Vancouver Island camping/diving trip

[Coasting]

I live just north of Nanaimo and everything Delphinus said I would probably say as well. However I would not recommend Denman or Hornby. Just a bunch of no income hippies over there honestly. You're all ready emptying your wallet to get to Van Island.... don't keep giving BC ferries more money by going to another island once youre on the island.

There are 2 campsites near Cameron lake/Little Qualicum falls. Even the campsite at Comox lake is nice, I've been there a few times, but that might be a bit further north then you want to go... +/- an hour north of Nanaimo. Englishman river is nice, lots of good trails and swimming holes though there.

However don't hold you breath for the idea of a fire pit. Last year we were some of the first areas to ban ANY type of fire when the summer heat hit.

[daplatapus]

I've camped a few times at Living Forest and depending on the site the privacy isn't too bad. Back side, away from the water, is the most sheltered with lots of shade and probably better for tenting. Waterfront sites are set up for large units with full service. But they really aren't water front. You're sitting probably 50-60' above with a decent overview, but you need to walk down a dirt road to where the estuary is.
As for dive shops, I frequent Nanaimo Dive Outfitters and Sink or Swim Scuba. I've found both are run by decent folks, both offer Nitrox (if you do that) and are quite knowledgable for local dive site. So far for me, the better shore dives are actually north of Nanaimo up in Nanoose Bay and area. For me the not to be missed sites are The Big V in Nanoose Bay and Tyee Cove just a few K's south of there.
If you want to come up to my neck of the woods (45 min -1 hour from Nanaimo) in Port Alberni, we have a sunken immigrant ship that's pretty cool if the viz is good and a nice wall dive just a few 100 yards from it out in China Creek.

[msjboy]

Salt spring island is very nice in the summer.... mayne/pender/galiano,thetis island is smaller and worth just a bike ride. Lots of other gulf islands as mentioned but Saltspring has a nice community setting.

Also got to oak harbour/whiteby island where they shot "officer and a gentlemen in usa is nice from Victoria; they have camp grounds in most places.