Great White Shark Diving at Guadalupe Island

Articles - News - Ideas and more

Great White Shark Diving at Guadalupe Island

Author: C.C.

Guadalupe Island’s 100-foot visibility is evident in its
crystal-blue water. Unlike the Farallons or South Africa,
Guadalupe Island has great visibility. This allowed us to see
the great whites from a distance giving notice to get the
cameras ready.

Our white shark encounters provided action from daybreak until
sunset. Swimming slowly and cautiously around our shark cages
were male and female white sharks ranging between the sizes of
12 to 16 feet in length. During close-up passes, the sharks
looked directly at us, revealing the different color variations
in their eyes. The center of their eyes is not black as
described; they are actually brown. While staring into the eyes
of one of the great whites, I noticed a thin, beautiful, blue
circle. The great whites also have cones in their eyes. Animals
having such cones are able to see different colors; therefore,
it is likely that great whites also see color variations.

The water temperature at the island ranges between 70 – 75
degrees Fahrenheit. A 7mm wetsuit with a hood and boots, or a
drysuit is recommended for exposure protection. I used a Ľ inch
wetsuit, but I plan on having a drysuit for next year’s trip.
Most of the participants wore wetsuits and were just fine---some
were even a bit warm.

The last day of the trip we enjoyed an extensive visit from two
California sea lions. Enchanting encounters to say the
least---watching the ballet-like movement of the sea lions as
they swim through the water. Next year's escorted trip to
Guadalupe Island will be September 20- 24, 2004. The cost of the
trip is $2,350 per person bunk quarters, and $2,550 for private
stateroom. The adventure is worth every cent to see the ocean’s
apex predator up close and personal. For those who wish to come
along for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity contact TerraSea
Travel & Tours toll free at 1-800-403-8488 or visit their
website at www.terrasea.net

TerraSea offers an array of adventures and expeditions.
Travelers can chose from wonderful land-based hotels and resorts
to liveaboards for the maximum diving. Our worldwide adventures
encompass diving from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Divers can
choose from wreck diving, diving on coral reefs, or high
adrenaline action in close up encounters with pelagics: great
white sharks, whale sharks, dolphins, whales, manta rays, great
hammerheads and tiger sharks.

TerraSea customizes individual and group tours for scuba diving
travel adventures to fit your needs and desires. Their knowledge
and expertise of travel and destinations provides first class
service for a first class trip, and guarantees the lowest price
with the best value.

TerraSea also offers land adventures where you can visit the
Maya ruins, travel up river through a nature preserve
encountering beautiful tropical birds and monkeys, go hiking
through a rainforest, or explore the Australian Outback.