Gabriola is an island because it's completely surrounded by water. Yup, that's a fact, and any one of our school kids could probably tell me far more than my basic knowledge about our waters. I've taken the Canadian Power Squadron Boating Course, and passed (it was tough) but I never have had the opportunity to put into practice. Come to think of it, I've never circumnavigated the island by boat, and this is an unabashed appeal for the opportunity. I will even swab the deck, and sing "Way Hey & Up She Rises" on request. But first, it would just make sense to learn as much as I can about our surrounding waters before our kids put me to shame.

I walked the shores of some of our well known beaches to try to get a sense of the tides, currents, and winds. Malaspina Galleries is the most obvious creation the action of the sea has made. Moving around the island, the tide and currents at Gabriola Passage change dramatically. More chat about that in a minute. Conditions at each beach area lend themselves to activities like swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, and fishing in or out of harbour. We're not the only ones that seek a change of habitat. Shore birds gather everywhere, including Herons and Bald Eagles. Seals and sea otters play close to shore, and if you're patient you can watch whales breach off points on the east side of the island. Salmon are biting around Flat Top Islands, a dead give away by the number of fishing boats that gather there.

You may have seen the beautiful sailing yacht Santa Isabella pass through our waters. All of this activity has to come from some base and they are mostly from Silva Bay Marina or Page's Marina both located at Silva Bay. Silva Bay Shipyard School a full-time traditional wooden boating school. Rentals for most sea recreation can be found at the marinas, including water taxi, seaplane tours, pleasure fishing boats, dive gear and tours. This is the part I was getting back to.

The dive; what's under the waterline and getting a look without getting wet. Being a non-swimmer, non-risk taker, I waited on the wharf for a returning dive tour to interview. That was a great idea! As they stripped off their gear they were excited and slapped each other on the back with flippers. They were only too willing to share the adventure with me and were a stellar source of information. I actually got excited about trying it myself, but that's still to happen.

Their dive took place in the Gabriola Passage between Degnen Bay and Valdes Island. The narrowest point is about 120 metres wide, and an average depth of 30 metres. The thing about this passage is that the current can run at 8 knots. Too fast for normal diving. That means dives can only be done at slack tide and on the ebb. Boat dives can also be taken here on Roger's Reef. Over beer with fish and chips at the Silva Bay Restaurant the divers told me about their dive beneath the water. Descriptions of incredible marine life and shelf rocks and the ocean floor sounded like a diver's paradise, a Jacques Cousteau of the north.

They had swum with blue Wolf Eels, Orange Rockfish, Kelp Greenlings, multi-coloured anemones and urchins, and touched a giant white starfish. The biggest thrill was a Giant Pacific Octopus who stretched herself to her full 15 feet, and propelled away with amazing speed. Their underwater cameras got everything, which is all they will take away with them from the dive. Gabriola is slated to be part of B.C.'s Maritime Life Sanctuary, guaranteeing its pristine state forever.

I have learned so much about the water around and underneath us, and I think our school kids can give me a passing grade. I realize it's a very small percentage of what there is to learn. As I sail on the 'mighty' MV Quinsam, I have a new appreciation for the grey choppy waters beneath the ferry. "Well look at that!" ... I'm going to speculate that that beautiful green fish that slipped by us is a mermaid. Why not?