West Shore Getaway
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Rockfish Divers is now offering exclusive Getaways to experience the best of Victoria's diving.
Sample Itinerary:
Cost:
Our vessel holds 8 people, Pearson can only accommodate 4. You don't have to stay at Pearson College. Price is $75/dive if you have a place to stay. You can also check out Weirs Beach or Pedder Bay Marina if you are into camping near our departure marina. Not Provided
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The AccommodationsPearson College has a Guest house nestled among the Arbutus trees at their beautiful waterfront property. The House is a private building with one double bed and two single beds. There is a full kitchen, living area, deck and bathroom. The house is a short walk from the marina dock where our vessel is moored.
The WeatherRain & Wind
This is the west coast - rain is common in the winter months. Wind can be an issue. As the West Shore is the Southernmost point on Vancouver Island, wind can create issues. We will do our best to find great sights out of the wind. Rockfish has a second vessel in the Saanich Inlet - although the boat is an hour drive from Pearson College, it is very rare to not be able to dive anywhere. We have lots of options to ensure you can dive! Current The channel between northwest Washington and southern Vancouver Island creates a channel for strong currents. The diving is excellent as a result, but dive site selection and timing is critical. We choose our sites carefully, but we also equip divers with surface signal devices, air horns and handheld gps dive radios. The diving is best on the 'quarter moon'. If you are planning your trip, try to avoid full and new moons! TransportationFlying into Victoria: If you are flying into Victoria, you'll need to decide whether you want to rent a vehicle or not. These can be rented at the Victoria International Airport. If you don't want to rent, we can provide transportation to and from the airport. Victoria is a beautiful city, and there are many excellent sights that are within driving distance. See our section on What to do in the area before you choose to be without transportation.
We can provide you directions on where to go, when to go and what the best attractions are. Equipment
What is Pearson College?Pearson College UWC is located southwest of Victoria, B.C. and is Canada’s most international school and the country’s only United World College — a movement encompassing 17 global schools dedicated to uniting cultures and countries around the world through education. Pearson is a two-year, pre-university school for students from over 150 countries who live, study and learn together pursuing the International Baccalaureate and an outdoor-oriented experiential education. More than 4,000 students have graduated from the College — its alumni are determined to make a difference in the lives of others and the world.
The College was named in honour of the late Canadian Prime Minister and Canada’s only Nobel Peace Laureate (awarded in 1957), Lester B. Pearson. Prime Minister Pearson initiated the work to found a United World College “of the Pacific” as a way of extending the promotion of peace and understanding in the world. Pearson is one of 17 UWC schools and colleges worldwide. Pearson College UWC is located along the forested shores of the Pacific Ocean at sheltered Pedder Bay, on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. Our beautiful campus is 29 km southwest of Victoria, the provincial capital. We are proud to acknowledge that we live and learn on the unceded territory of the Scia’new (Beecher Bay) First Nation. When you stay at Pearson College, you supporting an organization that changes the world, one student at a time. |
The DivesRace Rocks is known for the countless sea lions, seals, octopus, wolf eels, Kelp forests, nudibranchs, and the amazing dive sites. Race is an ecological reserve, home to fantastic west coast scenery, often including whale and orca sightings.
Divers must have an advanced certification and recent cold water diving experience. The West Shore is a slightly less difficult dive destination. Some divers choose to do their advanced course on the west shore prior to diving at Race Rocks. Seals, sea lions, octopus and countless other critters flourish on the West Shore. Whale watching boats are some of the most frequently seen vessels in the area. Other stuff in VictoriaLocal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrV-rHl6TMg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M6RuSL2j3o Hatley Castle: 25 min drive Butchart Gardens: 45 min drive Sooke Potholes - 30 min drive French Beach: 45 min drive Inner Harbour: Victoria downtown markets, Royal BC Museum, Buskers and much more: 40 min drive Hiking at East Sooke - 20 min drive, we may visit by boat for a short hike. Mystic Beach - one hour drive, plus a hike Botanical Beach - 1 hour 45 min drive, plus a hike - go at low tide. AvailabilityPearson College is a College! Students come from all around the world to study, learn to scuba dive and live on campus from Sept. - April. The campus is home to 200 students during the school term. The Guest House is available year round, however some facilities may be in use during the school year (the pool may be booked for instance).
Victoria is breathtaking during the summer, so tourists go from all around the world to stay here. The summer books early, so check with us for availability. If you don't want to stay at the college - ask about camping at the Pedder Bay Marina or Weirs Beach. Please contact us to see about availability. We need to ensure we have a room available, the boat is not booked, instructors, boat drivers and dms also need to be available. Not only that, the best diving is when there is less current - timing is important. Can you stay longer?Some divers want to come earlier or stay after their diving is complete. The guest house may or may not be available, please let us know and we can try to accommodate you.
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