Farallon Islands, California Cage Diving Schedule
Great White Sharks Expeditions
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Search Words: Great White Shark Diving Great White Cage Diving Guadalupe Island Isle of Guadalupe Mexico Great White Adventures Tour Operators Prison Beach Twin Canyon Discovery Bay Farallon Islands California Great White Shark Encounters Carcharodon carcharias Shark Anatomy and Physiology
Witnessing a very large White Shark attack consuming a 200 to 300 pound
Elephant Seal is an extremely dramatic event. These predatory acts are
bloody and violent. Though you may be observing this from the safety of the
vessel, you may need to consider this aspect of your adventure and decide if
this is an encounter you wish to experience. These events are purely natural
and occur as part of the everyday life of these incredible animals. These
types of events are truly unforgettable.
Expeditions to the Farallon Islands are approximately 12 hours in duration
and include an early morning continental breakfast, hearty lunch, snacks and
beverages, aboard the expedition vessel, Superfish. The Superfish is a very
stable and comfortable dive platform. This expedition can accommodate up to
9 divers and 6 topside observers per trip, providing a personal atmosphere
of instruction and information concerning White Sharks.
Farallon Islands Encounter
In late October of 2002, Eco-Photo Explorers completed a spectacular adventure with Great White Adventures to photograph Great White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). Our expedition vessel at the time was the M/V Patriot which transported us to one of the most secluded locations on the California coast. Great White Adventures is now using another expedition vessel called the Superfish.
Our destination was the Farallon Islands (the Spanish word “farallon” means rocky promontory rising from the ocean), 30 miles (26 nautical miles) west of the Golden Gate Bridge. We used shark cages and surface supplied air to try and observe and photograph these magnificent animals. Impressive by any standard, the Great White Shark is the world's largest predatory fish. It ranges worldwide in temperate and subtropical seas, but is considered uncommon. They grow to an average size of 15 feet; the largest recorded specimen was 21 feet.
Hollywood may have given us the impression that great whites hunt humans, their diet really consists of seals, sea lions, dolphins, and fishes including other sharks. Attacks on humans are extremely rare, and probably cases of mistaken identity -- a human floating on a surfboard looks surprisingly like a sea lion or seal from below.
- For more information, read our
field notes of this
expedition.
Lawrence Groth, president of Great White Adventures states that their trip to the Farallon Islands in 2001 had a success rate better than 80%, encountering White Sharks on 23 of 28 trips to South East Farallon Island (SEFI). Expeditions to the Farallon Islands are approximately 13 hours in duration. We departed from Alameda, California at 6:00 AM, returning approximately 7:00 PM. Trips run September through November (peak shark season), Tuesday through Sunday. All trips are limited to nine divers maximum. Great White Adventures will provide one two diver shark cage that is designed for maximum safety, excellent viewing and photography. All diving will be surface supplied or Hookah only.
The nutrient-rich waters surrounding the Farallon islands (in the south central part of the sanctuary) as well off Bodega Head and Point Reyes is actually part of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary which was established 1981 to protect and preserve the marine birds and mammals, their habitats, and other natural resources in these waters and to insure the continued availability of the area as a research and recreational resource. The sanctuary, a 1,255 square mile area (948 square nautical miles) is larger than the state of Rhode Island and is home to thousands of seals and sea lions and has the largest concentration of breeding seabirds in the continental U.S. For more information on the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, please link to Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association.
The Farallon Islands, it's simply Shark Diver Heaven!
- Trip Planning & Reservation Information
- Physical Requirements
- What to Bring
- Hotel Information
- Underwater Photography & Videography
- The Vessel
- Tour Operator
- Shark Related Information
- Multimedia Program (Presented By: Eco-Photo Explorers)
Trip Planning
The Fall season September through November generally provides the best weather for the Gulf of the Farallons region (peak shark season). However, weather is always a factor when operating a vessel on the ocean. Safety is the number one priority and adverse weather can effect your expedition schedule. The expedition company we have chosen, have always used experienced and professional crews and have been conducting expeditions to the Farallons since 1998. DAN Diving Insurance (trip protection) is highly recommended.
Schedule: (1 Day Trip)
Departing from Emeryville, California at 6:00 AM, returning approximately
7:00 PM -
Click for Landing Map.
Price: Cage Diver (US$775 per person - 9 divers max) -
requirements
Includes cage diving, diving air, weights and weight belts, continental
breakfast, lunch, snacks, beverages, beer, wine.
Price: Topside Observer (US$375 per person - 6 people max)
Topside Observers may be accompanying one or more of the cage divers or just
come along for the ride to enjoy all the sights and sounds above the surface.
Although being in the water and meeting a Great White Shark face to face is the
ultimate experience many shark encounters may be viewed from the surface. When
natural predations occur most of the feeding activity takes place on the surface
in full view of everyone. All Farallon expeditions are very educational
and exciting for anyone who loves to be outdoors and on the ocean. During the
trip you may encounter whales, porpoise and many other varieties of marine
mammals and sea birds. To spend the day at South East Farallon island is an
amazing experience that we wish more people could enjoy.
Physical Requirements - Although being a certified diver is a plus, it is not required. The tour operator does recommend completing a Discover Scuba introductory course (available on the boat) if you are not certified. You must be at least 13 years of age to cage dive. All minors must be certified and accompanied by a parent or guardian.
If you wish to cage dive, some basic physical abilities are required. You, as a diver should be able to enter and exit the cages on your own. Example: Can you easily climb in and out of a swimming pool without the use of stairs or a ladder? You should be in reasonably physically fit condition. If you have existing conditions such as cardio pulmonary disease or other conditions or illness that require medication and or frequent access to medical facilities you may not be eligible to participate in these activities. Some physician approval may be required for other conditions such as diabetes, asthma etc. The maximum weight limit for cage diving is 250 lbs. If you weigh more than 250 lbs and are physically fit, then arrangements can be made to accommodate you.
Cage Dives:
All diving will be surface supplied or "Hookah" only. The cage can
accommodate up to 4 divers at a time. Divers will rotate approximately every 30
minutes, alternating throughout the day. During the expedition, decoys are
utilized to attract White Sharks to the surface and the cage. This method has
proven very successful and is generally accepted for use inside a Marine
Sanctuary.
Weather & Water Conditions:
(
local weather )
Water temperature averages 52° F to 56° F
Visibility averages 20'
Required Dive Equipment: (to be provided by you)
Mask, Wet Suit (7mm optimum), Hood, Boots, Gloves, Weight Belt (if not
standard size), Spares
DO NOT Bring:
Fins, BC's, Tanks, Regulators, Weights (unless you do not fit a standard
size), Spear guns
Suggested Clothing:
Sunscreen, Towel, Warm Jacket, Sunglasses, Hat
Hotel Information
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San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Bridge Holiday Inn
(SFOBBHI) 1800 Powell St. Emeryville, CA 94608 Bus: 1.510.658.9300, Fax: 1.510.547.8166 Toll Free: 1.800.423.0908 We recommend the Holiday Inn due to its convenient location. Please call the hotel directly for reservations and be sure to mention our tour operators name: "Great White Adventures" because guests receive a discounted or Corporate rate. Directions Rate: |
Airport Shuttle Service:
Shuttle Service offered by
Bay Porter
1.877.467.1800 (Bay Area Toll Free)
1.415.467.1800 (Outside the Bay
Area)
From San Francisco Intl. (SFO)
US$25.00
From Oakland Airport (OAK) US$21.00
Prices are subject to change, so please call ahead. You will need your Airline and Flight arrival time to make your reservation with Bay Porter.
Underwater Photography & Videography
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Optional Equipment: (not necessary)
U/W Photography Equipment - Photographers are welcome and the crew will make
every effort to accommodate your needs as well as provide fresh water for
your cameras. Remember to charge your batteries.
Keep you camera as
streamlined as possible. This will make it easier to operate while inside
the cage. All cameras are welcome, Nikonos, Sea & Sea, Sea Life, as well as
Housed and video cameras. Since these sharks are large and come close to the
cage, a 15mm, 20mm or 35mm lens is suggested. Many find a 20mm optimal.
Since the waters around the Farallons can be hit-or-miss, we recommend you
use strobes on the first few dives. If you are blessed with good visibility
you may want to leave the strobes in your cabin.
Fine-grain films
(ASA 64-100) are good for bright sunny skies and good visibility, but you
may want to bump up your film speed a notch or two (ASA 200-400) if the
skies are cloudy or the water quality isn't up to par. It's best to bring an
assortment of film speeds if your still shooting print or using slide.
The Vessel
The Superfish is the only Great White Shark dive boat operating in US waters and is a compilation of commercial capability and industrial strength with creature comforts. Equipped with modern electronic navigation equipment to meet the demands of operating safely and effectively in the offshore environment, the Superfish has proven to be an excellent platform for both commercial and recreational activities. Customers will really appreciate the Superfish's size (54 ft), speed and maneuverability, while they enjoy her comfort and stability.
Cage Dives: All diving will be surface supplied or "Hookah" only. The cage can accommodate up to 4 divers at a time. Divers will rotate approximately every 30 minutes, alternating throughout the day. During the expedition, decoys are utilized to attract White Sharks to the surface and the cage. This method has proven very successful and is generally accepted for use inside a Marine Sanctuary.
Tour Operator
Great White Adventures (GWA) is one of the best expedition groups you can travel with if you're planning to visit the Farallon Islands. GWA is an organization that promotes conservation and protection of the marine environment while providing adventurers with a rewarding and educational experience. Great White Adventures as well as Eco-Photo Explorers believe that education and enjoyment of our environment is the key to its protection. We all hope you will come away from your adventure with a new found respect and appreciation of the ocean and all of its inhabitants.
We have traveled with Great White Adventures on multiple trips and highly recommend their operation. GWA is slowly changing their name to "Shark Diving International (SDI)" because they are now providing shark diving trips that span the world. They have an unblemished safety record which is priority number one, an extremely professional and experienced crew, as well as having the best shark cages we have ever been in to date. You will not be disappointed.
- Great
White Adventures |
Shark Diving
International
Make sure you include our Referrer Name: Eco-Photo Explorers on all correspondence to Great White Adventures (GWA) or Shark Diving International (SDI).
Shark Related Information
Multimedia Program -
Inside the Cage: Shark Cage Diving in North
America
Join Eco-Photo Explorers as they venture inside the cage
right here in North America to dive with Blue Sharks in California, Rhode
Island and New York. This program will conclude with heart-stopping action
from Mexico’s Isla de Guadalupe, home to some of the largest Great White
Sharks in the world.
- Great White Shark Information | Guadalupe Photo Gallery
- Expedition Field Notes: 2005 | 2002
-
2005 Guadalupe White Shark Season Synopsis (pdf)
Courtesy: Great White Adventures/Shark Diving International - The Shark Foundation has been committed to the protection and research of sharks since 1997 and sees itself as the sharks' lobby.
- The ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research is dedicated to shark and ray conservation through its scientific research and public education programs.
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DAN Diving Insurance is |
2002 Field Notes | Expedition: Guadalupe Island | Great White Homepage
Any questions not addressed in the above pages or in this website, should be
forwarded by email to Technical Support.
- http://www.ecophotoexplorers.com/contacts.asp?subject=Technical Support#form
