FAQs
Is there a “best time” to go?
There is no “best” time. Based on our experience, we’ve noticed that earlier in the season (July/August) we tend to see more of the subadults, both male and female, and a handful of adult sharks. The subadults are the sharks which usually go after the bait and put on a show - think teenage boys. As the season progresses into September and October, the adult females arrive, and they are more impressive but somewhat less likely to actively go for the baits.
Are there rules for our interactions with the sharks?
Absolutely. We are in the shark’s environment and need to act appropriately. This means listening to and obeying the dive masters, staying inside the cages, not touching the sharks, not poking the sharks with GoPro sticks, and a host of other expectations which you can read here: Sustainable Shark Diving Rules
What are the physical requirements ?
All divers must be in reasonably good physical condition and able to climb in and out of the cage while wearing a 30-50 pound weight belt. The goal is to be negatively buoyant, so expect a heavy belt.
Existing conditions such as cardiopulmonary disease, diabetes, or asthma could require physician’s approval in order to safely dive. Divers weighing over 250 lbs. should contact us in advance so we can have an appropriately sized weight belt available. .
How do we get to Guadalupe?
Guests meet in San Diego and take a quick, comfortable motor coach ride to the border, where we depart the coach and take our individual luggage through the customs/border patrol checkpoint. Once we’re across the border and back on the coach, we have a roughly 90 minute drive to the Port in Ensenada, where we board the boat to being our journey.
Why do you require dive insurance?
Your primary medical insurance may exclude scuba diving as a hazardous recreational activity and/or may not provide coverage when you are traveling out of the country. There are also often large out-of-pocket payments for deductibles and co-pays. These alone can total thousands of dollars. Should you have an accident while on your shark diving trip, dive insurance will cover the reasonable and customary cost of medically necessary services and supplies.
And if that’s not a good enough reason, the shark diving vessels won’t let you into the cage without proof of dive insurance. It’s required.
Do you have any tips on avoiding seasickness?
Better safe than sorry when it comes to seasickness. We recommend all guests take appropriate seasickness medication starting 12 hours prior to trip departure.
For most of our guests, Dramamine or Bonine tablets do the job. Those who are prone to motion sickness, however, should talk with their physician about Scopolamine patches and Zofran tablets.
Additional tips for avoiding seasickness include:
Don’t eat greasy foods, drink alcohol or party excessively the night before a trip.
Get a good night’s sleep.
Stay above decks on the boat.
Tell the crew if you feel unwell.
Are we guaranteed to see sharks?
Sharks are wild animals and do things on their own schedule, so we cannot ever guarantee they will make an appearance. What we can guarantee is we’ll put you in the best place on the planet to see white sharks between July and November. With that being said, we’ve never heard of a group at Guadalupe not seeing any sharks.
Is a valid passport required?
Yes. You must have a valid passport and a copy needs to be provided 30 days prior to your trip.
What are the age requirements?
While exceptions can be made on certain vessels to accommodate younger children, the guideline is that children age 13-16 may dive if they are scuba certified, accompanied by a parent/guardian.
What is the difference between Dive Insurance and Trip Insurance?
Dive Insurance covers medical costs associated with a dive related injury.
Trip Insurance allows for reimbursement of the cost of your dive trip if the trip is cancelled. Should a cancellation happen, depending on the amount and type of trip insurance purchased, you may also receive reimbursements for the costs of your hotel, airfare, etc.
Some trip insurance polices cover shark cage diving as an activity, which means the policy can serve as both your trip insurance and dive insurance. Examples are Roam Right and the World Nomads Explorer Plan.
https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/
You have numerous insurance options, and we know it can be confusing. If you have any questions about which insurance plan is best for you, let us help.
Why should I book my trip through Be A Shark Adventure Travel?
As frequent guests onboard different boats at Guadalupe Island, we know what it’s like to travel solo or be on your first dive trip. And we’re here to help - whether it’s answering your pre-trip questions or talking through the best settings for your GoPro. We know you’ve got questions, and we’re happy to answer them.
We book fewer trips each year than the major boat operators, which means for the same price you’ll get a more personalized experience from start to finish.
We offer pre-trip and onboard educational opportunities, including courses on photography, videography, and shark identification.
We support responsible shark diving, which means we expect our guests to abide by all rules, for their own safety and the safety of the sharks. Guests who fail to follow the rules will lose their dive privileges for the day.
Our hearts belong with the white sharks of Guadalupe Island, and it’s an honor to be able to introduce them to you.
Is being scuba certified a requirement?
No, you do not need to be scuba certified to view sharks from the surface cages. The air is supplied from the deck of the boat via a "hookah" system, so you do not wear a tank on your back in the cage. However, being comfortable in the water is important, so we strongly suggest you consider a short hour-long "Discovery Scuba" course at your local scuba shop.
Certified divers are allowed to utilize the submersible shark cage, which is lowered to a depth between 25-30 feet below the surface. Dive Certification cards must be provided prior to departure in order to use the submersible cage during your trip.
What should I bring?
We’re more Interested in comfort than fashion while at Guadalupe, and we aren’t afraid to wear the same shirt twice.
We encourage our guests to pack light, and to pack layers. Click here to see our recommended packing list.
What is the weather and water normally like?
You can check the local weather here : https://www.worldweatheronline.com/lang/en-us/isla-guadalupe-weather/tabasco/mx.aspx
Typical temperature in the water is 68-72 degrees, and visibility often exceeds 50 feet. .
What happens if my trip is weather delayed or cancelled?
It is the policy of the SolmarV not to issue refunds for cancelled trips. This is why we strongly recommend all guests purchase trip insurance. On the rare chance our trip is cancelled, guests who purchased trip insurance will receive a refund via the insurance process.
What if I need to cancel?
Deposits and payments are non-refundable,. Should you need to cancel your trip after payment has been made, please contact us immediately.
If you are able to find a replacement for your spot on your own, we will provide a refund equal to the new guest’s payment amount once their payment has been received.
Once the other available spots for that trip have been sold, we will work with you to resell your trip by promoting the opening on our social media channels. If we are able to resell your trip, a refund will be provided equal to the amount of the resale.
Can I rent my wetsuit ?
Certainly! Contact Ocean Enterprises in San Diego, tell them you’re going shark diving and answer their questions about your body type. They’ll put together a wetsuit package including wetsuit, gloves, boots, hood and mask, and deliver it to the host hotel on departure day. Following the trip you’ll leave your gear with the hotel - it’s that simple.