Nestled in the very tip of Vancouver Island is a true diving mecca.  Supposedly Jacques Cousteau even once called Browning Pass “the best cold water diving in the world.”

I headed north from Seattle via ferry, bus, and small boat to check it out for myself…only to see that it is impossible to disagree with Cousteau.

John de Boeck, owner of Browning Pass Hideaway Resort, kindly hosted me for five days of British Columbia diving.  John’s resort is a floating oasis for divers hidden deep in the Gordon Island chain — a 15 mile boat ride from the nearest town.

Every day John reads the tides and weather before taking divers out to the diverse sites of Browning Pass.  Life fills every nook and cranny of huge walls, old wrecks, and sea mounts.  Once I acclimated to the 8C waters, I could not believe what my eyes were seeing.

Gaining experience in cold water diving, as well as learning from the other professional underwater photographers staying at the Hideaway was an invaluable experience.  Thank you to John for hosting me, and to Nauticam, Reef Photo & Video, DUI, Aqualung, Fourth Element, and Halcyon for outfitting me for this adventure!  As always, thank you to Rolex and OWUSS for this ongoing incredible year.  Next stop — Vancouver city!