photo by Chris Sherwood

Yesterday we did a very special dive to the dive site affectionately named by Jan Breckman as “Sponge Bob”, and officially named the Halkett Pinnacle.

This dive was organized for a group of keen divers all wanting to see this amazing dive site some time ago. This pinnacle is very special, and possesses different species of sponges, the silicate cloud sponge being the most dominant. There are dozens of these sponges on the pinnacle, some growing to 6′ or more, and the bioherm as discovered by Glen Dennison and Paul Sim is simply astounding.

The weather was great!, sunny and warm with just a light breeze around mid day, so we arrived on the dive site on time and had a nice view of Gambier Island and the Lion’s Peaks on the other side.  While Jan and I got the big buoy ready with the high viz line especially purchased for this dive at the back of the boat and myself along with Barry went down to set the line on the small bare part of the pinnacle as not to cause any damage to the sponges. After the line was ready I sent up a marker lift bag as a signal to Kevin that the line is set and soon divers began arriving over the pinnacle. Everyone knew that this is a delicate site that has to be preserved so I was glad to see the first 2 divers (Stuart and Gabriel) come close to the line without even touching it and then perfectly leveling  off some 7′ above the reef  without touching anything or kicking up any silt.

photo by Chris Sherwood

The visibility was around 60′ at the pinnacle so most of the divers with cameras such as Diane and Chris and others were able to take some truly beautiful photographs of these stunning sponge formations. The most impressive was the sponge with the large tubules looking like huge gun muzzles on an old battle ships and the goblet shaped ones which were truly amazing. I was very glad that none of the divers kicked up any silt and that everyone had a great time there.

After our surface interval and having the snacks served on the boat we motored over the short distance to Halkett Wall. As the sea conditions were awesome we all went in as a group, but soon separated into our pre-assigned buddy teams.  I dove with Diane as she has a very keen eye for critters I usually fail to see and I was not disappointed. She was taking pictures of critters I had to use my magnifying glass to see….but I DID see the 8′ octopus too!
The critters found by the various dive teams were octopus, Puget Sound king crabs, decorated and tanner crabs, beautiful sculpins, some ling cod  and rockfish, various species of nudibranchs and some gorgeous painted and other anemonies. Visibility was around 80′.

We all had a great time on the boat and almost all of us went to the Olive and Anchor (formerly Ya Ya’s) for a snack and some drinks after we unloaded at the dock. There we were joined by more Peskie members who unfortunately could not take part in the dive yesterday (Rob and Cherrein) but will definitely join us on the next dive to Sponge Bob scheduled in June.

Anyone wishing to join please contact Jan or myself to reserve your spot.

- Mike Juren  mike@seadragoncharters.com

It’s always great when we have photographers on the boat.

Here are some shots Rob Roy took while diving with us in Howe Sound recently.

Thanks to Rob for sharing.  If you’ve got some photos you’d like us to post, just email us at info@seadragoncharters.com.

(click any picture for larger version – photos are copyright Rob Roy)

We received some lovely pictures from Diane Reid recently – click any of the thumbnails below to see bigger version.

We’ve been having great visibility lately, so why not make a date for some diving.

We’ve got a couple of divers in from the interior of BC looking to do some mid-week dives out of Nanaimo (this week – Jan 23-27). If you’re interested, call Jan right now ! !   604-329-3486

This weekend:

Howe Sound – room for divers on Saturday

Nanaimo – room for divers on Sunday.

Diane sent along a few more photos from her recent dive with us .  Great visibility and a great photographer works magic.  Thanks Diane.

Click any of the photos for a larger version.

We first told you about The Dragon’s Den at the beginning of June.  At that time, Jan wrote:

We found a GREAT new site we are planning to dive again on Sunday this weekend – we are calling it the “Dragon’s Den”.

Beautiful wall with nice cavernous overhang at 65’ full of life including plumous anenomes hanging upside down inside the cavern…

Last weekend diver Stuart T. got the picture featured here. And diver Robert Roy got some great pictures in the den, he’s posted them here on his Facebook page. (While you’re on Facebook, pay a visit to the Sea Dragon page.)

In all, four divers got pictures of our Dragon’s Den mascot last weekend, and in so doing, won themselves a Sea Dragon t-shirt.

Here’s an ode to the little critter courtesy Tony Hill:

Behold…A denizen of the deep…feared by all but the bravest of divers…mythical in status…yet so deeply misunderstood….
I feel a James Cameron movie plot comming on…

We have room for divers this weekend, July 2-3:

Howe Sound: room both days

Nanaimo: room on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday morning.

Call Jan to book at 604-329-3486.

More Dragon photos below – click on the image for a larger version.

These were taken in Howe Sound at Hutt Wall and Reefmaster.

Thanks Chris !

Click any of the pictures for a larger one

Last week Wes, Howie, Doug & Greg cut the very first diver access hole in the Annapolis!

Pics below courtesy Deirdre at the ARSBC.  Just click any of them for a larger version.

Jan did while on a trip to Mexico in June, and here’s the proof.

Jan meets a whale shark, up close and  personal like.

Click any of the picture below to see large versions.

Says the brave Ms. Breckman:

Although this is not BC diving, I was in Mexico the second week of June and had the once in a lifetime experience of snorkelling with the whale sharks. What an incredible rush to drop down gently into the water with them, look through your mask underwater at these magnificent creatures, and just gasp in utter amazement!!