Exploration Guide for Guadalupe Island
Experience the Thrill of Great White Shark Cage Diving at Guadalupe Island
Guadalupe Island, a remote volcanic island off the coast of Mexico, is a haven for marine life enthusiasts seeking a unique underwater adventure. This island is renowned for the presence of Great White Sharks, and offers an unparalleled opportunity for cage diving with these majestic creatures.
The Perfect Liveaboard Experience
For those looking to embark on this extraordinary journey, the best liveaboard options are specialized vessels that depart primarily from San Diego or Ensenada, providing multi-day trips with several cage dives daily during the season from July to November. These liveaboards offer exclusive access to Guadalupe Island, as it is only reachable by boat and has no land accommodations.
Typically, these trips last 5-6 days, including 3 full days of cage diving with Great White Sharks. The cost for the liveaboard experience is around $3,300 to $3,700 USD, excluding airfare, port fees, and gratuities.
Diving Characteristics and Special Features
Water temperatures at Guadalupe Island range from about 68 to 75°F (20-24°C), visibility often exceeds 100 feet, and cage dives can be made multiple times daily with surface cages designed for safety and long immersion. One unique feature of Guadalupe is the availability of the SPOC (Self Propelled Ocean Cage), a small submersible that carries divers alongside sharks.
Top Choices for Guadalupe Liveaboards
The Pelagic Fleet is noted for luxury Guadalupe liveaboard trips, which are well-regarded for quality and itinerary. Other specific vessels are commonly booked through specialized shark diving tour providers based in California or Mexico.
Important Considerations
It is essential to note that shark cage diving at Guadalupe was reported as closed indefinitely in 2022, so checking the latest operational status with authorized operators before planning is essential.
Preparing for Your Dive
The journey to Guadalupe Island takes 18 hours by boat, and sea-sickness medication is recommended. Divers usually take turns for 3-4 dives per day, each lasting 45 minutes. Cold temperatures are expected during dives, with water temperatures in the 60's. A 7mm suit or drysuit is recommended.
In the cages, short strobe arms are necessary due to limited space. Fast shutter speeds are recommended for underwater photography, at least 1/125th of a second. High-speed shooting mode on your camera can be beneficial. Use strobes on manual power, low power, with diffusers to help avoid hot spots on the sharks' bellies. Fisheye or rectilinear lenses work well for underwater photography. Use a wide-angle lens, as macro lenses are not suitable.
Some operators may offer the option to exit submersible cages for a "cageless" great white shark diving experience. White sharks are commonly seen during dives at Guadalupe Island, but visibility at the island is not explicitly mentioned in the text.
After arriving in San Diego, California, a bus brings you to Ensenada. Liveaboards depart from Ensenada for Guadalupe Island. For more information on Guadalupe liveaboard options, visit the Guadalupe dive page on Bluewater Travel's sister website.
- Guadalupe Island, off the coast of Mexico, offers an unparalleled opportunity for cage diving with Great White Sharks as part of a specialized liveaboard experience, departing primarily from San Diego or Ensenada.
- Water temperatures at Guadalupe Island range from about 68 to 75°F (20-24°C), and dove visibility often exceeds 100 feet, making it ideal for multiple daily cage dives with surface cages designed for safety and long immersion.
- For those interested in Guadalupe liveaboards, top choices may include luxury trips by the Pelagic Fleet or vessels booked through specialized shark diving tour providers based in California or Mexico.
- During dives at Guadalupe Island, divers should consider using short strobe arms due to limited space in the cages and fast shutter speeds for underwater photography, at least 1/125th of a second, to capture clear images.
- Shark cage diving at Guadalupe Island was reported as closed indefinitely in 2022, so it's essential to check the latest operational status with authorized operators before planning.
- While white sharks are commonly seen during dives at Guadalupe Island, the visibility at the island is not explicitly mentioned in the text, making it challenging to determine the ideal conditions for macro photography or "cageless" great white shark diving experiences.
