Isla Guadalupe - Which boat would you recommend and why?

[jenncard]

Right... after reading The Devil's Teeth (awesome book, BTW), I was all set to head off to Farallon Islands for some "inexpensive" (only in the relative sense!) cage diving. However, after reading all the advice and input here on ScubaBoard I've decided that Guadalupe it is.

So, now I'm trying to figure out which boat I should take and would GREATLY appreciate input from everyone!

Also, feel free to throw in your thoughts on when is the best time of the season.

Many tanks,
Jenni

 

[NTSilver]

I have been on the Nautilus Explorer and I can tell you it is a first class boat with a first class crew. That would be my vote.
On a side note, I understand the Undersea Hunter's new ARGO will be going to Guadalupe laster this year for some cage diving along with their deep see submarine.

 

[Carnell04]

NTSilver, can you tell me more on the Explorer? The week I was looking at going is 8/29/09 and it says 5 nights. There are a couple of other trips that do 7-8 nights which is too long. Does 5 nights mean 3 full days in the water (cages). How many do you usually see? I am trying to convince one guy to do it with me and my brother but he wants the traditional dive trip right now. This seems like a once in a lifetime.

 

[Carnell04]

Also, what is the latest on the Mexican Gvt's stance on these trips. The latest Scuba Mag had info on there they were trying to shut these things down. Also, the Explorer website on the 2009 dates has a note on there about "pending Gvt approval".

 

[Bill Fisher]

I have been to Guadalupe many times, the earliest in 2002.
It is a very exciting place, and every time I've been there I have seen at least 10-15 different sharks.

I would advise going with Great White Adventures/Shark Diving International

SHARK DIVING INTERNATIONAL - The World's Ultimate Shark Diving Adventure Company

These guys are the pioneers of great white shark cage diving at Guadalupe.

No matter what you've read on the internet, they have the most experience at the island and have done more trips there than any other operator. A lot of the other operators/boats jumped on years after these guys.

Also, a HUGE plus is they are the only operator who has a submersible cage.
A totally awesome experience, which I highly recommend.

Check out my video called "Submerged In A Blue Dream" at the link below...some of it was shot in the submersible cage.

MySpace.com - Bill-333 Productions - 99 - Male - CHICAGO, Illinois - www.myspace.com/bill_333

If Great White Adventures/SDI are all booked up, which I don't think they are, my next suggestion would be to go with San Diego Shark Diving. They would be my 2nd choice after Great White Adventures.

I hope you have an awesome trip and see lots of Great White Sharks !!!!!!!!

Bill

 

[NTSilver]

NTSilver, can you tell me more on the Explorer? The week I was looking at going is 8/29/09 and it says 5 nights. There are a couple of other trips that do 7-8 nights which is too long. Does 5 nights mean 3 full days in the water (cages). How many do you usually see? I am trying to convince one guy to do it with me and my brother but he wants the traditional dive trip right now. This seems like a once in a lifetime.

I did not go to Guadalupe with NEX, I went with them to Socorro. It is a great boat. As I understand the Guadalupe trip, there are 3 full days of cage diving, but it's probably best that you confirm that with them. They are very friendly and responsive to calls and emails. I am like your brother - I want a traditional dive trip. In the cages you are not really diving, but I am sure it is a great experience.

I am not sure about the permits. That is discussed somewhere else on this board - I believe in the Mexico section. I do know that a new boat - the ARGO - from the Undersea Hunter group is planning to be in Guadalupe this year to do cage diving and it appears that the trips are scheduled so they must have gotten the proper permits. However, they will only be there for Oct/Nov timeframe, so I don't know what their plans for 2009 are. Hope this helps.

 

[Bill Fisher]

Carnell04,

I totally understand the people who don't compare cage diving to scuba diving, they are different, it's not the same...and it's not a traditional dive trip. But I have seen divers with 1,000's and 1,000's of dives get out of those cages and say that it was the coolest thing they ever did. I've laughed as I watched divers that I will never catch up to, as far as level of experience, etc....draw on that reg so hard. If they had a tank on, it would have been dry in 20 minutes. Good thing it's hookah...Hahahahaha...for some once is enough, for others they can't get enough.

In my opinion, NOTHING compares to being eye to eye with a Great White Shark. Don't let the others hold you back...GO...you won't regret it.

 

[Carnell04]

Thanks. I will push it.

 

[jenncard]

Well, I ended up booking with Nautilus Explorer - btw, they also have submersible cage - and leave on Tuesday, 07 Oct! Wahoooooo!

Will update scubaboard when i return from my long date with the man in the grey suit...