What John said!
The diving is 100% a must see. Should be on everyone's list
Here is a quote from an article I wrote about it in Wetpixel Quarterly:
"We were on the liveaboard MV Mamro, operated by Captain Dan Ferris. It is not a luxury liveaboard, indeed it is one of the few boats that makes Jim Abernethy’s Shearwater feel spacious, but we wanted for nothing, laughed more than on any dive trip I can remember and had arranged our return even before the week had ended."
It is a basic, small boat that is far from spotless. But has everything you need. If you get decent weather and can get outside, it feels a lot bigger. If it rains all week - it is a small space to be cooped up in.
I am sad that I don't have a trip booked on the Mamro this year, but when I do arrange to go back, it will be my choice for the area. The Mamro is certainly a favourite of many of the photographers who visit Port Hardy. But the sort of photographers who visit this area, tend to be the type who are happy to rough it for their images.
All the dive sites are productive - and the schedule is dictated by the tides. The diving is actually all pretty easy, and hugely dense in terms of subject matter. Dan is great and knows the waters as well as any. But to be fair, I think both John at the Hideaway and the guys at God's Pocket (who I haven't met) have (at least) the same in depth level of knowledge of the waters. There are no cowboys in this part of the world.
I would suggest planning two shorter trips, rather than one long one. If you get poor weather (rain all the time) it can really sap your energy and you will really feel the cold after several days. 3 hours plus in these water temps (and more hours out on the water), day after day, certainly takes its toll - especially if it is hard to warm and dry between dives. If you are used to repetitive cold water diving then it is not an issue. But in general, I suggest people go for a week, and if they love it go back the next year.
Alex
