Page 405 - Mexico Diving From the Caribbean to Pacific Isles

iveaboards depart from either the city common scenario is doing three to four you check to see what your operator offers.
45-minute dives per day. Even though
L Aof Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico,
or from San Diego in California. The boat you only see great white sharks, these trips age diving is relatively new to Guada-
lupe Island but its evolution beyond
Cjourney time to the island is 18 to 20 hours, are never boring. Almost all of the time white
so daytrips from the mainland to visit the sharks will be going by. Generally you will the traditional stern-attached surface cag-

sharks are out of the question. Most of see 1-3 sharks at any one time, and a total of es, which still exist, has been swift. The

the liveaboard trips include 3 or 4 days of 4-8 individuals over the course of a 3 or 4 day so-called arms race began when Lawrence

cage diving. The Guadalupe dive season is trip. There are surface cages and submers- Groth of Shark Diving International start-

from August to October, when the ocean ible cages. Some operators only use surface ed submersing cages to depths at which

is calmest, and colder sea temperatures cages. A surface cage is tied off to the boat, the sharks lurk — about 50 feet — so he

(19°C to 22°C) are to be expected at this and floats on the surface. The cage is entered wouldn’t have to rely on “chumming” them

time of year. There is more chance of rain from the swimstep of the boat. You are on to the surface with ground-up fish and blood

in October. Great whites, tuna, Guadalupe a hookah, with a max depth of 5-10ft. Sub- (now illegal but still practiced by some).

fur seals and sea lions are seen through- mersible cages drop down to about 40ft. You Groth also built a submersible “cinema cage”

out the whole of August, September and enter on the surface, and the cage submerg- that has no sides, affording film crews un-

October. Usually there is a rotation, with es with you in the cage. Some divers feel like obstructed views but providing sharks

divers taking turns going into the cages. the sharks are more interested and curious with direct access to human flesh, if that’s

about the submersible cages, when both what they desire. Fortunately, they do not.

types of cages are in the water. Make sure