Sail to Guadalupe Island for an unparalleled in-water experience with one of the world’s most respected and enigmatic predators: the great white shark. With its clear blue water, subtropical temperatures, and an abundance of great whites, the protected waters surrounding Guadalupe Island are one of the absolute best places to observe and photograph these awe-inspiring animals. Depending on your comfort and skill level, watch sharks from the surface cages (no SCUBA certification necessary!) or take the plunge in the submersible deep-water cage for the ultimate experience 30ft below the surface. With a background in marine biology and decades of field photography experience, Scott Davis is the perfect leader for this unique adventure.
HIGHLIGHTS
Itinerary Updated: October 2020
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 4 | Arrive in San Diego and travel by private bus to board the ship in Ensenada, Mexico. | On board the Nautilus Explorer | |
| Sep 5 | Sail to Guadalupe Island. | On board the Nautilus Explorer | B, L, D |
| Sep 6 - 8 | Spend three full days in the water with great white sharks. | On board the Nautilus Explorer | B, L, D |
| Sep 9 | Sail back to Ensenada, Mexico, and travel by private bus to San Diego Airport. | B, L |
Scott is a professional photographer specializing in wildlife, nature, and travel. Originally trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, his research and photo assignments took him to the far corners of the globe. National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, and renowned magazines have used his photography. His patience for teaching and love of capturing the essence of his subjects make him one of our most popular tour leaders.
Arrive in San Diego. Transfer to the Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel and Marina for a welcome reception with drinks and snacks. If you would like to arrive earlier, we can arrange your overnight at the Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel and Marina. After the reception, you will travel by private bus to the dock in Ensenada, Mexico to board the Nautilus Explorer.
Sail to Guadalupe Island and arrive around dinnertime. You can spend time on the deck searching for sea birds such as cormorants, boobies, and auklets along with occasional pods of dolphins or enjoy the ride indoors in the lounge or library.
Guadalupe Island is a volcanic island with a rugged landscape located 180mi off the west coast of the Baja Peninsula and about 250mi southwest of Ensenada. It consists of two ancient overlapping shield volcanoes, the largest, Mount Augusta, rises to about 4,250ft in the north and the smaller, El Picacho, about 3,200ft in the south. The small island measures about 22mi by 6mi with a coastline of rocky bluffs and dense forest above.
Spend three full days with great white sharks in your choice of surface cages or 30ft submersible cages. Cages are open from 6:30am to dusk, so you have the freedom to spend the day in the cages for as much or little time as you like. You can expect between 125ft and 150ft of water visibility enabling you to see sharks approach from beyond the anchor line through the clear, cobalt blue water. In the evenings after dinner, you can scan the shark identification catalogs to try to ID sharks you swam with that day.
Guadalupe is considered one of the best spots in the world to see great white sharks, possibly because of its large population of pinnipeds. Many island or marine species that live near Guadalupe also frequent the Channel Islands. Guadalupe was the last refuge for the northern elephant seal and the Guadalupe fur seal in the 1890s. The island has been a pinniped sanctuary since 1975.
You’ll spend most of the day at sea en route back to the mainland. Keep your eyes peeled for seabirds, bow riding dolphins, and maybe some whales. You’ll arrive in the Ensenada port in the afternoon and a private bus will transfer you back to San Diego airport or to the hotel if you are extending your stay.
Sail this Pacific island to swim with one of the world’s most respected and enigmatic predators: the great white shark.
29.048718, -118.264529
The 25-passenger 116ft Nautilus Explorer is the world's first and only fully SOLAS certified dive boat. This beautiful tough small ship carries the same certificates as the largest cruise ships in the world. She has a steel hull and superstructure, sea stabilizers, and sails at 12 knots maximum service speed. Equipped with two submersible cages and two surface cages, all with easy entry ladders, 12 passengers can be in the water at a time.
| Type | Description | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Triple Stateroom | Triple occupancy, two lower twin-sized beds and one upper twin-sized bed, porthole, air conditioning, and private bath. On Lower Deck. (Stateroom H) | $3,800 |
| Double Stateroom | Double occupancy with two twin-sized beds, porthole window, air conditioning, and private bath. On Lower Deck. (Staterooms C, D, E, F, G, and J) | $4,100 |
| Superior Suite | Double occupancy, picture window, air conditioning, wardrobe, and private bath. The Rosario and Nautilus can have one quasi-king-sized bed or two full-sized beds, and doors that open directly outside. The Dofleini has one queen-sized bed and a TV. On Upper Deck. (Dofleini, Rosario, Nautilus) | $4,625 |
| Single Stateroom | Single occupancy with one full-sized bed, porthole window, air conditioning, and private bath. On Lower Deck. (Staterooms A and B) | $5,125 |
| Premium Suite | Double occupancy with one queen-sized bed or two twin-sized beds, separate lounge with convertible futon, picture windows, air conditioning, desk, wardrobe, two TVs, and private bath with full bathtub. On Upper Deck. (Emerald) | $5,250 |
Costs are per person depending on cabin type, single, double, or triple occupancy, not including airfare. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will find a roommate for you, but if we cannot find you a roommate, we will not charge you a single supplement.
We cannot guarantee a specific cabin number, but if changes occur, we will assign a cabin of equal or greater value.
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $1,000 |
| Second | September 15, 2020 | $1,500 |
| Final | April 1, 2021 | Remaining balance |
Payments will be due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Refunds are given depending on the time left before departure according to the following table. The cancellation fee of $300 per person can be applied toward another tour if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferrable.
| Dates | Forfeited Amount per Person |
|---|---|
| On or before January 31, 2021 | $300 |
| February 1 to February 28, 2021 | 10% of tour cost |
| March 1 to March 31, 2021 | 40% of tour cost |
| On or after April 1, 2021 | 100% of tour cost |
September air temperatures range from 60 to 80°F (15 to 26°C) during the day and can drop to 45 to 55°F (7 to 12°C) at night. Water temperatures average 72°F (22°C). September is the tail end of the dry season for the Pacific Coast.
Minimal fitness is required to join this shark safari, but your fitness and in-water ability enrich the experience. Getting in the water is not required; we’ve shared this safari with travelers who had wonderful experiences shark watching from the ship. To get the most out of this safari you should be comfortable in the water and getting in and out of the water via a ladder. We recommend you spend time swimming at a pool or similar before your trip to make sure you are comfortable in water. If you would like to use the 30ft deep sea cages, you must be SCUBA certified.
Airfare is not included in trip costs. Detailed logistical information and the contact information for our recommended flight-ticketing agent are included in the Trip Materials we will send you. Pleaselet us know if you are arriving earlier or staying later as we are happy to assist you with any extra overnights that you might want to arrange.
Flights you (or a travel agent) book: Arrive in San Diego, California (SAN) no later than 5:00pm on September 4. Depart from San Diego, California (SAN) after 9:00pm on September 9.
The Nautilus Explorer has four shark cages. Two cages are submersible to 30ft and two remain at the surface. In both the submersible and surface cages, you will use a hookah breathing system with air coming directly from the boat’s compressor. Do not worry if you have never used hookah systems before, because we will demonstrate its use and a divemaster will be with you in the cage at all times.
You do not need a SCUBA certification to enjoy lots of time with the sharks in the surface cages. If you are SCUBA certified, you can also use the submersible cages. If you are not certified, and want to use the submersible cages, you should get SCUBA certified before this safari. The best resources to find SCUBA certification courses near you are the two largest diving certification programs: PADI and NAUI
Our goal is to keep our guests safe and also to protect our growing shark population. To that end, we teach and ask for responsible shark interactions that do not impact or change the behavior of these magnificent animals. We do not use oil, chum or blood. A piece of tuna, wrapped in a burlap sack, is all the sharks need to know we have arrived. We do not feed the sharks at any time. Conservation efforts continue at night when we kick back in the salon and identify who we spent the day with. And should you discover that you hung out with a great white shark not yet catalogued, yes, the naming rights are all yours.
Don’t let a fear of seasickness scare you away! For all but the most sensitive, seasickness is rarely a problem in this region. It’s a good idea to bring medication if you get seasick or are unsure, but you may find that you do not need it after a couple days once you have your “sea legs.” Even those who have experienced seasickness reported that the incredible wildlife and overall experience were well worth the temporary discomfort. Read our online suggestions for coping with seasickness and contact us if you have any concerns.
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Scott Davis