How would I go about diving with great whites?
- Thread starter kunegochu
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Bill Fisher
Contributor
Yes...you do have to be a certified diver for the submersible cage.
The "lunchbox" as it's called, goes roughly 20 feet deep, but it is still hookah, with scuba tanks strapped in as back-ups. So you can suck as much air as you wish. They did take it deep this year (100 feet) but that was not with "clients". Also, the bottom where the boats usually anchor is roughly 250 feet deep, so you are not on the bottom, but just hanging out in blue water. Go for it !!!!!!!!!!
I'd recommend getting hold of the Book "The Devil's Teeth," and then booking with one of the operators (there may be only one) that go to the Farallons off of the Golden Gate. I would love to get out there, it sounds like one of the "truly wild" places.
I am a supporting member of the Shark Research Institute and will be doing their whale shark expedition in December. I will be assisting the researchers by getting into the water and gathering information and tagging the whale sharks. I will also assist with hammerhead and other shark observations. All that is required is that you be certified with at least 50 logged dives. They will train you on the expedtion, and I have already been given my homework so that I am best prepared. They also do the great white expeditions in the Guadalupe Islands. I prefer this type of shark diving, especially since I get to do more than just look at the pretty fish. If you have any questions, please PM me. Here is the links to the organization: Shark Research Institute- shark conservation, education, research . There are also other organizations that research and do shark dives, such as, The Shark Alliance The Shark Alliance. I also receive the Shark Diver Magazine which specifically targets us shark divers. Sharks - Shark Diving - Shark Diver Magazine - everything you want to learn about sharks - great white sharks - tiger sharks - whale sharks - bull sharks - pictures of sharks
What has to be understood about sharks, is that they are very skiddish, and being an in control diver (not swimming with hands and being able to control trim and buoyancy) is critical, especially when diving with the larger predators. They are also turned off by a rapid heartbeat, so control of your emotions is critical too. I had the pleasure of diving with nurse and reef sharks in the Bahamas, and a few allowed me to swim with them, and to stroke them. These were not feed dives. It's definitely the most incredible experience that I have had and cannot wait for my future dives with them!
Diving with sharks is a rare and exciting treat!
Happy Diving with my Sharkies!
Carolyn:sharks:
What has to be understood about sharks, is that they are very skiddish, and being an in control diver (not swimming with hands and being able to control trim and buoyancy) is critical, especially when diving with the larger predators. They are also turned off by a rapid heartbeat, so control of your emotions is critical too. I had the pleasure of diving with nurse and reef sharks in the Bahamas, and a few allowed me to swim with them, and to stroke them. These were not feed dives. It's definitely the most incredible experience that I have had and cannot wait for my future dives with them!
Diving with sharks is a rare and exciting treat!
Happy Diving with my Sharkies!
Carolyn:sharks:
grassyknoll
Contributor
I would save the money and put it towards a trip to Guadalupe. My wife bought me a dive trip out there in Sept. with Incredible Adventures. The island is cool but except for the sea lion behavior you would never guess whites were about. Nothing like spending hours in a 7mm looking out into green water "Wait, there! What is that, there there!!? Damn, another jellyfish". The Farallones are cool enough that I'm going again with them this Saturday, they let you do a second free ride along if you get skunked. So maybe this Saturday will be the charm. But seriously, Guadalupe is where you want to go.
Shawley
Contributor
Being safe? staying out of the water lol
Hey Tridacna! I'll meet ya anytime for a shark dive! What ya doing next year?
Happy diving with my sharkies!
Carolyn:sharks:
I'm off in Feb to do some more! You're welcome. Long trip though...
To be honest, a big Zambezi is a lot scarier than a GW. Happened to me three years ago. He was watching us for about 3 minutes before my buddy and I saw him. No time to take pics. Just watched him and hoped that he saw a snack elsewhere. As soon as he was gone - so were we. Sausage up and dive over.
Try Gansbaai in South Africa. If you want to see the big boys. And no disappointments. You will see them. No second rides needed.
You're already diving with them... it's just that you don't see them, but they probably know where you are. I've dived SoCal waters for 38 years and have never seen a great white underwater. I went to Guadalupe to see them.
