Dive Newfoundland Bell Island Shipwrecks, Humpback Whales, Bell Island Mine and more!
Join us as we dive Newfoundland and the majestic Bell Island Shipwrecks, historic Bell Island Mine, Snorkel with migrant Humpback Whales and tour this beautiful area and as many of the beautiful topside attractions and Eastern Canadian landscape we can find as you travel in style with Dan’s Dive Shop and our friends at Ocean Quest.
Newfoundland is home to some impressive WWII shipwrecks that were sank by German U-Boat’s. These time capsules feature some beautiful and colourful soft corals, while many of the original artifacts still are found throughout the wrecks for all to see while simultaneously boasting a lot of great history. Take advantage while you’re there and lets get you up close and personal with Humpback Whales, Dolphins and more!
DDS was so impressed with Newfoundland that we have booked it again! Join us for a phenomenal week of diving with our friends at Ocean Quest Adventures as we dive some of the world’s best preserved wrecks. With five* days of diving, you’ll discover the secrets of all four of the famous Bell Island shipwrecks. Intact and upright on the bottom, over 400 ft long, and in virtually the same conditions as the day they were sunk by German U-boats in 1942, these wrecks are sure to have you coming back again.
Along with exploring the shipwrecks, this tour features seven nights’ accommodations, five days of diving (two dives a day), and includes tanks (2 x 80 cuft alum), air, on-boat lunches on dive days, and complimentary airport shuttle service. However, nitrox and equipment rentals are extra.
*There is a 5th day of humpback whale activities and hiking available instead of diving. Upgrades available.
We may even have the option of exploring the Bell Island Mine again this year! Must be fully certified NAUI Cave 2 Level Divers. Check out the photos in the gallery from this epic dive trip!
We can honestly say this experience has been one of the best diving trips of our lives. There’s a reason we keep going back and it’s partly because Rick and his staff continue to out do what they’ve done each previous year. When you dive Newfoundland you realize that this place is special and the diving is some of the best in the world. It’s worth every penny of the cost and then some.
Opportunities to dive Empress of Ireland on the way home are available this year as well for those driving through Quebec on the way home.
2019 Rates
Recreational package: includes 2 Single AL80s, weights, air. $2299+NL tax
Nitrox Package $2499 Steel or Aluminum tanks and Nitrox.
Tech package: includes doubles or rebreather facilities, stage bottle, nitrox. $2699+NL tax.
Mine Quest Package: Includes doubles or rebreather supplies, stage bottle, nitrox, plus 3 dives in the Bell Island Mine and a night on the island $2899+NL Tax.
Ocean Quest is fully equipped with steel doubles, rebreather supplies, nitrox, oxygen and more. Fly in or drive in, you won’t be disappointed.
Prices do not include flight, meals, spa facilities.
To book your trip please contact our travel partner:
Fawn Messer, Travel Consultant
info@dansdiveshop.ca
phone: 905-328-7851, fax: 905-984-2167
Flight Centre Associates
Head Office: 1 Dundas St W, Suite 200, Rm M, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3
1-416-368-4221 TICO#50016384
Lake Erie Advanced Deep Diving Weekend
Join us for a Lake Erie Technical Dive Weekend aboard the dive vessel Southwind in Westfield, NY as we spent an afternoon diving the George Whalen (150′) and the John J. Boland (140′) Saturday and a morning dive charter out to the schooner Oxford(160′) and hogging arch steamer Acme (130′).
Sites Subject to Change.
Wreck Info:
The Whelan now lies 3/4 over on her port side in 150′ of water off Barcelona, NY. This is a true virgin site, she hasn’t been stripped of anything. Whatever was on the ship when she went down is still there. There are lanterns, life rings, port holes, anchor, life boat, railings, stairways, doors and hatches. There’s a huge propeller and rudder. There are also many opportunities for penetration, for those trained in this type of diving.
The Boland is quite a sight. She’s lying on her starboard side in 130 feet of water, rising 40 feet of the bottom. When descending, the first thing divers see is her massive 4 blade propeller and equally impressive rudder. Moving forward, there are ladders, deck gear, railings, portholes and a winch. Both the aft cabin and the pilot house are partially intact. With proper training, some penetration is possible.
The Oxford lies upright in a maximum depth of 160 feet of water. Notable features of this mid-1800’s wreck include her tiller, bilge pump, winch, windlass, both anchors and reasonably intact masts. Port and starboard railings are also intact. Visibility on this wreck is often more than 50′ but bottom temps seldom exceed 42 degrees.
Originally called the Crow’s Nest” due to the crosstree on her foremast, or as “the tiller wreck” due to her perfectly preserved tiller. It took a few years for this 2 masted brig’s true identity to be discovered to be the Oxford. Built in 1842 at Three Mile Bay, NY, the 114′ Oxford was owned and operated by Hoag Strong and Company.
The Acme was Built in 1856 by George Hardison of Buffalo, Ny for the Western Transportation Company. The Acme was a steam powered hogging arched package freighter, 190′ in length. Loaded with beef, flour and cow hides, she was bound for Buffalo from Chicago on November 4th, 1867, when she encountered a fierce gale. The ship began taking on water, and the order was given to lower the lifeboats. All hands survived.
Today, the Acme lies upright in about 130′ of water. Her hogging arches are reached at about 117′. The cabin was blown off during the sinking, exposing the boiler and steam engine.
Cost includes 2 2 tank charters for only $225USD per person. Lodging is nearby at the Thruway Motel and several other hotels.
Dive Penetanguishene Shipwrecks in Georgian Bay
Dive Penetanguishene Shipwrecks in Georgian Bay with Dan’s Dive Shop. An ideal trip for Junior Open Water to Open Water divers and beyond.
Join us August 23-25, 2019 for some stellar recreational dives in clear, blue Georgian Bay waters. Gain experience diving fabulous shipwrecks that are nice and warm and shallow in the crystal clear Georgian Bay waters.
Weekend includes 2 days of boat diving Sunday/Monday and 2 nights shared accommodation in a beautiful lodge. .
Join us for fun and adventure as we show you around some beautiful sites ideal for a new diver. You’ll be in the water as part of the dive team with a certified DDS Instructor.
Trip is open to DDS certified Open Water divers only.
Trip Price is $350 + HST. Includes 2 days of boat diving and 2 nights accommodations.
Not Included: Rentals, air fills, food & gratuities.
Space is extremely limited so sign up today!
DDS TRIP POLICY To reserve your spot all guests are required to fill out a DDS Reservation & Liability Form and pay a $100 non-refundable deposit. Final payment is due 60 days prior to trip departure.
DDS TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY ALL TRIP PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. If the trip goes full, or you are able to fill your spot, you will be reimbursed for everything except your non-refundable trip deposit of $100. To protect yourself against pre-trip cancellation or travel emergencies, we highly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance. Travel Insurance is available online from our travel partner Fly and Sea Dive Adventures.
Looking to book your next travel adventure? Contact our DDS Flight Centre Associate today!
Fawn Messer, Travel Consultant
info@dansdiveshop.ca
phone: 905-984-2160, fax: 905-984-2167
Flight Centre Associates
Head Office: 1 Dundas St W, Suite 200, Rm M, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3
1-416-368-4221 TICO#50016384
Tobermory Dive Extravaganza with Dan’s Dive Shop
Join us in Canada’s Dive Capital for one of our most popular dive trips, the Tobermory Dive Extravaganza! Nestled in the Northern Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory is known as one of the most beautiful places in the world- above and below the water.
Explore Fathom 5 Marine Park and the many beautiful shipwrecks, rich walls and drop-offs that only Tobermory’s crystal clear deep blue waters can offer. Dan’s Dive Shop hosts dives for the Advanced Open Water Diver to Technical, Trimix or Rebreather diver on each of these trips.
Popular sites include but are not limited to: Arabia, Forest City, Dufferin Wall, Niagara 2, Grotto, James C. King, Philo Scoville, Wetmore, Bad Neighbour Rock, Flower Pot Island Wall and many more.
Included: 2 nights accommodations, 2 days of boat diving to some of Tobermory’s best known sites and some maybe not so well known, as well as a meal plan with continental breakfasts, bagged lunches and a bbq dinner (usually steaks the size of your head) Saturday night.
Not included: Gear, gas fills & gratuities.
Students can complete their PADI Advanced Open Water Course, Dive Specialty Courses or request a course and we’ll see if we can fit a specialty class of your choosing in.
Join Us:
July 12-14, 2019 at Trails End Lodge SOLD OUT. Take your PADI Advanced Open Water.
Sept 20-22, 2019 at Trails End Lodge Already Selling Out, Book Soon.
Boat dives begin Saturday morning. DDS divers will be there and diving from shore on the Friday so contact us if you would like to join the fun.
Cost is only $375+HST.
DDS TRIP POLICY To reserve your spot all guests are required to fill out a DDS Reservation & Liability Form and pay a $100 non-refundable deposit. Final payment is due 60 days prior to trip departure.
DDS TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY ALL TRIP PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. If the trip goes full, or you are able to fill your spot, you will be reimbursed for everything except your non-refundable trip deposit of $100. To protect yourself against pre-trip cancellation or travel emergencies, we highly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance. Travel Insurance is available online from our travel partner Fly and Sea Dive Adventures.
Looking to book your next travel adventure? Contact our DDS Flight Centre Associate today!
Fawn Messer, Travel Consultant
info@dansdiveshop.ca
phone: 905-984-2160, fax: 905-984-2167
Flight Centre Associates
Head Office: 1 Dundas St W, Suite 200, Rm M, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3
1-416-368-4221 TICO#50016384
Great White Shark Diving with Nautilus Belle Amie
Join DDS as we host one of our favourite dive trips…Great White Shark Diving with Nautilus Belle Amie.
Have you ever seen a shark in the wild? Have you ever wanted to see them up close and personal? Great White sharks are one of the most fascinating fish in the sea and hands down the most misunderstood. See them in their natural habitat as they swim, breech and feast on tuna and maybe even an elephant seal or two.
Diving with sharks is something many people dream about and in 2011 our dream came true the first time as we hosted 2 amazing trips to Guadalupe. History repeated itself again in 2013 and 2015 and now in 2019 we hope to return to one of our favourite and most spiritual places.
Great white shark encounters at Guadalupe Island are nothing short of spectacular. Guadalupe feels like a remote outpost at the end of the earth but is actually incredibly easy to get to. Our trips meet in San Diego, California with coach transfers to Ensenada, Mexico. It’s the best destination in the world for calm, clear water and a consistently high probability of multiple shark encounters per day in a pair of 30′ submersible underwater cages which allows us to capture breathtaking photos and videos from a different vantage point than just diving from a surface cage.
The sheer number of animals in the bay we dive is jaw-dropping and utterly amazing. We see great whites nearly every series of dives. The bay itself is home to 228 recognized individuals ranging from 12 to over 20 feet long! At times, we have seen as many as nine sharks on one dive—and that’s because Guadalupe is just the sort of place where magic regularly happens in the water.
This once in a lifetime trip offers the largest concentration of Great White Sharks in one place anywhere in the world.
Even the island itself, 180 miles from the Mexico coastline, seems magical. The coast of Guadalupe is 25 miles of rocky cliffs, but above this is dense forest, giving it the feel of an exotic, South Pacific destination. You can expect between 100 and 150 feet of visibility. We can literally see the sharks come in from beyond the anchor line. Nothing but clear, cobalt blue water.
Moreover, this experience isn’t limited to advanced divers. You don’t need to be a certified scuba diver to join us, although we recommend you take a Discover Scuba Diving course prior to your trip, and possess a strong in-water comfort.
All certified divers will have the opportunity for a minimum of three dives per day in the submersible cages—and your trip includes the opportunity for unlimited time in the surface cages. Divemasters are in the water during every submersible-cage dive to ensure your safety. Note that the surface cages open at 6:30 a.m., and diving in the submersible cages begins at 8 a.m. Both are available until dusk.
Our conservation efforts also continue at night when we kick back in the salon and identify who we spent the day with. And should you realize that you hung out with a great white shark not yet catalogued, yes, the naming rights are all yours.
Tick this amazing trip off your diving bucket list and sign up now.
We are now taking reservations for October 27 – November 1, 2019. A deposit of 25% of the trip price is required to hold your spot and is due immediately.
Triple State Room $2795* US
Double State Room $3095*US
Superior Suite $3595* US (Sold Out)
*All prices subject to 5% Mexican VAT
$65US Port Fee to be paid on board.
3% credit card processing fee.
Flight to San Diego not included. All meals aboard included.
If you would like to sign up please return our Trip Reservation Form and deposit. Deposits are $950 CAN for the Triple Room, $1055 CAN for the Double Room and $1225 for the Superior Suite.Please note there is limited spots available in the Triple State Room.
Payment schedule is as follows:
- 25% due November 2017
- 20% due May 2018
- 20% due November 2018
- 20% due May 2019
- 15% Balance due 90 days prior to departure
Deposit are refundable (minus $100US) up until 18 months prior to the trips departure. Cancellation policy if less than 18 months before departure is as follows:
- 18 – 9 months prior to departure, 10% of the trip price is forfeit
- 9 – 6 months prior to departure, 20% of the trip price is forfeit
- 6 – 2 months prior to departure, 40% of the trip price is forfeit
- 60 days or less prior to departure, 100% of the trip price is forfeit
Not included: Flight, Gratuity
Financing is available for this trip.
A 20% non refundable deposit is due upon signup.
SIGN UP NOW! You may even have good fortune if you see a great white shark pooping…..
To book your accommodations please contact our travel partner:
Fawn Messer, Travel Consultant
info@dansdiveshop.ca
phone: 905-328-7851, fax: 905-984-2167
Flight Centre Associates
Head Office: 1 Dundas St W, Suite 200, Rm M, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3
1-416-368-4221 TICO#50016384
Bahamas Liveaboard Dive Trip with DDS and Blackbeards Cruises
Join us for a fun and exciting Bahamas Liveaboard Dive Trip with DDS and Blackbeards Cruises. Dive the Exumas, Andros and many other spots as we sail around the beautiful Bahamas. Dive some of the best and most remote dive sites around aboard Blackbeards Cruises.
We’ll be shark diving, wall diving, drift diving, night diving and maybe even diving the blue hole!
This is an experience you don’t want to miss as DDS staff and instructors will be on hand to help you achieve some new specialities, improve your confidence and help you complete more advanced training if you haven’t completed anything above open water certification.
Trip cost is only $995us +$125us Port Tax. Includes up to 19 dives, meals, alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. Sign up today and we’ll even include a series of memories that you will never forget at no extra cost!
Gratuities and Airfare are NOT included.
Sign up today for the most fun you’ll have on the open sea! Reefs, Fishing, wildlife and DDS Divers! It doesn’t get any better than this.
November 16 – 22, 2019 Does not include airfare, please feel free to ask us for an airfare quote.
To book please contact our travel partner:
Kristen Mandziuk-Hardy, Travel Consultant
kristen.hardy@fcatravel.ca
phone: 905-328-7851, fax: 905-984-2167
http://www.flightcentreassociates.com/KristenHardy
Flight Centre Associates
Head Office: 1 Dundas St W, Suite 200, Rm M, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3
1-416-368-4221 TICO#50016384
Florida Springs Trip 2020
Florida Springs Trip 2020 Week 1 is an intensive training week offering expert level training in DPV, Intro to Tech and Cavern Training with Cave & Technical Diving Instructor/Explorer Matt Mandziuk. If you want to be the best diver possible, this trip is life changing and will improve every aspect of your diving.
Don’t miss out on our SIGNATURE TRAINING TRIP in Florida’s beautiful aquifer in the heart of cave country. Spend an exciting week with us earning your Intro to Tech and Cavern certifications. It’s an intense but incredibly rewarding week filled with lots of diving in some of the most spectacular and unique dive spots in the world.
Read testimonials from past graduates in our Testimonials page and see just how monumental this trip is!
Participate in our NAUI Intro to Tech Class and see that this course is not just for tech divers – it is a foundational skills refinement course that will dial up your control, problem solving and finesse as you dive in any situation. Our Cavern course will build on your Intro to tech skills dovetailing seamlessly into one another, while exposing you to a magic that few divers experience – the cavern zone of beautiful caves.
And if you’re looking for greater challenges, CHECK OUT OUR CAVE 1 AND CAVE 2 courses the following weeks. Call or email the shop for more details and make training with us in Florida next February the best decision of your diving adventures!
Lodging and food is only $550 US (based on a group of 6) Course package is only $650 for Intro to Tech and Cavern Diver Combination Courses. Sign up today for the most progressive, high skills training experience of your dive career and challenge yourself today.
For more course information check out our Cave & Technical diving courses section.
To book your accommodations please contact our travel partner:
Fawn Messer, Travel Consultant
info@dansdiveshop.ca
phone: 905-328-7851, fax: 905-984-2167
Flight Centre Associates
Head Office: 1 Dundas St W, Suite 200, Rm M, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3
1-416-368-4221 TICO#50016384
Dive Bikini Atoll with DDS in 2020!
Have you ever wanted to dive the best shipwrecks in the world? Dive Bikini Atoll with DDS in 2020 and you’ll see some of them! 2 years from the posting of this event 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 the chance to book it for 2019, we jumped at a chance to do 2020 and you should too!
The trip will run from May 2 – 13, 2020.
Cost is only $7245US. A $500US deposit is required to hold your spot.
Payment schedule:
November 2017 $600US
May 2018 $600US
November 2018 $1500US
April 2019 $1500US
November 2019 $1500US
Final Balance $1545US due date TBD
Please Note a 3% credit card fee will be charged on any credit card transaction.
There is a $500US port tax due day of departure cash.
Fills, rentals, sorb are not included in cost of the trip.
Book Early and Book Now for this amazing trip! If you’ve missed the first deposit you can add it to the next deposit and get on schedule with payment.
Some divers have expressed interest in a stop over in Truk Lagoon. We are able to make arrangements for this opportunity happily as we are very excited to dive Truk Lagoon again as well and revisit the remnants of Operation Halestone and the Japanese fleet.
We highly recommend Divers Alert Network Travel Insurance and Trip Cancellation Insurance as all spaces are non-refundable.
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:
- USS Saratoga (CV-3) – aircraft carrier
- USS Arkansas (BB-33) – battleship
- USS Gilliam (APA-57) – attack transport
- USS Carlisle (APA-69) – attack transport
- USS Lamson (DD-367) – destroyer
- USS Anderson (DD-411) – destroyer
- USS Apogon (SS-308) – submarine
- USS Pilotfish (SS-386) – submarine
- Japanese battleship Nagato – battleship
- Japanese cruiser Sakawa – light cruiser
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.
Exclusivity guaranteed when you Dive Bikini Atoll the charter is cut to a maximum of 11 guests over 10 or 11 nights per cruise. The Truk Master will offer on those itineraries a choice of 6 a/c en-suite single, double or twin bed cabins on the lower deck and main deck. The yacht has a dedicated camera set-up and charging station with plenty of additional storage for all your extra lenses, strobes and batteries.
Communal relaxation areas are split between the middle and upper decks comprising of a spacious indoor dining area, lounge bar with comfortable bench seating and plasma screen, shaded outdoor seating area and a sun deck.
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:
- Deco bar for stage/deco stops under M/V Truk Master
- 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.
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
