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       Practical stuff .... Rendezvous Dive Adventures

Vancouver island (general)

Location Barkley Sound

Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound

Barkley Sound (detail)

Vancouver Island Road map

Directions to pick up point

Travel links

BC Ferry website

Greyhound website

Lady Rose Marine

The Rendezvous is located in Rainy bay at the mouth of the Alberni Inlet. No roads run through this area but this allows you to enjoy a truly unique, natural spot to its fullest. There are different ways to get to us and although we are fairly remote, we are still really easy to find. 

Over Land

Although there is no direct route overland to us, once you are on Vancouver Island, you can take a car or bus to Port Alberni, the closest land-link to The Rendezvous. This will give you a taste for the beautiful landscape of the Island. Ferries run from Vancouver to Schwartz Bay, Nanaimo and Victoria, however, the shortest route to us is by catching a Nanaimo ferry. Our pick up time is 4 PM but if you need an adapted pick up or drop off time, we can try to arrange this. Just give us a call well in advance. In the summer season, ferries can be quite full so we advise you to check the timetables and availability using the link below. The time you have to count to get from Port Alberni to the Nanaimo ferries is about 1 hour 40 minutes. If you are diving on the last day of your stay, we are usually in Port Alberni at 4 PM. Most ferry terminals have rental car offices. If you don't want to rent a car, the Grayline bus service is a good alternative and will take you all the way into Port Alberni. Once you have arrived in Port Alberni, you will have to transfer to a boat.

By Air

If you come by air, your best option is to fly into Vancouver or Victoria. The advantage of Victoria is that you are on the Island and you save yourself the transfer from Vancouver city. However you may find substantially better ticket prices flying into Vancouver and the transfer doesn't cost a lot. Smaller regional airlines have begun flying into Nanaimo or Comox and could be a time saver. Float planes are available from either Vancouver or Victoria for charter directly to our docks. Travel BC and the airlines will be able to assist you in bookings.

By Boat

The most common way to get to us is by boat. For larger groups we have a pick up service. Individuals can either book a water taxi themselves or take the motor vessel "Lady Rose" or the "Francis Barkley". Built in 1937 and running three times a week in the winter and every day during the summer, these beautiful ships will offer you a stunning ride through the Alberni Inlet. Return tickets cost around $ 50 per person.

Click here to go to the Lady Rose website

If you want to come with your own boat you will need to launch it in Port Alberni, Bamfield, Toquart Bay or Ucluelet. This file will give you information on Port Alberni Boat launches and Marinas

You may find a number of things are different in Canada than they are in your country.

Canada has Canadian dollars. All the information on this site is given in Canadian dollars.

The electrical system here works on 110V-50Herz. This may impact your equipment such a chargers, shavers, etc. If you have equipment that can handle multiple voltages, be sure to bring the right plugs. (US two pins or three pin plugs). We do however have a 220V for a small number of chargers. Because we run on generators we ask you NOT to bring hairdryers, curling irons and other non essential high wattage appliances. Please contact us if you need to bring respirators etc.

In general you should bring the majority of your own gear. However we do have some equipment for rent. Should you require some equipment we advise you to rent it through your diving store. In case you forget something or if something breaks, or you would like to try things out, we will be happy to help you. Just make sure that the equipment is available before you come.

MAKE SURE ALL YOUR DIVE GEAR IS IN SOFT STOWABLE BAGS NOT TOTES AS WE HAVE LIMITED SPACE ON OUR BOAT!!!

For all our specialty courses and seminars, we have the appropriate equipment on site.

We provide every diver with 80cft (12 liter) aluminum cylinders @ 3000 psi (200 bar). 

Additional weights are included and can be supplied.

Click here to download a free checklist.

Given the climate of the Barkley Sound, you should adapt your clothing to the season. In summer T-shirts, shorts etc. are fine. However, you should bring some warm clothing simply because you are diving all the time. Occasionally we do a longer day so another reason to have some choice of trousers and sweaters. In spring and autumn the weather is a little more fluctuating so adapt to it by increasing the amount of warm and waterproof clothing. Remember that wind is always a factor that may cool you down. Winter is a nice time to dive here but you must be prepared for colder days. Gloves, toques and scarves are good to have with you. Realize that what is true for clothing also applies to diving suits and accessories.

Please bring your own towel. All the bedding is provided. For your convenience we suggest you bring a pair of slippers and a small flash light (when you go to the hot tub in the dark)

PLEASE LIMIT YOUR GEAR TO A MINIMUM FOR EVERYBODY'S CONVENIENCE. THANK YOU.

We do not sell liquor, so if you would like to enjoy a beer, a glass of wine (after the diving) or your favorite soda, we ask you to bring your own supply. We have some soda for sale but we are not sure it will cover everyone's favorite selection. If you bring your ipod or camera, be sure to have film, chargers and/or batteries with you.  

Because we are a secluded spot, we can offer you the best of nature. And that's how we would like to keep it. We kindly ask that you take your batteries, plastic bags and bottles back to town with you and dispose of/recycle them correctly.

Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Rendezvous Dive Adventures Ltd.

PO Box 425 Port Alberni, BC

V9Y 7M9 Canada

Phone/Fax 1 250 735 5050

Toll free 1 877 777 9994