Anybody here used Absolute Adventures for Guadalupe Island?

[lee3]

I've searched this site up and down as well as undercurrent for a trip report from someone and there is precious little information about any of the boats offering trips to view the white sharks at Guadalupe island. I'm curious if anyone here has any info on this operation and specifically the MV Islander which I understand they purchased last year? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[drbill]

Must admit I don't. When I was there last Dec., it was on private vessels as part of a scientific research expedition. Very interesting experience.

Dr. Bill

 

[needtodive]

no never used that outfit but.
two years ago went to guadalupe island with great white adventures.
top notch outfit. it's a five day trip runs about $2200.
sharks all day, sometimes three or four at a time!
look up. www.greatwhiteadventures.com

 

[robbcayman]

needtodive, do you have any pics from guadalupe?

 

[needtodive]

yes go to www.photothru.com at the top hit gallery. then look for the search by album. type "sharks" in the search box. it should bring up about 7 albums. not the best shots but not bad for the first time takeing U/W photos.

 

[dhaas]

Doc Anes at San Diego Shark Diving (www.sdsharkdiving.com) may have open spots for this season yet. I visited Guadalupe in 2002 and 2003 and you can view some of my images at www.pbase.com/dhaas

They are truly awesome animals and this type of diving may be geting more expensive or even protected sometime in the future. Point is, go NOW if you can go....

Dave Haas

 

[mjh]

dhass,

Nice Great White shots. We go out next month with SD Shark Diving. Any tips? Did you use a strobe?

Thanks

 

[dhaas]

MJH,

Yes, I used a single Ikelite DS125 strobe with my housed digital SLR. 1/4/ to 1/2 power most of the time. One year I used a zoom lens (Nikon 18-35mm on a Nikon D100) and the second a Sigma 15mm lens. Key is to wait until the sharks get close to the cage and then fire off as long a sequence as you can.

Plus spend as much time as possible in the water not skipping any dives! I dived in a wet suit each trip (2002 and 2003) as this is simpler and the water at the surface wasn't bad, temperature wise. 7mm one piece, hooded vest, boots and 3mm gloves. First trip out when people were getting cold towards the last days (in November that year) I was in for 5 hours straight. Had a hot breakfast that morning and came out looking like a prune, but got some good shots

Taking turns of one hour in and one out is standard protocol, though, and with the system Doc uses you can still get in 3, 4 or more hours per day.

Hope this helps!

David Haas

 

[Dr Mike1]

Hi Lee,

I was out with those guys last year with my entire family and the year before as well. Great dive site and very good crew. We were onboard with Phil Colla who is an amazing UW photog and knows these islands very well. I ended up with a few shark images, but mostly we were there for the experience along with the tuna fishing. We had a huge shark called "Fat Tony" spend an entire afternoon with us. They also have a nascent research program with the Mexicans out there and we got to track one of the sharks for the whole week while we were at the island.

Phil posted some images on his site (better than mine) at:

http://www.oceanlight.com/html/great_white_shark.html

http://www.oceanlight.com/html/diving_recommendations.html

I hear they are now offering a deep dive submarine to go see Giant 6 Gills at www.sharkdiver.com I may take my younger son on that one...we'll see.

Hope this helps, good diving,
Dr. Mike