Failure At the Farallons?

[KelpCoasters]

Hey all. Just curious... anybody out there ever participate in a cage-diving excursion to the Farallons and have the misfortune of not seeing any whites? If not, for those of you who've gone on such trips to the Farallons, how was it? How many sharks? Love to get some insight from anybody. Thanks..

 

[scwdive]

I've had several oportunities to speak with Lawrence of Great White Adventures, www.greatwhiteadventures.com , over the last few years. My impressions are that sharks are seen on the surface about 75% - 80% of the trips. There have been a few skunked trips, and he offers a free ride (when space available) on these rare days. From the cage, sightings seem to be much less common. Visibility averages 15 feet during shark season, and I imagine it is difficult to draw sharks towards the cage with the restrictions they work under. Guadaloupe Island of Mexico's Baja Peninsula is incredible. Huge sharks in clear water. Two U/W photo friends of mine swear this is the place for the best incounters (they have been everywhere else - but one did qualify that seeing GWS leap from the water is a South African experience) ... Hope this helps, Dive safe.
Sean

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Air Jaws can happen at the Farallones too.

 

[KelpCoasters]

Yeah, obviously Guadalupe would be the way to go but that trip is 5 days and costs $2500 dollars; something I just can't spend the time and money on. I'm already booked for October. I was informed, however, that sharks are not guaranteed, and nothing was mentioned about a free ride when space permits. They do have something like an 85% success rate. Visibility shouldn't be a problem since the GWs use their sensory system rather that their sight to detect most prey (in this case a decoy at the surface). I'm crossing all my fingers and hoping for some lenghty time in the water with the Landlords. Are they not allowed to bait or chum inside the sanctuary?? I guess what I'm really looking for is someone that made the trip and was flat out disappointed. Thanks for the input fellas and wish me luck.

P.S. I just might accidentally cut myself......

 

[JustinW]

10-15 years ago we chartered a boat out to the Islands out of San Pablo. We never saw a white. If I recall we went around this time of year, perhaps too early.