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 Picton DDS Wreck Diving Adventures 2019
Dive Picton DDS Wreck Diving Adventures 2019 brings you some of our most beloved and enjoyed dive trips ever, as we embark on a magical weekend diving the best shipwrecks in the greater Picton, Point Traverse, Kingston area.
Nothing brings a dive group together quite as much world class diving and adventure, so we will be offering 2 nights of shared lodging in a back country lodge (similar lay out to our Tobermory Dive Extravaganza), with a great selection of wreck diving and fun!
Trip will include 2 days of morning 2 tank boat dives on some of the best wrecks in the area. Depths range from 80-105′.
PADI Advanced Open Water Certification dives are available on this trip as well for those wishing to complete deep, wreck and boat Adventure dives.
Picton offers some of the most beautiful diving of anywhere in the country. Pristine shipwrecks in crystal clear Lake Ontario water with many artifacts ideal for a photo opportunity, some light penetration and much more.
We will have kitchen facilities, great dining and attractions nearby. We are looking at the possibility of a meal plan, but at this time it’s undecided.
Minimum level of certification would be a diver enrolled in their PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course. More advanced, deep or technical divers are free to join in on the diving and complete a reasonable dive profile within their training and limitations as well.
Cost is estimated at only $375+HST. Trip price includes lodging and boat charters.
Not included is rentals, gas fills, food, gratuities and Waupoos Marina parking $10/day.
TRIP IS SOLD OUT. Please contact us if you would like to be added to the waitlist.
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
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
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
