A couple of years ago, I saw on film on British Columbia and it made me decide to dive there once. When I told my family and friends about my next destination, many asked me “where’s that country?”. British Columbia isn’t a country, but a Canadian province. BC is situated at Western Canada, on the Pacific Ocean. The territory surface is close to one million square kilometers and includes the Vancouver Island along with Victoria, the province capitol town.

Between the island and the continent, there are many tiny islands, most of them uninhabited. One of them, Hurst Island, will be our last destination.

From the plane, we pay attention on the region’s immensity and beauty.

We are warmly welcomed on our arrival, in a “Canadian way”.

The underwater world has a great reputation, but diving can be allowed only with a dry suit, especially while diving three or four times a day. Water temperature may vary from 5^oC to 10^oC (41 to 50^oF).

Arrived on the boat, we prepared ourselves for a first dive in the cold water. Sea is not blue, but green and contains many big size species we have never seen before. Many white anemones make water very clear. We can see splendid kelps, nudibranchs, many kinds of fishes and crustaceans. After 30 minutes, we’re back on the boat and we see one of the most memorable images of the week, hunting humpback whales. We dived approximately 20 times during our week on-board.

Underwater, we saw giant 80cm wide (32 inches) Puget Sound King Crabs, big Decorated Warbonnet Blennies, Red Irish Lord, huge gorgonians, sealions and more.

Above the sea level, we saw orcas, humpback whales, sealions, dolphins and more.

The hardest part of the week was when we had to go back home. I came back two months ago of my second trip in British Columbia and I think I won’t be filled up before I’ll get back from my tenth trip in BC.

Enjoy the pictures hereunder!

Claude Ruff

www.aquatilia.com