Port Hardy and Port McNeil Weekend Trip
Why train with us?
-
Low student to instructor ratios : 3 or 4 students per instructor both in the pool and ocean
-
Our retail store is located downtown.
-
Diving courses available all year-round. Private courses available.
-
We teach children 10 years and older.
-
Passionate team of Instructors and Divemasters who love to teach.
Port Hardy & Port McNeill Weekend Scuba Diving Trip | Vancouver Island’s Best Cold Water Diving
Join Diving Sports Canada for an unforgettable 4-day scuba diving expedition to Port Hardy and Port McNeill — home to the most famous cold-water dive sites in Canada, including the legendary Browning Pass. This trip includes 3 days of boat diving, whale watching, accommodations, ferry fees, transportation, and guided diving across Vancouver Island’s richest marine ecosystems.
Marine Life Highlights:
Expect vibrant cold-water reefs, giant plumose anemones, kelp forests, feather stars, wolf eels, Giant Pacific octopus, nudibranchs, rockfish, sea lions, and the dense biodiversity that makes Browning Pass one of the world’s top cold-water dive destinations.
Who Is This Trip For?
- Divers seeking world-class cold-water diving
- Macro and wide-angle underwater photographers
- Advanced divers comfortable with currents and boat diving
- Anyone wanting to explore Vancouver Island’s most iconic dive sites
What’s Included:
- Round-trip transportation from our Vancouver dive shop
- Ferry fees, fuel charges & all transport logistics
- 3 days of boat diving (2–3 dives per day)
- 1 shore dive on Day 1
- Snacks & lunch onboard the boat
- Tanks & weights for all dives
- Three nights accommodations at the Sportsman’s Inn (Port McNeill)
- Dive guide for all dives
- Whale watching & sightseeing opportunities
What’s Not Included:
- Breakfast & dinner (local restaurants nearby)
- Nitrox fills — available at $15 per tank
- Rental gear — Reserve rental equipment here
Diving in a Drysuit?
A Drysuit Specialty certification is required for anyone diving in a drysuit. Don’t have it yet? Take the course before the trip: → PADI Drysuit Specialty
Requirements to Join:
- Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent)
- Minimum 20 cold-water dives
- One cold-water dive completed in the last 6 months
- Good comfort with boat diving and moderate currents
- Minimum age 12 (with guardian consent)
- Freedivers are not permitted due to unpredictable currents
Trip Flow & Meeting Time:
- Friday – 7:00 AM: Meet at Diving Sports Canada (4578 Main St, Vancouver), load van, depart for Horseshoe Bay
- 9:40 AM: Ferry to Nanaimo
- Late Morning: Shore dive in Parksville
- Evening: Arrive at Port McNeill accommodations
- Saturday: 2–3 boat dives + whale watching + Telegraph Cove visit
- Sunday: 2–3 boat dives in Port Hardy & Browning Pass (hot lunch included)
- Monday: 2 morning dives in Port Hardy → return to Nanaimo → 5:55 PM ferry → shop ETA approx. 8:30 PM
Protecting Our Wildlife:
All divers must follow our strict no-touch policy to protect fragile marine ecosystems. Divers not respecting these rules may be asked to sit out dives.
Cancellation Policy:
Please review our cancellation policy before booking: → View cancellation policy
Port Hardy & Port McNeil Weekend Dive Trip
Why Join Diving Sports for the Port Hardy & Port McNeil Weekend Trip?
Experience some of the best cold-water diving in the world with our guided weekend getaway to Port Hardy and Port McNeil. These sites are famous for dramatic walls, giant pacific octopus, wolf eels, vibrant anemones, massive schools of rockfish, and untouched marine ecosystems.
Our trips are designed for divers who want a fully organized, stress-free diving adventure. We handle logistics, timing, conditions, and site selection—so you focus on diving.
- Expert local dive guides with extensive Port Hardy/Port McNeil experience
- Carefully planned multi-day itinerary
- Access to world-class signature dive sites
- Ideal for certified divers seeking remote, cold-water adventure
- Perfect balance of structure, safety, and fun
Our Commitment to Safety and Enjoyment
- All trips led by certified and highly experienced cold-water guides
- Emergency oxygen and first aid kits on every trip
- Dive plans adjusted based on weather, tides, and group comfort
- Respect for marine life and environmentally responsible diving practices
- Clear briefings, site overviews, and dive expectations for every site
Packing List
Along with your regular items for a multi-day trip, here is the gear you will need for this dive adventure:
- Basic Scuba Kit: Regulator, BCD, exposure suit, gloves, boots, hood, fins, mask
- Dive Computer (required for each diver)
- Dive Light (recommended)
- DSMB (required for each diver)
- Dive Camera — pics or it didn’t happen!
Port Hardy Best BC Scuba Diving
Location and Contact
Diving Sports Canada
4578 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5V 3R5
Phone: (604) 694-1886
Email: customerservice@divingsports.com
