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Not just Shark Pictures: Elasmodiver contains photos of sharks, skates, rays, and chimaera's from around the world. It began as a simple web based field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter different species of sharks and rays but it has slowly evolved into a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark diving and photography. There are now more than a thousand shark pictures and sections on shark evolution, biology, and conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a constantly outdated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:
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ELASMODIVER EXPANDED If you're looking for a broader range of marine life pictures the following links represent a new area that contains pictures on other marine organisms and on marine habitats. This expansion of Elasmodiver is in its first stages but will eventually include pages on everything from sea stars to nudibranches. Creating this portal will take time and for now it consists of a token offering of fish pictures. Please return regularly to enjoy the progress.
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SHARK DIVING HOTSPOTS - QUADRA ISLAND |
 Encounter: Thousands of Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) accumulate in a specific spot each summer off the west coast of the island. Divers arrive by boat and head down the line to about 30ft. A bag of salmon is introduced which encourages the dogfish to approach the divers. Its then possible to hand feed the sharks. It is not uncommon to be surrounded by hundreds of 2 to 5ft dogfish and have several at once latched onto the bait in your hands. The ensuing tug of war is one of the most entertaining shark interactions that you will ever experience. The shark dives are tide dependent as they are in a channel that feeds into Seymour Narrows. Temps are cold all year round so a 7mm exposure suit or drysuit is compulsory.
Abyssal Diving is the second diving lodge on Quadra and its possible that they would also organize a dogfish dive if requested but I have not heard of this occurring.
Directions: Quadra Island is located off of the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is connected to Van. Island via an hourly ferry service from Campbell River. To reach Campbell River drive north from Naniamo, which is in turn connected to the Canadian mainland via a ferry service from Departure Bay north of Vancouver or Twawassen ferry terminal south of Vancouver. Allow lots of time for your journey as BC ferries get very busy during the summer months and its not unusual to have to wait for two or three crossings. The mainland ferries can be booked in advance. Useful Links:
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Operators: DynaMike's Dive
Charters. Mike Richmond runs weekend charters each summer to the vibrantly
colored reefs of Seymour Narrows. Although this is his primary business, the
dogfish dive has become so heavily requested that he usually squeezes in at
least a couple of dives with the sharks on each trip. His fast aluminum
dive boat carries around 12 divers and can get you from the dock to the site in
about 15 minutes. Mike is a very knowledgeable diver and the main pioneer of
sites around the island. When not underwater he revels in shocking people with
his brand of quirky, politically incorrect humor. 
Accommodation: Mike and his
wife Darlene operate a dedicated diving lodge (that Mike built out of local
timbers) close to the dock. Most divers choose to stay with him and this is part
of the package that is offered. Most rooms have four bunks. The lodge caters to
small groups and is generally booked months in advance so it is wise to arrange
your trip early. Individuals can often join up with dive clubs that tend to book
up the prime weekends. Darlene is a fine cook and the lodge is equipped with
camera tables, a large diver friendly lounge, a drying room, and an air fill
station. There are numerous other B'&'Bs on the island and an alternative dive
lodge but Mike's experience is well known and his lodge is a friendly relaxed
environment to hang out in between dives.
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