Horizon Charters: Guadalupe Island Shark Dive Schedule 2008

Welcome to the world of the Guadalupe Island great white shark! The adventure that you are about to embark on has been defined by the few to travel before you as

"One of the greatest adventures of a lifetime!"

Location, location, location...

Guadalupe Island, 215 miles south of San Diego and 150 miles west of the Baja peninsula is a true offshore mountain that rises more than 4000 feet from the ocean floor, to over 4000 feet to its’ highest peak. This ecologically diverse landmass that stretches over 20 miles in length and 8 miles in width has in the past 8 years become the best place in the world to see one of the greatest apex predators that our planet has ever known.

Guadalupe Biosphere

In 2003, the terrestrial portion of Guadalupe Island was given biosphere status by the government of Mexico. Following suit in 2005, the waters surrounding the island were presented with the same status. This action in our view was the best course of action possible to help protect the multitude of endangered species that live on and around Guadalupe Island.

To learn more about conservation efforts and terrestrial research being conducted on the island go to: www.islandconservation.org
To learn more about the Guadalupe Island Conservation Fund visit www.guadalupefund.org

Shark Diving and How You'll Do It

Cage diving with great white sharks is easy and uncomplicated. If you’re already a certified scuba diver it will be a breeze. If you are not a diver, looking forward to your first time underwater, you may find yourself wanting to become a scuba diver after this adventure. It's that much fun!

For you non-certified divers, our onboard dive staff will guide you through the basics of underwater existence, complete with a comprehensive course onboard the vessel that will cover: use of the regulator, mask and weight system. One member of our staff will enter the cage with you on your first time into the water to ensure that you can clear water out of your mask and purge water from your regulator (air supply). The staff member will stay with you in the water until you demonstrate that you are ready to go it alone. If you need additional practice, our staff will work with you until your are ready.

Our vessels are equipped with the largest shark cages on the planet and can comfortably accommodate 5 shark divers at a time. The cages are suspended on the surface by two large attached floatation pods and are positioned directly off of the vessels dive platform. The deepest you will be in the water would be at the bottom of the cage, 9 feet.

Your air is supplied from the vessel via a hookah system that is always on. Breathing air is supplied from our expansive air purification and storage system. Our storage capacity is so large that we are required to turn on our high pressure compressors only once per day to replenish our supply. We can keep up to 18 divers breathing comfortably for 11 hours on a single charge!

We break the divers up into two groups of 8, and then split each group into teams of 4. One half of the boat will be in the water at any given time. Cage rotations last for one hour per rotation. The cages are typically deployed and ready for action by 7:00am with diving throughout the day that concludes between 4:30 and 6:00 pm depending upon the weather, conditions and time of year. You could have the opportunity to spend up to 5 hours per day in the water viewing great white sharks!

What You'll Need to Bring

Your dive equipment is included in the trip or you may bring your own dive equipment. You will not need as much equipment as a typical scuba dive adventure. Download our equipment checklist to assist you in packing all of the right gear.

The atmosphere aboard MV Horizon is relaxed and casual, swim suits during the day with shorts and t-shirts at night. When packing, remember the atmosphere is casual and informal. You're on vacation, relax!

Guadalupe Island...Photographers Heaven

White sharks are the focus of this adventure, and we will do everything that we can to ensure that you have the opportunity to view these animals within shutters reach. In addition to viewing great white sharks, you will be able to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of the island, ocean and all of the animals that you encounter during the course of your time at sea. Whales, sea lions, fur seals, dolphin and a multitude of bird species will be seen, with many at close range. Keep your cameras handy, and if photography is not your cup of tea, soak it up mentally. This is an experience that you will remember for a lifetime!

Work To Be Done

As you read this, shark research is being conducted by Mexican and American interests to determine:

Why Guadalupe has become white shark central
Where these animals are migrating from prior to the Guadalupe shark season
Where they travel after departing Guadalupe Island
And finally, what effect eco-tourism is having upon there behavior

Horizon Charters provides continued logistical support for both American and Mexican research interests. With that said, funds are needed to keep the projects alive. If you have interest in providing monetary support with a tax deductible donation we can point your interest into the proper direction.

Many more years of dedicated research will need to be conducted to answer the simple questions posed above. At some point during your adventure we will hope to host one of the islands working researchers for an evening of Q & A. This is not a guarantee as work schedules and weather quite often dictate whether we will have a researcher available to us.