Descending: The Emerald Sea

Published on Wednesday, September 4th, 2013, under Media

Scott Wilson brings the Descending team to Canada for some cold-water diving off Vancouver Island.

(click on the above image to watch video link)

 Kiwi adventurer Ellis Emmett and Canadian Scott Wilson have been where no men have been before. An 18 month trip took them to some of the world’s remotest dive locations – many of which have only recently been discovered.

Ellis and Scott chronicle these travels as co-hosts of a show, Descending on the Travel Channel. We’ll catch up with them each week about the destinations they’ve been to.

Scott Wilson chats to us about cold-water diving off Vancouver Island.

1. What was your favourite dive site from this episode?

Hard to choose, but I’d say my favourite dive spot from Episode 4 was The Browning Wall off of Port Hardy, British Columbia. A spectacular show of nature’s best.

So many nutrients of the North Pacific Ocean are funnelled through a narrow passive, force-feeding the eco-system there resulting in an underwater cliff to be absolutely covered in life and colour.

From heavily armoured, tank-like Puget Sound King Crab, to rainbows of rock fish, lingcod, and even possible 6-gill sharks. It’s an underwater rainforest… no doubt about it

2. How easy is it to get there?

After a flight into Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, it’s about a 6 hour drive north on Vancouver Island to Port Hardy where we met up with John DeBoek who owns a floating cabin a few hours north by boat. Hey, nobody said the good stuff was easy to get to !  

3. What diving risks were you concerned about in this location?

The diving risks here include:

It’s remote – distance to medical/chamber if needed.

It’s cold – exposure, possible regulator or equipment freeze.

The depth – it is a wall dive, so keep the trim and weighting right… otherwise it’s a long way down! 🙂

4. What’s one thing every traveller should try here?

A quick dip off the docks at Hideaway cabins into the water. Or better yet, a log-rolling competition with a friend.

When you hit the water in a bathing suit, you will really understand how cold that water is!

5. What should you avoid in this destination?

A wimpy attitude towards temperature and weather. This is the North Pacific coast… the water is cold, the air is cold, the weather can be very rainy and fickle…. don’t let that spoil a dive or a trip. You will be rewarded for your bravery.

6. Did anything go wrong on the dive?

Ellis was seduced by a six foot octopus who didn’t want to let him go.

7. What’s the coolest thing you saw?

Ellis being swallowed up by a six foot octopus!  🙂

8. Do you have anything else to add?

It was very important for us in Descending to not only dive the amazing sites around the world in far-off places, but for Ellis and I to dive our homelands and show off just what jewels we have in our own backyards.

Ellis was very successful in showing me the wonders underwater in New Zealand, and I wanted to return the favour by showing him some of Canada’s best. You don’t have to jet set to the other side of the world to have an adventure.

Watch Descending, Wednesdays, 8.30pm on the Travel Channel.