

In fact, the region is one of the world's premier locations for whale watching, birding, as well as salmon and trout fishing.

Vancouver Island

Much of the island is protected parkland. It contains many pockets of old-growth fir and cedar forests, as well as rare, naturally occurring groves of Garry oak.

Vancouver Island is bisected, north to south, by the Beaufort Mountain Range, which is home to one of Canada's biggest all-natural ski bases.

The beauty and tranquility of this region has long been a

draw for artists and artisans.

Art galleries, studios and shops selling unique, locally produced arts and crafts are found in many population centres, particularly on the Gulf Islands.

Explore the Region’s Popular Areas Central Island

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The Central Island area offers long sandy beaches, warm ocean temperatures, and tranquil lakes, great for fishing and water activities.

Cowichan Valley

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The Cowichan Valley's "Gourmet Trail," marked by wineries, farmers market, fresh seafood docks and holistic farms, is ideal for f ood and wine enthusiasts.

Gulf Islands

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Between Vancouver Island and the mainland, the sheltered waters of the Gulf sailing, scuba diving and fishing.

North Central

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The North Central area features Vancouver Island's highest peak, and offers great winter skiing and snowboarding at Mount Washington.

North Island

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Rich in First Nations history and culture, the North Island area is home to Sointula and Alert Bay, two of Vancouver Island's most significant historic destinations.

Pacific Rim

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The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve offers spectacular wilderness and wildlife viewing. By kayak, explore clusters of islands.

South Island

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Including the beautiful city of Victoria, the South Island area ranges from a vibrant metropolitan atmosphere and tranquil natural settings.

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Things To Do In British Columbia There are always exciting things to do in British Columbia. In fact, the challenge in British Columbia is not figuring out what do to, but how to do it all.

There are myriads of municipal, provincial and national parks in which to walk, hike and bike.

Thanks to a temperate climate, golf enthusiasts can indulge in their passion nearly year round. In the mountains, powder snow draws skiers from around the world. And BC’s coast and waterways are perfect for fishing, canoeing and kayaking, river rafting

and diving.

Spectacular viewpoints, wildlife viewing opportunities (including whale-watching tours or bearwatching tours) and many sites of historic and cultural interest are found throughout BC. Read about some of the 50 things to do before you die featured in British Columbia Magazine. Or check out a long list of British Columbia trip ideas that includes family fun, outdoor adventure, culinary destinations and much more.

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British Columbia is a land of active vacations. The choices are endless: wilderness or car-accessible camping in spectacular natural settings; single or multi-day hiking treks through backcountry; cycling along city paths or mountain biking down steep vertical terrain.

BC’s waters also offer an exciting variety of activities. Try fishing for salmon and halibut, or go canoeing and kayaking along ocean coastlines or the world-famous Bowron Lakes. River rafting offers plenty of thrills, and BC's coastal waters are renowned for coldwater diving and excellent whale watching opportunities.

Go golfing on courses set against dramatic, panoramic vistas, or try rounding up cattle or relaxing at guest ranches. Explore BC's Aboriginal history or discover its heritage sites. Scale towering granite cliffs at popular rock climbing sites, or venture underground to see exotic rock formations on a caving tour.

Looking for a water-based vacation? British Columbia is the right place. Its two largest cities are right by the ocean, while many communities are situated by lakes or rivers. Go fishing, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, river rafting, or boating in all of BC's six diverse regions.

While Vancouver, Whistler, and Victoria are major hubs of activity in BC, outdoor adventure opportunities span the province. Looking for some energizing travel itineraries? Check out the list of outdoor adventure trip ideas for some of BC's regions and cities.

Try diving in Vancouver Island's coastal waters, regarded by the international diving community as second only to the Red Sea in terms of clarity and diverse marine life. Take a cruise to Alaska through BC’s renowned Inside Passage. Paddle the magnificent

www.WorldWildlife.org

Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.

eral waters of a natural hot spring.

Enjoy whale watching near the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve or at Prince Rupert in Northern British Columbia. Natural mineral hot springs are located throughout the province, so opportunities for rejuvenation and restoration are always at hand.

Wildlife in BC

British Columbia is known for its spectacular national and provincial parks and abundant wildlife.

Incredible BC Scenery Across the province, gaze up at majestic mountains (many of them rising more than 3,000m/9,843ft), and explore ancient old-growth forests. Discover caves and hoodoos (ancient, stone-like pillars), and amble along long sandy beaches. Hike through alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers and trek to some of Canada's highest waterfalls. To relax, slip into the min-

Look for wildlife while enjoying the scenery: go bird watching; join a whale watching tour; or spot grizzly bears pawing for salmon on a bear watching tour.

Bald eagles often soar above, while mountain goats, moose and caribou roam BC's parks.

Mountains reign supreme in British Columbia, and in the winter, they're coated in snow.

British Columbia has terrific skiing and snowboarding resorts throughout the province as well as backcountry skiing opportunities in national and provincial parks.

Whistler Blackcomb is one of the top-rated ski resorts in North America and was the host mountain resort of the 2010 Olympic &

Paralympic Winter Games. For some of the world's best powder and heli-skiing, head to the Bugaboos in the Kootenay Rockies region.

Both cat-skiing and heli-skiing were pioneered in the Kootenay Rockies region, which is also home to some of the best snowmobiling terrain in the world.

Mackenzie in the Northern British Columbia region and Sicamous in the Thompson Okanagan region are also snowmobile hot spots.

Incredible cross-country skiing terrain is found throughout BC, which has more than 50 designated nordic ski areas. Another two growing winter sports in BC, pursued both leisurely and competitively, are dogsledding and snowshoeing.

ECOGUIDE COSTA RICA DIRECTORY Only 5 minutes from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Free tranportation.

Free full breakfast buffet.

www.hotelaeropuerto.co.cr ECOGUIDE INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY

EcoGuide Travel Series is published by EcoMedia & Marketing, Ltd., New Smyrna Beach, FL / Manhattan Beach, CA. Richard H. Stewart, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Sherry Sabety, Co-Publisher/Managing Director. East Coast U.S. Sales; 352.817.5893, Richard@EcoMediaMarketing.com; West Coast US Sales: 310.494.1964, Sherry@EcoMediaMarketing.com. Content may not be reproduced without written permission. ECOGUIDE is a trademark of EcoMedia & Marketing, LLC. U.S. Ph: 352.817.5893, info@EcoGuideTravelSeries.com.