Browning Wall Orange Peel Nudi

Nestled at the northeastern tip of Vancouver Island, amidst its rugged ocean wilderness, I embarked on one of my first Canada-COLDwater dive expeditions. Armed with nothing but my trusty wetsuit and a strong desire for exploration, I set forth into the frigid depths. Despite the arrival of my dry suit just moments before I departed, I opted to stick with the familiar and embraced the chill as my badge of honor.

Joined by my dive buddy Heidi, this trip marked the beginning of many adventures together. Yet, it's the humorous mishaps that etch this journey into memory. Picture this: just miles away from our destination, we found ourselves stranded with an empty gas tank. In the dead of night, with everything closed and no cell service to rely on, we improvised, spending the wee hours huddled for warmth at a deserted gas station. It was a lesson learned, and one we laughed about as we finally rolled into the hotel for a mere two hours of sleep and a much-needed shower.

But despite the rocky start, the diving experience was nothing short of spectacular. The diving was definitely beyond Salish Sea cold and the Hideaway rustic yet charmingly eclectic. Descending into the depths, Browning Wall unveiled its wonders before me – a kaleidoscope of colors and creatures, each more captivating than the last. Among them, this Orange Peel Nudibranch chowing on the soft corals, its size dwarfing my outstretched hand, adorned with delicate white frills that added a touch of elegance to its appearance.

Though my wetsuit left me shivering multiple times, the memories forged beneath the waves warmed my soul indefinitely. Emerging from the depths, a grin stretched across my face, I knew this was just the beginning of my icy Canadian adventures. And while subsequent trips were equally breathtaking, they were thankfully devoid of fuel-related misadventures.

As our group reminisced and laughed about our escapades, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Heidi's unwavering companionship. Despite our memorable start, she continued to join me on adventures, adding to the tales we'd recount for years to come.

This is available as a limited edition print in metal or acrylic ready to hang in your home or office.

God’s Pocket Marine Park

This undeveloped park is comprised of a group of islands at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Strait, including Hurst, Bell, Boyle, Crane Islands, and numerous smaller islets. The park provides some of the best underwater diving on the Pacific Coast. Most diving takes place in nearby Browning Pass, an area rated by the late underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau as one of the best cold water diving destinations in the world.