Holidays - what to do, where to go?

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Tim Ingmire

But surely thats going to be waaaay colder than around the UK at this time of year Lou?

We went about now, and you are really looking at Scapa sort of temps. maybe a bit colder, but not that bad. It isn't Arctic or anything, and the diving is lovely.

Some basic information about the coastal B.C. waters that will help make your diving experience, a memorable one. You can enjoy year round diving in the Strait of Georgia. The winter months are best for the diver who is also a photographer, as visibility is clearer when plankton activity is low and there's very little river run-off.

Water temperature is affected by depth and currents in all diving sites. In British Columbia the summer surface temperatures range from 12 to 18 degrees Celsius (54 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit) and in winter they vary from 4 to 8 degrees Celsius (49 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit). But once you reach a depth of 9 to 12 meters (30 to 40 feet), the temperature is quite stable throughout the year, at about 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit). Locals, dive all year round wearing custom-fitted dry suits or custom-fitted wet suits of neoprene. The choice is yours.

River run-off in spring and rainstorms can cause murky water, check your charters and dive these areas when good weather returns. Industrial pollution impedes visibility, so it's best to avoid mining sites, logging operations and factories.

The growth of plankton happens twice a year in the North Pacific and can cloud the top 6 to 9 meters (20 to 30 feet) of water. The first "bloom" happens in the spring, any time from March through to May, the second growth might come in late summer or early autumn, anytime from August through to late September, or early October. During these time period you should find a deep dive site to enjoy good visibility.

John gulliver would recommend God's Pocket as the best of the best, but we liked Quadra when we went (haven't been to God's pocket. John has done both...several times

[Mark Davies]

I can't believe that you are once again going to use up all your diving Brownie points to go and bugger off without me and condemn me to another year without a diving holiday!

[Conor]

Got to tenerife, buy a yellow mask...that should give you the green you require.

[Bunty]

Here in Malta and Gozo we have just had a storm and the water in certain parts of the island is green right now!

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Mark Davies

I can't believe that you are once again going to use up all your diving Brownie points to go and bugger off without me and condemn me to another year without a diving holiday!

Aawww poor ickle Mark is big bad Timmy going away without you.

[Tim Ingmire]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Aawww poor ickle Mark is big bad Timmy going away without you.

That'll Timmy Wimmy if you don't mind

[tom]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Aawww poor ickle Mark is big bad Timmy going away without you.

Yes, he's got some new friends now that he's in Compressor Club, and he doesn't need you any more. He's going away with the other big boys who've got their own compressors. They'll probably be laughing at you behind your back, poking fun at the fact that you still have to go the LDS for gas. Face it, Mark, it's over.

[Conor]

ouch

[NotDeadYet]

Green water... I really liked the fjords around Stavanger. All shore diving, very clear water (I'd imagine the algae bloom will be gone at this time of year) and you can pick whatever depth you like. Shore diving so shouldn't be expensive.

Oban/Hebrides? There's always places to dive regardless of weather. And if not then there are the distilleries