Caves on Vancouver Island/British Columbia

[newman_diver]

I have heard rumors of caves on Vancouver Island and was wondering if anyone has heard the same. As well, does anyone know of any caves on the mainland of British Columbia? Thanks for the help.

Tyler

[skip]

I've heard of lava tubes off the northwest coast of Washington State, but have no information other than that. i think i read a brief description in a geology paper comparing various lava formations around the world, and the washington info was a one or two sentence reference. just enough to stick in memory, but not enough to remember anything!

-skip

[FW]

There are caves up there. There is a guy from B.C. that visits here occasionally, maybe he can tell you more. I can tell you that they are cold!

[JSNTP]

I looked into them a couple of years ago, but never made it up there. There's one called Devil's Bath somewhere around Port McNeil I think. It's been a while, but I can try to find the info for you if interested.
Bonnie

[Arnold Mesiser]

If you are very serious contact Pat Shaw at the URL posted (BC).He can be away on expeditions a lot so have patience as well do not expect to be given info immediately.

These are NOT caves for recreational dives as even getting to them is brutal not to mention many require caving/repelling or alpine techniques.Devil's Bath is VERY advanced and has extreme current /low viz/COLD water and razor sharp rillenkarren.Essentially the only people diving these are VERY experienced sump divers and cavers.


http://www.cancaver.ca/docs/CanCaverList.htm

[JSNTP]

I found out about the existence of the caves relatively easily, but heard the same things eramosakarst said. Also, I was told that you probably will not find these caves on your own and will have to prove your ability to get anyone to take you there. I never persued it, but I believe these are very serious caves.

[newman_diver]

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for the info and keep it coming. I don't plan on jumping into something without properly prepared, but I want to know if there is something around here so I can get myself ready to do it. I have heard stories of caves where guys had to push their partners down the hole because the current was so bad. Sounds like a blast.

[Hammerhead Ferrari]

I have been shown a couple of potential cave/underground river sites around Naniamo, but haven't yet had the chance to explore furthur. I know it's wrecks instead of caves, but if you wanted to come out to Naniamo one time with us, we go and lay a gold line in various routes through the HMCS Saskatchewan on the first day of a week long trip and practice skills and drills there. We run and mark the gold line with arrows for jumps(up,down,right,& left), gaps, etc like it was a cave. Good practice to keep the skills sharp. Must be deco certified though as we usually have up to 2.5hr runtimes(with deco) reaching 115-120ft.We also try to get a group picture of all of us sitting on the row of crappers just for fun...

[Arnold Mesiser]

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for the info and keep it coming. I don't plan on jumping into something without properly prepared, but I want to know if there is something around here so I can get myself ready to do it. I have heard stories of caves where guys had to push their partners down the hole because the current was so bad. Sounds like a blast.

Pat knows all the sites on the Island of relevance,if you get a hold if him you will have the right person.A HUGE portion of the island is karst....

[Zen Diver]

This is great info. I'm mostly a lurker here, and at the beginning of my overhead career (lots of PNW diving, Cavern certified and hopefully Intro and Apprentice this fall), but I'm curious about Vancouver Island caves too. I grew up in Nanaimo and I can remember doing a field trip to some dry caves as a kid; way cool. I'd love to, one day, be able to dive in a Van. Island cave somewhere.

-Valerie