Exploration of Guadalupe Island: Insider's Tour Guide
Guadalupe Island, located off the west coast of Mexico, is a premier destination for thrill-seeking divers who wish to encounter the majestic Great White Sharks. From July to November, this island offers the best opportunities for shark sightings, making it the ideal time for a diving expedition.
The journey to Guadalupe Island begins with a bus ride from San Diego, California, which brings you to Ensenada. From there, liveaboard vessels, specially designed for cage diving, set sail for an 18-hour boat ride to the island.
Once at Guadalupe Island, divers can expect to spend their days in the company of Great White Sharks. The number of sharks seen over a 3-4 day trip typically ranges from 4-8 individuals. Divers usually take turns for 3-4 dives per day, each lasting 45 minutes.
Safety is paramount during these dives, and both surface and submersible cages are available. Surface cages are tied to boats and float on the surface, while submersible cages drop to about 40ft below the water's surface. Some operators even offer an out-of-the-cage experience, allowing divers to stand on top of submersible cages for a "cageless" Great White Shark diving experience.
To capture these encounters, fast shutter speeds of at least 1/125th of a second are advisable. Fisheye or rectilinear lenses are suitable for underwater photography at Guadalupe Island, with a wide-angle lens being the preferred choice. Use strobes on manual power, low power, with diffusers to help avoid hot spots on Great White Shark bellies. Short strobe arms are recommended due to limited space in the cage.
The water temperatures at Guadalupe Island are cold, typically in the 60's, requiring a 7mm suit or drysuit for diving. The water may seem colder than normal due to remaining still in a cage during dives.
Before planning a trip to Guadalupe Island, it's important to verify the current operational status as diving may be temporarily closed. Pricing for these liveaboard trips typically ranges from about $3,300 to $3,700 USD per trip, not including airfare, port fees, or gratuities.
For the best Guadalupe liveaboard options, visit the Guadalupe dive page on Bluewater Travel's sister website.
[1] Source: Bluewater Travel [2] Source: Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions [3] Source: Dive Wise
- The premier destination for divers seeking an encounter with the majestic Great White Sharks is Guadalupe Island, off the west coast of Mexico, offering the best opportunities from July to November.
- During a diving expedition to Guadalupe Island, divers can expect to spend their days with Great White Sharks, typically seeing 4-8 individuals over a 3-4 day trip.
- Safety is prioritized during these dives, with both surface and submersible cages available for protection.
- To capture these encounters underwater, a fast shutter speed of at least 1/125th of a second is advisable, along with fisheye or rectilinear lenses, and a wide-angle lens for the best results.
- The water temperatures at Guadalupe Island are cold, typically in the 60's, requiring a 7mm suit or drysuit for diving.
- It's essential to verify the current operational status of Guadalupe Island as diving may be temporarily closed, and pricing for the liveaboard trips typically ranges from about $3,300 to $3,700 USD per trip, excluding airfare, port fees, and gratuities.
