Location

God’s Pocket Resort is the only resident of beautiful Hurst Island, British Columbia, on the east (inside) of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Nestled in an enchanting cove off Christie Passage, 12 miles north of Port Hardy, we offer a tranquil setting in which to relax after a day of the best cold water scuba diving in the world.

Transportation

Use the map above to plan your journey to God’s Pocket Resort on Vancouver Island

If you are flying to Port Hardy, please scroll below to find useful links

NOTE: Whether you are coming from the Vancouver Airport, the U.S. Border, or Downtown Vancouver – you will need to take a ferry from either Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay 

Ferry reservations are highly recommended***

Vancouver Airport to GOD’S POCKET

Distance from Vancouver Airport to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal in 30 km. or 19 mi. with approximate driving time 28 minutes

BY CAR/FERRY

from Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo)

DRIVE to Port Hardy from Nanaimo: The town of Port Hardy is a 4-5 hour drive up the beautiful Island Highway from Nanaimo. Eagles, hawks and black bears are often sighted on the drive up.

BOAT To God’s Pocket Resort from Port Hardy ALL ABOARD THE HURST ISLE! We meet you at the Government wharf at the foot of Granville Street.

The 10 mile (16.1 km.) boat ride through the wilds of Queen Charlotte Strait – from Port Hardy to God's Pocket Resort on Hurst Island – is included in your diving package.

USEFUL LINKS:

FLYING TO PORT HARDY FROM VANCOUVER, BC

WHERE TO MEET

Timing: Pick up time 4PM on your first trip day and drop off time 9AM on the final day. The 4pm on day 1 is a ‘lines off’ time, so please arrive with enough time to load your gear onto the dive boat. Please let us know via e-mail if you think you’ll be late. The times are also weather dependent.

Location: Quarterdeck Marina (Fuel dock) at 6555 Hardy Bay Road, Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0

Parking: There is weekly pay parking on both sides of the Marina.

Diving

We plan 3 dives per day beginning the day following your arrival at God’s Pocket. The boat leaves the dock twice a day … one departure to include 2 dives, the other departure for one dive. Our resort is about 5 minutes from Browning Pass and the world famous Browning Wall. Other dive sites we frequent (weather and currents depending) include: Barry Islet, Fantasea Island, Nakwakto Rapids, Hunt Rock and various sites in Bates Pass, to name a few. We regularly scout new sites so our choice of dive spots is extensive, which means that no matter what the wind and tides are doing we always have a site that is suitable for the conditions.

 Dock dives are available after the boat dives are competed for the day. In front of the resort, the  water is usually 30-40 feet deep.

Shallow water is nice as your bottom time is limited more by cold tolerance than by nitrogen loading! Divers in the bay often report seeing Giant Nudibranchs, Puget Sound King Crabs, a variety of young rockfish, anemones, shrimp, and all sorts of other underwater life. Recently, several Giant Pacific Octopus have been making the bay their home and have been seen hunting among the pilings as we walk up the ramps from the boat.

PLEASE make sure your equipment is serviced and in good working condition. We have a limited “save the dive” kit and Port Hardy is an expensive boat ride away. IMPORTANT: We do require proof of certification (a “C” card) from all divers, or we can’t dive you. Those who are diving Nitrox, please remember your Nitrox Card.

FAQ

         1.   When is the best time to dive?

          Each season offers something different.

    Spring is a good time to witness everything being born. Lots of babies around!

    The small kelp beds are a nursery containing lots of young sealife. King crabs and octopus are seen

    in relatively shallow waters.

    The visibility is anywhere from 20-100 feet, depending on sunshine and air temperature.                       

    Summer offers light NW winds, some fog and more consistently clear water. Orcas and humpback           

    whales begin arriving in early March.

    Fall is similar to summer but with larger kelp beds.  After mid October the weather begins its

    south-east shift. This can bring in a little rougher water. The weather has to be real bad to not get into

    Browning Pass.                  

     2.    What can I expect to see?

In a nutshell, everything that the Pacific Northwest has to offer in great abundance!

3.    How much should I tip?

This is a common question and the most difficult to answer.  It is customary in this part of the world to leave a gratuity if your experience was enhanced due to the efforts of the Crew.

Tips are gracious accepted, however not expected.  Typically, people leave anywhere from 10% to 20% of their trip cost.

4.    Can I bring my Dog?

Dogs are welcome with open arms by all of the crew.  However, we ask that if you would like to bring your dog, please check in with us upon booking.  We would then canvass the group to make sure that there are no objections.

5.    Can I have my own room?

We are a very small operation and are limited in housing.  IF we have available space for someone to have their own room, there will be a 20% single supplement charge.  All our rates are based on double occupancy.  If the group is an odd number, then one person will, by default, end up with a room on their own.  There will be no supplement paid in this situation.

6.    Where do we meet?  What time?

We load the boat at 4pm on the “pick up” date of your trip.  The location will be at the Seagate Dock at the foot of Granville Street in Port Hardy.

7.  Is there a different rate for non divers?

Non divers are charged at the same rate as divers.

Additional Costs

Your “Package Price” includes:

• Transfers to and from God’s Pocket on the predetermined “Pickup and Drop off” dates and times.

• Accommodations

• 3 meals + snacks per diving day

• Dinner on pickup day

• Continental Breakfast on Drop off day

• Daily housekeeping

• 3 boat dives per day

• Night Dives off the dock every night other than the pickup day and the last diving day

• Air

• Tanks

• Lead

• Use of kayak

Your “Package Price” does not include:

• Nitrox- $.14 per cu/ft

• Gratuities

• Single room supplement - 20% of “Package Price”

• Telephone - $1 per minute for both incoming and outgoing calls

• Wifi – Limited to Text Only! Available one hour per day. No Facebook, video of any kind, uploading  downloading,  instagram, add $10 for your stay.

• Any gift Shop Items.

• Any lost lead, add $10 per pound.

• With appropriate notice, we have one 130 cu ft. tank for a rental fee of $20 per day plus taxes.

• Transfers to and from God's Pocket other than predetermined Pick up and Drop off days" $300 in "Hurst       Isle", $150 in "Bossy", $450 for Water Taxi.

What to bring

1.  Certification cards and log book.

2.  All personal dive gear.  We will supply steel 85 cubic foot cylinders and weights.  These tanks are low pressure steel tanks (2640 psi).  If you want a larger tank you are welcome to bring your own.  Please let us know ahead of time.  You are fine to bring your own belts and weights.

3.  Alcohol and snack food.  We supply juice, hot liquids as well as cookies/muffins for in between meals.  If you like sodas or nuts/chips/chocolate bars and such, you will need to bring them.

4.  Sunglasses and sun block, hiking boots, rain jacket and warm clothing.

5.  Head lamp or small flashlight for evening or early morning.

6.  We supply all towels and linens.  We also have soap in a pump dispenser.  If you prefer bar soap you will need to bring your own.

7.  Shampoo/conditioner.

8.  All toiletries.

9.  Camera.

10.  Spare dive gear.  We have a limited save-a-dive kit.  It's best for you to pack spare parts rather than counting on us to have these for you.  Things like neoprene glue, aqua seal.  If your suit has latex seals, extra seals is a good idea.