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Dive the Red Sea Shipwrecks in Egypt with DDS and All Star Red Sea

Dive the Red Sea Shipwrecks in Egypt with Dan’s Dive Shop!

Only 1 spot left!

Join us for an amazing scuba diving trip aboard the luxury yacht All Star Red Sea from December 4 -11, 2023 for a week of fabulous wreck and reef diving.

The dive itinerary is the Wrecks of the North Red Sea + Brothers Islands. During your trip you will get to dive all the best wrecks of the North Red Sea including the famous SS Thistlegorm, The Dunraven and Rosalie Moellers plus dive the beautiful Brothers Islands Marine Park. The Brothers are two volcanic islands known for amazing reef and marine life where there is a good chance you will be able to spot an Oceanic White Tip or Thresher Shark! This is a Recreational & Technical friendly trip.

Make the most of your trip to Egypt with options available to add a tour to visit the pyramids, cruise the Nile or relax at a Red Sea beach resort! Our DDS Travel Advisor will assist you with both flights and/or tours for a memorable trip of a lifetime.

Trip Price (USD)

$1,880 US per person Suite Cabin including the Local Fees.

Trip Price Includes

Full board on All Star Red Sea in double occupancy private en-suite cabin

3 dives per day plus night dives

Dive guides, tanks, and weights/belts

Round-trip ground transfers from/to airport/hotel and vessel

All meals, snacks, coffee, tea, juices, sodas

Local Fees

Does not include: Airfare, Nitrox ($100USD), Scuba Gear, Gratuities, Land Accommodation & Alcohol. Byob or purchase on board. Diver Insurance is required for this trip.

All Star Red Sea – First Class Yacht

One of the newest built dive liveaboards on the Red Sea, the All Star Red Sea is first class vessel. Beautifully laid out across five spacious decks with even a swimming pool onboard! You can expect world cuisine dining from an on-board chef and the trip includes all meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

Onboard you will find the lower deck houses a spacious restaurant. The main level features the dive deck with camera tables and open area showers. The upper deck is home to a swimming pool and sundeck with comfortable chaise lounge chairs, shaded pool bar, a TV room with entertainment options. One level up find another shimmering sundeck with sun and shaded seating and views of the Red Sea and an air-conditioned salon for group gatherings. The top sun deck  has a jacuzzi tub, lounge chairs and the flybridge.

Suite Cabins are spread across the yacht sleeping up to 28 divers. Each cabin features a private bathroom, ample storage space and adjustable air conditioning. Each cabin has two twin beds which can be adjusted for couples or single travellers.

See full deck plans here.

Experienced Crew

All Star Red Sea is managed by two people with years of experience in the Red Sea. Ahmed Fadel is a tech instructor, that has worked in different areas of diving over the last 20 years. Dr. Elke Bojanowski aka The Shark Lady’ is a biologist specializing on the study of Red Sea shark populations, and the founder of the Red Sea Sharks Trust. She oversees the vessel’s citizen scientist program which focuses on shark research and conservation.

Diving the Red Sea

The Red Sea has some of the best diving in the world, known for amazing colourful coral and marine life. Our trip is a mix of wreck and reef diving. You will get to dive WWII shipwrecks and dive volcanic pinnacles packed with reef and fish. The rich and colourful, soft and hard corals brim with sea creatures. Possibility of seeing sharks, manta rays, dolphins, rare nudibranchs and long-nosed hawkfish, among others.

Take a virtual tour of on of the most famous wrecks on the Red Sea, the SS Thistlegorm.

Onboard All Star Red Sea has a spacious dive deck, camera table and hard bottom tenders with individual tank racks. Nitrox 32 as well as custom mixes available. Full recreational equipment is available for rental.

Technical rental equipment available includes: 16 CF  side-mounted pony tank, Manifold twinsets, 100 CF, 80 CF, 50 CF stages with rigging, Rebreather cylinder sets  & Stage regulators.

All Star Red Sea is Recreational and Technical friendly. This trip is suitable for all divers with a minimum Advanced Diver certification and a minimum 30 logged dives. If you are OW or have less than 30 dives and would like to join the trip please contact Dan’s Dive Shop to get you in the water and ready for the trip.

Hurghada

Hurghada is an Egyptian resort town along 40km of beach considered one of the safest areas in Egypt. There is lots to see and do with fantastic hotels at reasonable prices. Arrive early, beat the jet lag and spend a couple nights relaxing on the beach and experiencing Egypt before your trip departure.

Airfare

It is advised to arrive in Hurghada by December 3rd for your trip. Return flights to Canada can be booked to depart on Monday Dec 11 after 10am. Flights be arranged by our Travel Advisor. Current pricing is approx $1400 Toronto to Hurgarda round trip or $1100 for Toronto to Cairo round trip. Egypt Air offers direct flights from Toronto to Cairo.

Land Tours, Optional Add-On

Full Egypt Adventure Tour

Explore Amazing Egypt with Intrepid Tours. This private full Egypt Tour is door to door. Intrepid’s tour includes all transportation and accommodation from your arrival at Cairo airport until you reach your hotel in Hurghada. Intrepid’s standard Egypt Adventure Tour has been upgraded to include airport pick, an extra hotel night in Cairo upon arrival and then transfers to Hurghada at the end of the tour.

The tour includes all accommodation except the night before the boat departs in Hurghada, most entrances to attractions and some meals. It’s balanced between lots of sightseeing but enough down time to explore at your own or add on more attractions. The best part is this tour is led by an Egyptologist and Intrepid’s tour style focuses on providing an authentic experience.

2-day Trip to Luxor from Hurghada  

If doing the full tour isn’t possible for you but you would still like to make the most of your trip to Egypt, join this 2-day/ 1-night to private tour to Luxor departing from Hurghada. Tour Highlights include Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon and a boat trip on the Nile River. This private tour includes transfer from Hurghada, one night at a 5-star hotel in Luxor and all entrance fees.

Undoubtably this will be a trip you will never forget!

Trip Itinerary: Wrecks of North Red Sea & Brothers Islands

Departure: December 4, 2023 at 5pm in Hurghada, Egypt

Disembark: December 11, 2023 at 10am Hurghada, Egypt

Price: $1880 US Suite Cabin

Additional Details Single supplement or non diver is full rate. This trip is suitable for singe divers or couples of all ages. This trip is not suitable for snorkelers. All cabins are double occupancy.

Trip Payments Deposit due at booking $730 US. Final payment due September 1, 2023.

Cancellation Policy Cancel by May 20, 2023 for a full refund minus a $75 administrative fee. All payments after May 20, 2023 are non refundable. Trip payments are transferrable at any time to a new booking. If you need to cancel your spot we will do our best to fill it.

COVID Cancellations If borders are closed at the time of travel, then a rebooking will be allowed. If a guest tests positive prior to arrival and is not permitted to travel, a rebook will be allowed. A positive test result within 5 days of trip date must be provided. Rebooked trips will be reinvoiced and any difference in fare and fees will be assessed.

Protect Yourself and your Travel Investment

We sell dive accident and dive-travel insurance protection from Dive Assure. Get a quote instantly. Prices are in USD

For More Information about the trip you can also visit All Star Livaboards FAQ

Questions or ready to book? Visit the shop or email fawn.messer@fcitravel.ca

Travel Arrangements by

Fawn Messer, Flight Centre Independent Travel Consultant

329 Welland Ave, St Catharines ON

Phone: 905-984-2160 or 1-800-268-DANS

Email: fawn.messer@fcitravel.ca

CPBC #2790 | TICO#50016384 | OPC#702971

Dive Bikini Atoll May 2023

Dive Bikini Atoll 2023 with DDS!  Have you ever wanted to dive the best shipwrecks in the world?  Join us for one of the most anticipated scuba diving trips and Dive Bikini Atoll with DDS in May 2023 and you’ll see some of them!

A few years ago we embarked on a magical trip to Truk Lagoon and had the dream trip, only to ask ourselves how could we top Truk?  Well we instantly thought Bikini Atoll, so after missing out on trips lately thanks to Covid, this Trip will be even more amazing. Join us in 2023. Very Limited Space Available.

About Bikini Atoll

Bikini Atoll is located in the Marshall Islands in Micronesia.  This area is home to some of the biggest and best shipwrecks you’ll ever see.  Pristine ships that were retired from war service and were sunk during atomic bomb testing in 1946 as part of  Operation Crossroads where they were evaluating the effectiveness of these weapons against battle ships.

Below is a list of ships courtesy of Wikipedia:

Bikini Atoll shipwreck
Bikini Atoll Shipwreck

After the Second World War, the USA collected a ‘mock’ naval fleet for the purpose of testing the impact of different atomic bombs on a large fleet. These nuclear bomb tests were performed in several remote locations in the South Pacific Ocean, known as the Pacific Proving Grounds. Bikini Atoll was appointed one of the designated testing areas within the Marshall Islands. Between 1946 and 1958, not less than 23 atomic bombs were tested at Bikini Atoll, which resulted in a unique selection of shipwrecks from the US, Germany and Japan consisting of war battleships, cruisers, and an aircraft carrier.

More than 60 years later, the shipwrecks remain equally as impressive while they have become home to many kinds of corals and fish species. As a result, Bikini Atoll has become the ultimate wreck diving for the true fans! This exclusive and unparalleled diving destination is undisputedly ranked first on any serious wreck & technical divers’ bucket list. This is well justified; nowhere else on earth you will be able to dive into such a unique collection of historic battleships, cruisers, as well as the world famous USS Saratoga aircraft carrier with its 270m (888ft.) flight deck. For this reason, Bikini Atoll was declared the first UNESCO World Heritage site for the Marshall Islands archipelago in 2010.

About the Trip:

Exclusivity guaranteed when you Dive Bikini Atoll the charter is cut to a maximum of 16 guests over 10 or 11 nights per cruise. The Pacific Master

This custom-designed liveaboard was built with divers in mind to bring you the very best diving holiday experience possible. Previously, sailing the stunning dive sites of the Solomon Islands as M/V Taka, this steel-hulled vessel boasts an experienced boat crew, dive team and chefs to ensure the highest standards of service.

The ship features 12 cabins allowing comfortable accommodations, at a reduced capacity to cover the additional equipment required for this type of expedition based trip.

Tech divers will find on board all the latest technical diving facilities and equipment to explore these ultimate wrecks at leisure when you dive Bikini Atoll with DDS.

The rates are: $4795USD for the upper deck cabins, $3605USD for the lower deck cabins and $4200USD for the lower deck single cabins. Plus the additional port/park fee of $500USD.

  • Deco bar for stage/deco stops
  • Booster pump for gas blending & rebreather tank fills
  • Manifold twin-tanks (DIN & Intl. available)
  • MKVI filters (upon request)
  • Sofnolime for rebreathers – Dependent on Use
  • Rebreather tanks
  • 12l Deco stage tanks (band, sling & clips) – 40cuft/80cuft stage/bailout cylinders
  • Oxygen
  • Helium

Most wrecks in Bikini Atoll are located beyond recreational diving maximum depths; therefore technical diving skills and wreck experience are required, which is perfect, as DDS offers the most progressive, modern, comprehensive and challenging technical diving courses in the business.

True Master dive deck

For questions and booking, please contact our travel partner:

Fly and Sea Dive Adventures
8528 123 St.
Surrey, BC
1-888-995-3483, diving@flyandsea.com

DDS Divers Swimming Over the Reef in Roatan

Challenges Will Reward Your Longterm Scuba Diving Goals

Challenges Will Reward Your Longterm Scuba Diving Goals
by
Matthew Mandziuk 

In life nothing good comes easy without a fight or working to earn it, unless you win the lottery.  The same can be true moving through a more Progressive Scuba Diving training philosophy where the divers are taught a higher level of knowledge, skills and techniques. Your Personal Challenges Will Reward Your Longterm Scuba Diving Goals.

At DDS we pride ourselves on staying ahead of market trends and instead we lead the charge forward towards better diving.  For nearly 20 years we’ve taught our open water divers about the benefits of learning and buying the right gear and the right skills and techniques after over 20 years of doing it the old school way.

We pride ourselves on teaching divers a different (better) way to do things at the open water level where they can move forward with better skills, finesse and discipline allowing them to struggle less, maintain the visibility of even the siltiest environments or most fragile coral reefs, while continuing forward progressing successfully into deeper, more advanced courses, environments and experiences with more comfort and efficiency as they challenge themselves with training that is more exciting, more disciplined, more regimented and more rewarding than some of the “more traditional”  courses which have become stale or outdated as we power ahead into a new age of diving.

As human beings we can always learn more and the same is true in scuba diving, except most dive training has become outdated and boring.  All divers should be more aware of their dive profiles, gas requirements with proper gas reserves built in, no stop time limits and what is happening within their bodies as they spend more time underwater and as they ascend or descend.

Many of these common concepts are lost on the masses because theory is passed over quickly as we tend to suffer from a condition that demands “instant gratification” and dive shops that depend more so now on eLearning doing the work of the instructor for the shops and instructors, so the personal element of sharing stories and experiences with the students is lessened (or in some cases completely lost as there is no classroom sessions), so the students don’t create an emotional bond with their instructors, classmates or Divemasters.

Bad Diver Lots of Silt
A poorly trained diver in silts out the bottom as they have no buoyancy, trim, awareness or cares in the world. Don’t Be Like This Diver.

Train Hard

If divers took more time to learn about dive planning, gas calculations, gas consumption, decompression theory and dive sciences, they would be much more ready to take diving to the next level.  This knowledge can help us not just in diving, but also in every day life.

Divers who are taught to manage stresses underwater are more able to handle the every day curveballs life throws at you on a daily basis, as well as how to focus better on challenging tasks, yet the number of divers who progress through Advanced and Rescue diver courses drops as students seem less engaged in some graphic regions than before.

Where a diver can go training wise and the training opportunities available to them make or break the likelyhood of creating a “Lifetime Diver”.  If a diver only dives once a year or 3, they’re better off just doing Discover Scuba Diving Experiences.

A certified diver who goes from Advanced, Nitrox, Drysuit  to Rescue is doing things better, but the key is to find a trainer who can teach you what you need to really know.  If as a diver they tell you it’s okay to be standing, kneeling on the bottom, to rely on holding onto an ascent line and be vertical on an ascent or safety stop as you take up 6-7′ minimum of line with your fins dangling down kicking the divers below you, that’s okay to overweight yourself so you sink or that violating thirds (your gas rule you should be ascending at), that it’s okay to flutter kick and silt out the bottom, wear flimsy floaty plastic fins, split or hinge fins and have stuff dangling off you like a Christmas Tree, it’s time to find a new instructor.

A diver who progresses towards more foundational skills classes like our NAUI Intro to Tech program will have the chance to perfect themselves better than any recreational diver, regardless of if they ever become a tech diver or not, as Foundational Skills Development courses like “Intro” offer the most through and engaging training possible with a combination of dry land drills, confined water drills and open water dives.

Divers who learn the foundational skills to make themselves a better diver and put the time in to become proficient in all aspects of their diving often become a much safer, more aware diver with superior team diving skills, refined buoyancy, flawless horizontal trim, proper ascents and descents, better fin techniques (utilizing a modified frog as their primary kick, modified flutter, ability to turn 360 degrees and do a reverse frog kick to go backwards) rather than flutter kicks, and exceptional problem solving skills.  You even master surface marker deployment, rescue techniques, valve or regulator failures and more.

Your biggest assets in diving are TIME IN THE WATER and BUOYANCY, BUOYANCY, BUOYANCY.

DON’T try and fast track your way through training.  Learn the foundational skills, start diving in the proper gear, train and dive with divers who are better than you are.

NAUI offers the highest standards of any training agency in foundational, technical, cave and overhead training, which is the reason they’re our primary agency for those courses, but we offer training from several other agencies too.

A Properly Trained Diver with Good TrimA properly trained DDS Diver working on trim and buoyancy during a NAUI Cavern/NAUI Intro to Tech Foundational Skills course.

Fitness in Diving

Some new divers complain that lead weights and tanks are heavy, while more Technically Advanced Divers dive with Sidemount or back-mounted double tanks.

Diving with a drysuit creates more buoyancy, drag and resistance while swimming through the water, so there is an element of fitness required to dive.  Carrying tanks to the water, stage bottles, rebreathers, camera systems, scooters, all these things have weight to them.  It’s part of diving, so get fit and get ready to handle the gear you’ll be using.

To get more comfortable handling these items a strength building program to strengthen arms, legs and abs are very beneficial.  30 push-up’s a day, 100 ab crunches and a light jog even 1-2km a couple of days a week will help make a difference in your strength and overall well being, while also improving cardiovascular health.

Swimming will help give the body a resistance free total body workout too and if you can’t take the impact from running or rowing, may be a better option for you and its fun!

Some dive courses require a specific distance to be swam before a specific time, don’t lose out on some great diving because you can’t make the cut.  It IS worth it and it WILL take time.

How Did We Get Here?  It Wasn’t Over Night

Dan’s has become the go to shop for recreational, advanced, technical diving education over the last 20+ years. DDS was established in 1974.  We are Canada’s Oldest PADI Dive Shop and 2nd oldest worldwide currently.

With the help of a Canadian Diving Pioneer John Reekie (passed away several years ago) we helped introduce the Canadian Diving Market to Technical Diving and Cave Diving gear and procedures as early as 1986!  We were one of the first North American Dive Stores to offer Nitrox as an alternative breathing gas in 1992 when the traditional agencies were Anti-Nitrox and causing riots at dive shows because they honestly believed Nitrox to be Voodoo Satan Gas!  True Story!

By the mid 1990’s we were offering old-school technical diving and rebreather courses.  By 2000 we were introduced to more progressive diving and upgraded our training, which allowed us to see a different side of diving, one that was less limiting and more progressive.

DDS Divers enjoy a cleaner, more streamlined gear body, gear configuration and ability to share air more effectively than traditional short hose divers

We began offering Progressive Doing it Right based (DIR Diving) training and equipment, including the offering of backplates to new open water sport divers a part of basic training and introducing recreational divers to the long hose/short hose regulator configuration or the Hogarthian method of diving.

In 2007 we began offering more modern and progressive Sidemount training.  We are happy to be offering training on several different rebreather configurations, especially the modular and most versatile machine on the market, White Arrow Explorer Rebreather System, capable of any configuration.

Every recreational diver can benefit from our experience, the new skills that we offer and every day diving techniques that we introduce from basic open water programs. Horizontal Trim, Buoyancy, Team Awareness, S-Drills, Bubble Checks, SMB Deployments, Air Sharing horizontally in neutral buoyancy with a long hose regulator, Team Diving Protocols and more.

backwards frog kick intro to tech
Learning your foundational kicks without fins or gear on is the first step to perfecting your forward, turn and backwards kicks during an Intro to Tech Course

While not every diver is introduced to this from every instructor around the world, we also offer Foundational training to start experienced divers off right as well, as many of the concepts we teach aren’t taught elsewhere unless the divers have been taught by a certified cave or technical instructor. At the end of the day we want everyone to learn to be better and dive with more confidence, comfort and awareness, so we offer workshops like NTEC which is a great way to prime yourself to learn the foundational skills you should know in a class and pool setting showing you a better way to do things in the right gear.  This also prepares you for a glimpse into your diving future should you want to progress towards Wreck Diving, Cavern or Cave, Ice, Technical and more.

Our experience in expeditions and exploration projects have also helped shape our divers into the best divers in the water.

Get More Technically Correct

When a diver starts to get more “technical” it helps them become a more complete diver.  It doesn’t mean they have to aspire to achieve a new super deep world record sort of depth where they hang for hours on decompression stops, however, it does break through the misconceptions, boundaries of conventional training and opens you up to a lifetime sport with the ability to go anywhere with your diving.

We believe Technical Diving is simply extending your range both with respect to knowledge, but also extending the scope of your abilities beyond what is known and offering new challenges along the way.

Our NAUI Intro to Tech Course has been called the “Best Dive Course” by nearly everyone who’s taken this amazing foundational skills class.  Regardless of whether a student completes the course successfully the first time or not, “Intro” is where better diving begins.

Our Intro course begins with the tightening up of the divers buoyancy and trim, cleaning up and streamlining the entire equipment configuration, introducing new surface protocols and pre-dive regiments like safety drills, SADD checks, Bubble Checks and Heat to Toe checks which improve safety and awareness.

Intro also begins to stress the team concept of diving, which is something talked about but rarely enforced in traditional recreational diving.  We introduce the benefit to 3 person buddy teams, which are often taboo in traditional training as well, as we believe a second set of hands to help and eyes to see are very important should a diver require assistance.

NAUI Intro to Tech Students Air Share
NAUI Intro to Tech Students working on trim and buoyancy while sharing air during their confined water session.

After classroom sessions are complete students are introduced to a combination of dry land surface drills that allow the instructor to demonstrate skills such as trim, fin kicks, flat horizontal body posture, air shares, valve shutdowns, diver rescues, lift bag deployments and many other skills topside as they can talk about each skill attribute and show it off before the students are expected to demonstrate it both on the surface and then the skills are executed by instructors and students under the water in a shallow pool or confined water area suitable for this sort of training.  Upon successful completion of the pool sessions candidates are then taken to open water and will complete all skills in a shallow open water environment where No Stop Times are not an issue.

During Intro to Tech a staff member will video record the students skills throughout the program so they can break down their progress frame by frame and discuss thoroughly throughout the course dives in debriefing sessions.

Students love the fact that this style of training is done intensively as repetition helps them improve and learn at a quicker rate, especially upon review of each dive during de-briefing when we break down all of the skills done that day with video review.

Through clear and concise de-briefings the students know exactly what it is they need to work on and how to improve as we take corrective action with them and continue to show them how to properly execute each skill breaking down the skills as clear and concise as possible.

Just the Beginning

Many divers love the challenge that Intro brings and those divers who work hard and succeed will enrol in their next challenge.

Divers will be using more equipment which creates a need for better fitness, stiffer fins, stronger dive abilities and confidence.

Imagine being perfectly neutrally buoyant without a bottom below you as you stare below into the abyss without any fear or concerns

Intro to Tech is a stepping stone to bring divers more safely into the realm of deeper diving or overhead environments as the foundational skills and trim learned here ensure that those divers are going to be able to perform the rudimentary skills like horizontal buoyancy, frog kick, modified frog kick and to be able to fin backwards for 10′ without hitting the bottom or silting out the dive site because Zero Impact Diving is such am important skill to possess as it saves the reef, fragile clay patterns, maintains the water clarity (especially in a wreck or cave where a diver will have to navigate safely back out of a zero visibility environment) and makes the diving more pleasurable for all.  The other important skill is something we teach at Open Water and again at Advanced Open Water and Intro to Tech, which is being able to deploy and send an SMB up to the surface ascending on a reel stopping every 10′ and then ascending to 15′, 12′, 9′, 6′, 3, surface many of those divers will engage in their next adventure.

Intro to Tech is simply the holy grail of recreational diving because you see what is lacking when you compare it to someone who’s been coaxed into taking a different more traditional Master Scuba Diver sort of approach.  Rather than being taught to dive properly, most divers are taught to pay for an instructors time, a paper manual and a plastic certification card.  While there are some phenomenal recreational specialty courses (Nitrox, Equipment Specialist, DPV, Cavern, Drysuit) most dive stores don’t have the talent or the ability to teach some of these more useful classes and favour a quick payout instead of committing their divers to more in-depth training.

The most popular courses Intro graduates challenge themselves next with range from Wreck Penetration to a Cavern/Cave 1 class, DPV class, Technical Decompression with Helitrox (Tech 1) Advanced Nitrox/Decompression Procedures.

Growing Your Experience

Regardless of the certification level a diver achieves it requires regular diving to maintain that level of proficiency and regular dives to that highest level of certification.  We usually recommend 20-25 dives annually at that level before moving to the next level.

At DDS, We are NOT a certification factory that tries to push our divers from Intro to Tech to Trimix Rebreather in a month.  It’s not about numbers, its about the quality of the diver and those divers that are making poor choices have no real world underwater dive skills and often lose buoyancy, panic or are a complete embarrassment to the sport.

DDS Divers are some of the highest trained divers in the country and they show a lot more finesse and discipline than most.  Those divers who choose to work hard and grow their diving abilities are often asked to join in on bigger, better dives, as well as for support projects both local and abroad.

Expedition projects are conducted yearly and it’s always great when new members can be integrated into the Divers Edge family, which is our training and exploration group.  We have partners worldwide through several organizations that we do international projects with for caves and shipwrecks.

Get Involved

Regardless of your goals the key in anything is to keep involved and dive with divers who share the same views and the same goals in training and equipment.

We have taught and continue to teach divers from around the world and are more than willing to put on a presentation for groups, clubs, other shops as we’ve been doing for decades.

If you’d like to get involved and benefit from better training, equipment configuration and future diving opportunities, reach out and let’s get you involved with DDS Today.

We have trips, charters, training year round. Your first step is to reach out and make contact, the rest comes easily from there.

scuba dive in georgian bay

Dive Penetanguishene Shipwrecks in Southern Georgian Bay

Sign Up Now

Call (905) 984-2160

Email info@dansdiveshop.ca

Dive Penetanguishene Shipwrecks in Southern Georgian Bay, August 2024

Dive Penetanguishene Shipwrecks in Southern Georgian Bay with DDS. Join us August 9-11, 2024 for some stellar recreational dives in clear, blue Georgian Bay waters.

This is an ideal trip for Open Water divers, experienced divers new to Canadian diving or any diver that loves shipwrecks! Gain experience diving fabulous shipwrecks that are nice and warm and shallow in the crystal clear Georgian Bay waters. Depths range for 30-60ft.

Come for a fun adventure and scuba dive in Georgian Bay. Let us show you around some beautiful dive sites ideal for both new divers and experienced. Sign up today for an awesome weekend of Canadian diving!

Weekend Trip includes 2 days of boat diving (3 dive Saturday, 2 dives Sunday), 2 nights shared accommodation, breakfasts and lunches.

Add your PADI Open Water Diver Certification. We will have a DDS Instructor on the trip teaching the open water dives portion of the course.

If you are a DDS Student and you completed you pool and classrom training with us this winter/spring come joing us and learn to scuba dive in Georgian Bay. Don’t delay, there is limited availability! Contact us today to find out more.

Diving

Join us aboard the comforatble and spacious Georgian Explorer. Dive sites include but are not limited to: Maple Dawn, Lottie Wolf, Thomas Cranage, The Michigan, and The Marquette. 

Boat diving begins Saturday morning with 2-3 dives planned for Saturday and 2 dives planned for Sunday.

Diver Level is minimum Open Water certification to join.

Details

Accommodation: Two nights shared accommodation is at a local hotel. Two queen beds per room.

Meals:  Includes breakfast at the hotel and lunch on the boat. Dinners not included.

Cost: $495 + HST

Not Included: scuba gear, tanks, air fills, & gratuities.

Terms and Conditions

Diver Responsibility: All Divers are responsible for insuring they have the appropriate scuba gear for cold water diving, redundancy and exposure protection. No scuba gear, tanks or weights are included. If rentals are needed the diver is responsible to pick them up in store during retail hours. DDS Charters are not guided, private Divemaster can be arranged for an additional fee. All divers are expected to only attend dives within their diver certification level and experience. Lastly, unsafe divers putting themselves and others at risk may be asked to leave.

Cancellation Policy: All payments are non refundable. If the trip/charter goes full or you are able to fill your spot you will be credited for everything accept a $100 cancellation fee. If the charter is cancelled by the boat operator due to weather or unforeseen events a refund or credit will be issued.

Photos by Fawn Messer

Scuba Diving Georgian Bay Mapledawn Shipwreck in Penetanguishene

lake-erie-technical-dive

Dive Lake Erie Shipwrecks

Dive Lake Erie Shipwrecks in 2023

Lake Erie is home to some of the best shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes. This year we are running two awesome weekends of full Lake Erie diving in May and September. New this year is an Open Water friendly charter on the Sunday Mornings, all sites max depth 60 feet.

Join us the May Victoria Day weekend with two days of Lake Erie diving. Two tank charters available on Saturday May 20 and Sunday May 21 with both morning and afternoon departure times at 9:00am & 2:00pm.

Join us again in the fall for another two days of epic Lake Erie diving on Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17 with both morning and afternoon departure times at 9:00am & 2:00pm..

NEW THIS YEAR – Sunday AM Charters for Open Water Divers – all sites will be shallower than 60 feet!

Wrecks include the Carligford/ Stone Wreck, Benson/ Raleigh and the Finnie/ Niagara.

Charter Details

Diver Level Minimum Advanced Open Water certified with cold water dive experience. Max depth 110ft. Sunday morning charters, minimun Open Water Certified, max depth 60 feet. Drysuit or good quality 7mm wetsuit recommended with hood and gloves. DDS Charters are Tech and Rec friendly.

Run Time The boat comfortably holds 8 divers and can accommodate double and single tanks. The boat has dry storage, shade, and a marine head onboard. Run Time has large ladder rungs for ease of climbing back on after the dive. During the surface interval cookies and water are provided.

Departure The boat departs from Sugarloaf Marina, Port Colborne at the Public Boat Launch. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time to load your gear. Departure times are 9:00am & 2:00pm sharp.

Cost $110 + HST for a two dive charter. Not Included: tanks, scuba gear & gratuity.

Lake Ontario Scuba Diving

How To Sign Up for a Lake Erie Dive Charter

1. Phone, email or visit the shop to book.

2. Make full payment to confirm your spot.

3. Fill out the online Diver Registration Form.

Terms and Conditions

Diver Responsibility All Divers are responsible for insuring they have the appropriate scuba gear for cold water diving, redundancy and exposure protection. No scuba gear, tanks or weights are included. If rentals are needed the diver is responsible to pick them up in store during retail hours. DDS Charters are not guided, private Divemaster can be arranged for an additional fee. All divers are expected to only attend dives within their diver certification level and experience. Lastly, unsafe divers putting themselves and others at risk may be asked to leave.

Cancellation Policy All dive charters are non-refundable. Please let us know if you are unable to go. If we are able to fill your spot you will receive a store credit for your charter fee. If the dive charter is cancelled by Dan’s Dive Shop or the boat operator due to unforeseeable circumstances a credit or full refund will be provided.

lake-erie-technical-dive

Dive Lake Erie Shipwrecks

Dive Lake Erie Shipwrecks in 2023

Lake Erie is home to some of the best shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes. This year we are running two awesome weekends of full Lake Erie diving in May and September. New this year is an Open Water friendly charter on the Sunday Mornings, all sites max depth 60 feet.

Join us the May Victoria Day weekend with two days of Lake Erie diving. Two tank charters available on Saturday May 20 and Sunday May 21 with both morning and afternoon departure times at 9:00am & 2:00pm.

Join us again in the fall for another two days of epic Lake Erie diving on Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17 with both morning and afternoon departure times at 9:00am & 2:00pm..

NEW THIS YEAR – Sunday AM Charters for Open Water Divers – all sites will be shallower than 60 feet!

Wrecks include the Carligford/ Stone Wreck, Benson/ Raleigh and the Finnie/ Niagara.

Charter Details

Diver Level Minimum Advanced Open Water certified with cold water dive experience. Max depth 110ft. Sunday morning charters, minimun Open Water Certified, max depth 60 feet. Drysuit or good quality 7mm wetsuit recommended with hood and gloves. DDS Charters are Tech and Rec friendly.

Run Time The boat comfortably holds 8 divers and can accommodate double and single tanks. The boat has dry storage, shade, and a marine head onboard. Run Time has large ladder rungs for ease of climbing back on after the dive. During the surface interval cookies and water are provided.

Departure The boat departs from Sugarloaf Marina, Port Colborne at the Public Boat Launch. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time to load your gear. Departure times are 9:00am & 2:00pm sharp.

Cost $110 + HST for a two dive charter. Not Included: tanks, scuba gear & gratuity.

Lake Ontario Scuba Diving

How To Sign Up for a Lake Erie Dive Charter

1. Phone, email or visit the shop to book.

2. Make full payment to confirm your spot.

3. Fill out the online Diver Registration Form.

Terms and Conditions

Diver Responsibility All Divers are responsible for insuring they have the appropriate scuba gear for cold water diving, redundancy and exposure protection. No scuba gear, tanks or weights are included. If rentals are needed the diver is responsible to pick them up in store during retail hours. DDS Charters are not guided, private Divemaster can be arranged for an additional fee. All divers are expected to only attend dives within their diver certification level and experience. Lastly, unsafe divers putting themselves and others at risk may be asked to leave.

Cancellation Policy All dive charters are non-refundable. Please let us know if you are unable to go. If we are able to fill your spot you will receive a store credit for your charter fee. If the dive charter is cancelled by Dan’s Dive Shop or the boat operator due to unforeseeable circumstances a credit or full refund will be provided.

lake-erie-technical-dive

Dive Lake Erie Shipwrecks

Dive Lake Erie Shipwrecks in 2023

Lake Erie is home to some of the best shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes. This year we are running two awesome weekends of full Lake Erie diving in May and September. New this year is an Open Water friendly charter on the Sunday Mornings, all sites max depth 60 feet.

Join us the May Victoria Day weekend with two days of Lake Erie diving. Two tank charters available on Saturday May 20 and Sunday May 21 with both morning and afternoon departure times at 9:00am & 2:00pm.

Join us again in the fall for another two days of epic Lake Erie diving on Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17 with both morning and afternoon departure times at 9:00am & 2:00pm..

NEW THIS YEAR – Sunday AM Charters for Open Water Divers – all sites will be shallower than 60 feet!

Wrecks include the Carligford/ Stone Wreck, Benson/ Raleigh and the Finnie/ Niagara.

Charter Details

Diver Level Minimum Advanced Open Water certified with cold water dive experience. Max depth 110ft. Sunday morning charters, minimun Open Water Certified, max depth 60 feet. Drysuit or good quality 7mm wetsuit recommended with hood and gloves. DDS Charters are Tech and Rec friendly.

Run Time The boat comfortably holds 8 divers and can accommodate double and single tanks. The boat has dry storage, shade, and a marine head onboard. Run Time has large ladder rungs for ease of climbing back on after the dive. During the surface interval cookies and water are provided.

Departure The boat departs from Sugarloaf Marina, Port Colborne at the Public Boat Launch. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time to load your gear. Departure times are 9:00am & 2:00pm sharp.

Cost $110 + HST for a two dive charter. Not Included: tanks, scuba gear & gratuity.

Lake Ontario Scuba Diving

How To Sign Up for a Lake Erie Dive Charter

1. Phone, email or visit the shop to book.

2. Make full payment to confirm your spot.

3. Fill out the online Diver Registration Form.

Terms and Conditions

Diver Responsibility All Divers are responsible for insuring they have the appropriate scuba gear for cold water diving, redundancy and exposure protection. No scuba gear, tanks or weights are included. If rentals are needed the diver is responsible to pick them up in store during retail hours. DDS Charters are not guided, private Divemaster can be arranged for an additional fee. All divers are expected to only attend dives within their diver certification level and experience. Lastly, unsafe divers putting themselves and others at risk may be asked to leave.

Cancellation Policy All dive charters are non-refundable. Please let us know if you are unable to go. If we are able to fill your spot you will receive a store credit for your charter fee. If the dive charter is cancelled by Dan’s Dive Shop or the boat operator due to unforeseeable circumstances a credit or full refund will be provided.

lake-erie-technical-dive

Dive Lake Erie Shipwrecks

Dive Lake Erie Shipwrecks in 2023

Lake Erie is home to some of the best shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes. This year we are running two awesome weekends of full Lake Erie diving in May and September. New this year is an Open Water friendly charter on the Sunday Mornings, all sites max depth 60 feet.

Join us the May Victoria Day weekend with two days of Lake Erie diving. Two tank charters available on Saturday May 20 and Sunday May 21 with both morning and afternoon departure times at 9:00am & 2:00pm.

Join us again in the fall for another two days of epic Lake Erie diving on Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17 with both morning and afternoon departure times at 9:00am & 2:00pm..

NEW THIS YEAR – Sunday AM Charters for Open Water Divers – all sites will be shallower than 60 feet!

Wrecks include the Carligford/ Stone Wreck, Benson/ Raleigh and the Finnie/ Niagara.

Charter Details

Diver Level Minimum Advanced Open Water certified with cold water dive experience. Max depth 110ft. Sunday morning charters, minimun Open Water Certified, max depth 60 feet. Drysuit or good quality 7mm wetsuit recommended with hood and gloves. DDS Charters are Tech and Rec friendly.

Run Time The boat comfortably holds 8 divers and can accommodate double and single tanks. The boat has dry storage, shade, and a marine head onboard. Run Time has large ladder rungs for ease of climbing back on after the dive. During the surface interval cookies and water are provided.

Departure The boat departs from Sugarloaf Marina, Port Colborne at the Public Boat Launch. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time to load your gear. Departure times are 9:00am & 2:00pm sharp.

Cost $110 + HST for a two dive charter. Not Included: tanks, scuba gear & gratuity.

Lake Ontario Scuba Diving

How To Sign Up for a Lake Erie Dive Charter

1. Phone, email or visit the shop to book.

2. Make full payment to confirm your spot.

3. Fill out the online Diver Registration Form.

Terms and Conditions

Diver Responsibility All Divers are responsible for insuring they have the appropriate scuba gear for cold water diving, redundancy and exposure protection. No scuba gear, tanks or weights are included. If rentals are needed the diver is responsible to pick them up in store during retail hours. DDS Charters are not guided, private Divemaster can be arranged for an additional fee. All divers are expected to only attend dives within their diver certification level and experience. Lastly, unsafe divers putting themselves and others at risk may be asked to leave.

Cancellation Policy All dive charters are non-refundable. Please let us know if you are unable to go. If we are able to fill your spot you will receive a store credit for your charter fee. If the dive charter is cancelled by Dan’s Dive Shop or the boat operator due to unforeseeable circumstances a credit or full refund will be provided.

Scuba Dive Lake Ontario

Tiller Wreck Lake Ontario Dive Charter

Dive the Tiller Wreck, Lake Ontario 2023

Join us on beautiful Lake Ontario and dive our local Tiller Wreck, a stunning, fragile wooden schooner 100′ long by 25′ wide. The ship is in great shape and even features 2 beautiful masts, a gorgeous rudder, cargo holds, a picturesque bow, windlass, anchor and stove.

The Tiller Wreck is an unknown 2 masted wooden schooner sitting on a 45 degree angle on the starboard side 6 km’s off Port Dalhousie in 113ffw.  The wreck was named by Len Rooney on our 1st trip out because it used a tiller which moved the rudder back and forth instead of a stearing wheel.

This wreck is perfect for Advanced Level Divers and is an Ideal Nitrox Dive for more bottom time. Visibility is usually 60 feet or better with average temperature of 40 degrees at depth. A Drysuit is Highly recommended to make this a more enjoyable dive.

2023 Charter Dates & Times

Saturday June 3rd – 9:00am & 2:00pm

Wednesday July 12th – 1:00pm & 5:00pm

Wednesday August 9th – 1:00pm & 5:00pm

Monday October 9th – 9:00am & 2:00pm

Charter Details

Diver Level Minimum Advanced Open Water certified with cold water dive experience. Max depth 113ft. Lake Ontario remains cold at depth even in the summer. Drysuit or good quality 7mm wetsuit recommended with hood and gloves. DDS Charters are Tech and Rec friendly.

Run Time The boat comfortably holds 8 divers and can accommodate double and single tanks. The boat has dry storage, shade, and a marine head onboard. Run Time has large ladder rungs for ease of climbing back on after the dive. During the surface interval cookies and water are provided.

Departure The boat departs from the Fish & Game Club, 61 Lighthouse Road, Port Dalhousie. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to dive charter’s departure time to load your gear. Departure times are sharp.

Cost $110 + HST for a two dive charter. Not Included: tanks, scuba gear & gratuity.

Lake Ontario Scuba Diving

How To Sign Up for the Tiller Wreck, Lake Ontario Dive Charter

1. Phone, email or visit the shop to book.

2. Make full payment to confirm your spot.

3. Fill out the online Diver Registration Form.

Terms and Conditions

Diver Responsibility All Divers are responsible for insuring they have the appropriate scuba gear for cold water diving, redundancy and exposure protection. No scuba gear, tanks or weights are included. If rentals are needed the diver is responsible to pick them up in store during retail hours. DDS Charters are not guided, private Divemaster can be arranged for an additional fee. All divers are expected to only attend dives within their diver certification level and experience. Lastly, unsafe divers putting themselves and others at risk may be asked to leave.

Cancellation Policy All dive charters are non-refundable. Please let us know if you are unable to go. If we are able to fill your spot you will receive a store credit for your charter fee. If the dive charter is cancelled by Dan’s Dive Shop or the boat operator due to unforeseeable circumstances a credit or full refund will be provided.

Scuba Dive Lake Ontario

Tiller Wreck Lake Ontario Dive Charter

Dive the Tiller Wreck, Lake Ontario 2023

Join us on beautiful Lake Ontario and dive our local Tiller Wreck, a stunning, fragile wooden schooner 100′ long by 25′ wide. The ship is in great shape and even features 2 beautiful masts, a gorgeous rudder, cargo holds, a picturesque bow, windlass, anchor and stove.

The Tiller Wreck is an unknown 2 masted wooden schooner sitting on a 45 degree angle on the starboard side 6 km’s off Port Dalhousie in 113ffw.  The wreck was named by Len Rooney on our 1st trip out because it used a tiller which moved the rudder back and forth instead of a stearing wheel.

This wreck is perfect for Advanced Level Divers and is an Ideal Nitrox Dive for more bottom time. Visibility is usually 60 feet or better with average temperature of 40 degrees at depth. A Drysuit is Highly recommended to make this a more enjoyable dive.

2023 Charter Dates & Times

Saturday June 3rd – 9:00am & 2:00pm

Wednesday July 12th – 1:00pm & 5:00pm

Wednesday August 9th – 1:00pm & 5:00pm

Monday October 9th – 9:00am & 2:00pm

Charter Details

Diver Level Minimum Advanced Open Water certified with cold water dive experience. Max depth 113ft. Lake Ontario remains cold at depth even in the summer. Drysuit or good quality 7mm wetsuit recommended with hood and gloves. DDS Charters are Tech and Rec friendly.

Run Time The boat comfortably holds 8 divers and can accommodate double and single tanks. The boat has dry storage, shade, and a marine head onboard. Run Time has large ladder rungs for ease of climbing back on after the dive. During the surface interval cookies and water are provided.

Departure The boat departs from the Fish & Game Club, 61 Lighthouse Road, Port Dalhousie. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to dive charter’s departure time to load your gear. Departure times are sharp.

Cost $110 + HST for a two dive charter. Not Included: tanks, scuba gear & gratuity.

Lake Ontario Scuba Diving

How To Sign Up for the Tiller Wreck, Lake Ontario Dive Charter

1. Phone, email or visit the shop to book.

2. Make full payment to confirm your spot.

3. Fill out the online Diver Registration Form.

Terms and Conditions

Diver Responsibility All Divers are responsible for insuring they have the appropriate scuba gear for cold water diving, redundancy and exposure protection. No scuba gear, tanks or weights are included. If rentals are needed the diver is responsible to pick them up in store during retail hours. DDS Charters are not guided, private Divemaster can be arranged for an additional fee. All divers are expected to only attend dives within their diver certification level and experience. Lastly, unsafe divers putting themselves and others at risk may be asked to leave.

Cancellation Policy All dive charters are non-refundable. Please let us know if you are unable to go. If we are able to fill your spot you will receive a store credit for your charter fee. If the dive charter is cancelled by Dan’s Dive Shop or the boat operator due to unforeseeable circumstances a credit or full refund will be provided.