Shark diving Guadalupe

Shark Diving Xperts is dedicated to giving scuba diving enthusiasts, non divers, film makers and shark lovers from across the globe the ultimate great white shark cage diving experience, right here in Guadalupe!

5 Star reviews on Facebook!

The shark diving experience

  • The experience

    Enjoy unbeatable diving conditions with the world's biggest white sharks - no experience required!

  • The experience

    Live aboard our luxury dive vessel, enjoying some of the best cuisine between incredible dives.

  • The experience

    Your 5 day great white shark diving adventure begins with a pick up from the beautiful San Diego

  • The experience

    An experienced crew who love sharks, diving and have been featured on a variety of documentaries!

Dates and Prices

General prices:

  • Sharing: $3,495(pp)
  • Private: $3,795 (pp)

General Trip dates:

  • Trip 1 16 Sep 2021 to 21 Sep 2021
  • Trip 2 22 Sep 2021 to 27 Sep 2021
  • Trip 3 28 Sep 2021 to 03 Oct 2021
  • Trip 4 04 Oct 2021 to 09 Oct 2021
  • Trip 5 10 Oct 2021 to 15 Oct 2021
  • Trip 6 16 Oct 2021 to 21 Oct 2021
  • Trip 8 28 Oct 2021 to 02 Nov 2021
  • Trip 9 03 Nov 2021 to 08 Nov 2021
  • Trip 11 15 Nov 2021 to 20 Nov 2021
  • Trip 12 RESERVED 21 Nov 2021 to 26 Nov 2021
  • Trip 13 RESERVED 29 Nov 2021 to 04 Dec 2021
  • Trip 14 RESERVED 06 Dec 2021 to 19 Dec 2021

Specialty Trips:

  • Trip 7 - Paul de Gelder & Joe Romeiro expert led photography science expedition 22 Oct 2021 - 27 Oct 2021 - Enquire
  • Trip 10 - Ralph Collier Shark Research Committee exclusive expedition 09 Nov 2021 - 14 Nov 2021 - Enquire

All inclusive pricing

Our great white shark diving trips are all inclusive. There are no hidden extras to worry about.

Your price includes:

  • All meals / snacks served by our professional chefs
  • All beverages including beers and wine
  • All dive equipment including wetsuits and masks
  • Shark diving Guadalupe permits and Mexican Visas

Want to learn more? Read our Shark Diving FAQ

LIMITED PASSENGER COUNT

What makes our trips different from many others is that although our 90 ft vessel is capable of holding up to 30 passengers we limit our shark trips to just 16. This is the lightest passenger load you will find on any shark trip available at Guadalupe island.

The reason? We find that fewer people equals less disruption to the environment and of course, the sharks. This in turn equals more sharks for your enjoyment plus more time in the water (imagine taking it in turns with over 30 people!)

Another benefit to the lower numbers is that it makes the trip more personal. From past experience, we know that the best kind of trip is when everyone becomes “part of the crew” for the 5 days at sea. Our crew to passenger ratio is 1:2 so you and everybody else on board will get a very personal and professional service, allowing us to cater for your particular needs whatever they may be.

Private charters and film production:

As well as our regular shark diving schedule we are also available for private charters for tour groups, multiple bookings and film production. Our dates are not set so we can cater for regular 5-day charters or multiple days on request. Contact us for more information

Guadalupe - Great White Shark Diving

  • Guadalupe great white shark diving

    World-renowned Great White shark location, famous for its “mega” sized sharks.

  • Guadalupe great white shark diving

    Home to an abundance of marine life. Sharks are not the only wildlife you will be encountering!

  • Guadalupe great white shark diving

    220 miles South West of San Diego and approx. 165 miles off the west coast of Ensenada.

  • Guadalupe great white shark diving

    Dramatic, majestic and untouched. A truly unique and breathtaking location. Welcome to Guadalupe Island!

Our luxury shark diving vessel:

  • The crew

    About the boat

    Our luxury shark diving vessel

    • Our vessel, a custom built 90 ft.live aboard is your home for GW shark expeditions.
    • 2 huge surface cages holding up to 4 people each with plenty of room for equipment. Cage diving at its best and most comfortable.
    • 2 additional cages available for film crews and private charters giving unique perspectives for professional photographers as well as exhilarating and unforgettable expereinces.
    • Spacious dive and viewing decks for you to enjoy the action even when you are not in the water.
    • Flexible and compatible for film production. With our crews experience and skill set we can work with you to get whatever shots you need.

    Meet the crew

  • Book your trip

    Accommodation

    Your home on this adventure

    • 11 luxurious state rooms designed for maximum comfort. 2 beds, air conditioning, electrical outlets, wash basin and plenty of storage.
    • Want a state room all to yourself? No problem, private state rooms available on request.
    • Huge galley with plenty of space for you to relax between dives, socialize and enjoy our chefs amazing food!
    • Professional and passionate chefs who steal the show every trip. Experience, skill and awesome food.
    • Openly designed outers decks, rooftop and hot tub! Enjoy some Mexican sun and relax between dives.

    Book your trip

Great white shark diving testimonials

  • Great White Shark diving

    “Beyond awesomeness! Wake Up and Live-Beauty in its own Habitat! Power, Poise, Calculated, Majestic, Peaceful and #1 Predator!!! Jump in with Jimi and SDX!! More than your highest expectations!!”

  • Great food and drink

    “The chef was top notch and the food is seriously incredible. I don't mean like "it's good for food you'd expect to eat on a shark trip", I mean it's like 5 star restaurant good!”

  • Guadalupe Shark Diving

    “I would highly recommend to everyone to take this trip at least once. I will be taking another trip to Guadalupe again in a few years, and I will book through SDX again and again and again”

  • Amazing sharks

    “Shredder is my all time favorite, Bruce definitely second!!! It's so hard to choose - all the great white sharks in Guadalupe are just incredible!”

  • Great team

    “The sharks are the stars, but the crew makes the trip! Jimi and Shark Diving Xperts are all so educated and experienced in the field, you WILL see more sharks than with any other charter!”

Frequently asked questions

What is included in the trip?

Everything. Once you board our vessel there are no hidden fees for the rest of the 5 day trip. We supply all the food you can eat, all Mexican visa fees, Guadalupe Island permits, all accommodation, all beer and wine, all equipment including wetsuits and masks plus sharks and memories to last a lifetime.

It is customary to leave a gratuity for crew which is typically between 10 – 20% of the scheduled trip fare.

Is great white shark cage diving safe?

Yes, cage diving with great white sharks is one of the safest shark dives you can do. As well as quoting our 100% safety record we must point out that contrary to popular belief, the sharks are often cautious and timid during dive operations. The animals often approach our cages with extreme care and will vary rarely bump or mouth the cages for investigation.

On rare occasions, if this does happen our cages are designed to withstand the challenge. The sharks are not being aggressive, just exploring new objects in their environment. Never forget, our highly qualified and experienced crew always regard your safety as their number one priority and will never put you in a situation that is deemed to be unsafe in anyway.

How does Guadalupe Island compare with other GW shark locations?

We believe that Guadalupe Island is hands down the best location in the world to dive with great white sharks for a number of reasons. Firstly the water visibility is unlike any other location (up to 100ft) and is often calm and warm making the diving very pleasurable.

Secondly, the average size of the sharks found at Guadalupe is huge unlike many other locations (between 12-18ft).

Lastly, we believe that if you want to meet a great white shark it is something that you have wanted to do for a very long time so why not do it in style? Due to our time at sea and the abundance of sharks found here we feel after the end of the 5 days you will have had the “ultimate great white shark experience” at Guadalupe.

Do I need to be SCUBA certified to cage dive?

No, we will give anyone who is non certified a quick and easy lesson on the basics of scuba diving during the expedition by our certified dive crew. Diving in a shark cage is not proper scuba diving and as such, only the basic skills of scuba are needed. Often, many people on our trips have never dived before and after this quick scuba class are soon in the water enjoying the sharks like pros.

How much dive time can I expect during the trip?

Underwater time for our guests average between 12 – 18 hours over the course of 3 days. This is due to our cage capacity and our limited amount of guests. Unlike some great white shark operators who only offer 45 mins in total, on our trips, by the 3rd day we often see divers sitting out rotations out of choice as they have simply seen so much.

How big are the great white sharks?

Male white sharks average between 10-14ft and the females between 12-18ft.  It is theorized that the sharks visit the Island to breed so most of the sharks we see are mature animals. What is special about the great white sharks at Guadalupe Island is not only their size but also their girth. These animals are wide! You will truly appreciate this when one is cruising towards you.

How reliable are the great white shark sightings at Guadalupe Island? 


We have never failed to see sharks on any of our trips such is the high concentration at Guadalupe Island. It is not uncommon to have more than one shark around the cages at the same time and on spectacular days, lucky guests can be treated to the sight of between 5 – 7 different sharks circling the boat! By the end of the trip will have certainly got your fill of sharks.!

How clear is the water?

We are diving in the Pacific ocean and clarity is often between 80 – 100 ft. It is not a case of peering into the gloom and only seeing sharks when they are right in front of you. Due to the brilliant visibility, you can see our sharks from deep down approaching from the depths and providing you with some amazing photo opportunities. It also makes for some fascinating behavioural observations unlike anywhere else in the world.

What temperature is the water? 


The water temperature at Guadalupe Island ranges from 65 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit. We suggest diving with a 5mm – 7mm wetsuit with a hood. Even though at times you may feel the cold, guests are rarely too concerned, as a 15ft shark looking at you soon takes your mind of it! Additionally, when you get out the water the warm Mexican sun as well as our hot tub on the back deck will soon get you toasty very quickly.

Where is Guadalupe Island?

Guadalupe Island lies in the middle of the Pacific approximately 220 miles southwest of San Diego and 165 miles west of Ensenada. From Ensenada it takes us 22 – 24 hours to get there. It is a remote and untouched location that when coming into view after such a long journey is an incredible spectacle for our guests onboard.

What other marine life can I see during the trip?

Great white sharks are not the only form of marine life you can encounter during our trips. Even on the travel days back and forth from the Island we often come across what most people consider “once in a lifetime sightings” of Pacific coast wildlife. From dolphins riding the bow wave of our vessel, humpback, pilot, grey and blue whales commonly seen plus an abundance of seabirds, the journey to the Guadalupe is a marine tour in itself! In past seasons we have come across mako, blue and hammerhead sharks as well as manta rays. Once at the Island many species again, can be encountered, from the 3 species of seal found along its coastline to dolphins, turtles, schools of tuna and rare beaked whales.

What is the accommodation like?

Sleeping quarters onboard the vessel are stateroom style with 2 beds per room. Each room is air conditioned with a sink, mirror, electrical outlets and plenty of storage space. Berths have pillows, full linens including a fitted sheet, top sheet and comforter. You have the option of sharing or can have a private room all to yourself.

We have a large galley for relaxing, socialising and watching movies on our flat screen tv. This area has a great “homely” feel about it and with constant food on hand (and unlimited beer and wine!), our guests will spend most their time on travel days entertained in this area.

On our outer deck we have a hot tub which is perfect to keep warm and relax in-between dives or at the end of the day with a few beers in hand. We also have a large upper level which at night, often becomes the location for star gazing into the evening.

What is the food like and can you cater for specific diets? 


Our food is freshly made and lovingly served by our friendly chefs. As well as cooking 3 full and varied meals a day, they provide you with all the snacks you can eat including freshly caught sushi. The bar or kitchen is always open for you to help yourself to any food that is available! Depending on your diet we are very flexible and will cater for whatever your requirements are including vegan and vegetarian options. Put simply, the food on this trip is as memorable as everything else and you will not go hungry.

What experience does your operation have?

Experience is our number one contribution to this trip. The crew have been diving and sailing Baja and Southern Californian waters for over 25 years and their knowledge of the area is impeccable. Our team consists of highly experienced captains and crew all federally licensed mariners. Even our chefs have the qualifications required! We believe our team is the most qualified and well rounded operations at Guadalupe Island.

Tell me about your safety record?

Our trip boasts a 100% safety record that we are very proud of and wish to maintain. How is this possible? Well, we are aware that working with such a large animal in its own environment requires no room for error and have implemented strict and safe procedures to achieve this. This requires the correct deployment of equipment, personnel, and experience. When accidents happen in this industry it is usually due to operator error, something that we have never been involved in. Any kind of accident is not only bad for our customer, but also the sharks and the shark diving industry as a whole.

What makes you so successful at getting sharks?

Although we have a 100% success rate, this is not what makes us unique. What does, however, is that our crew are so in touch with the environment and its varying conditions we are able to consistently find more sharks than any other operator at Guadalupe Island. Our crew are also highly experienced fishermen and finding fish is their specialty. A great white shark is a large fish and because of this our superb team, we are capable of not just showing you one, but up to 10 different sharks a day. The team use their years of experience of the water and the animals and their commitment to giving you the ultimate experience is what stands us apart from many other operators.

What are the cages like?

We have seen and been in many different shaped and sized shark cages all over the world and ours are amongst the best there are. We have two cages that float on the surface and allow for maximum great white shark viewing

The cages are a huge talking point when customers first board our vessel and we are proud to show them off, as we believe they are amongst the finest in the industry. Our cages were created under the direct supervision of experienced marine welders in San Diego. The superior quality of materials used make them the finest and largest cages in the waters of Guadalupe Island. Another plus is that they were designed with the diver in mind for easy access both in and out of the water, offering plenty of space for up to 4 divers, plus great viewing windows for fantastic photographic opportunities.

Are we breathing off SCUBA?

Yes, we use a hookah system that is very simple and easy to use. We are all divers in our team and we know what makes the correct air system. When spending so much time underwater viewing sharks you want to be comfortable. We have spent years diving locations around the world and unfortunately, have had many uncomfortable experiences with bad equipment. It can ruin the entire trip so we want to get it right. Twin Bauer compressors fill our massive air banks on a nightly basis and supply correctly filtered air throughout the dive day. Additionally our regulators and dive equipment are serviced to the highest standards.

I’m a photographer / Film crew looking for particular shots. Is this possible?

Professional photographers and film producers frequently use us. The reason? Superb knowledge of our environment. Many of our crew are themselves enthusiastic photographers and are only too keen to pass on tips and advice on how to get that “specific shot”. Our lead shark guide brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team and his passion and commitment is invaluable to enabling you to achieve your shots whilst interacting with the sharks. The additional option of the submersible cage also enables photographers to capture different angles and unusual perspectives. Alternatively, for film production we offer varying filming cages that have been used successfully in many documentaries. Get in touch to find out more.

Is the boat and crew certified by any reputable agency?

Our vessel is a United States Coast Guard inspected vessel. We comply with all safety requirements and maintain our vessel to strict federal standards. Our captains (at least 3 on every trip) all maintain proper licenses and our entire crew is STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers) certified and part of a USCG mandated random drug testing consortium. As a U.S. flagged vessel, we benefit from the United States Coast Guard’s network of safeguards including, but not limited to, emergency airlifts at sea. In an emergency situation these assets are only one call away making us one of the safest operations at Guadalupe Island.

Are the sharks respected and treated in the correct manner?

This is a topic that we feel very strongly about. When joining our operation you will see evidence of total respect for these graceful and beautiful animals. Under no circumstances are they, injured, harassed or made to perform for customer satisfaction. This is unethical and we believe that the great white shark is impressive enough without being made to behave unnaturally, thereby putting both the divers and the sharks at risk. We have unfortunately witnessed other operators making the sharks “entertain” customers and Shark Diving Xperts are completely against this practice.

What TV shows have I seen you on?

Since we have begun operating at Guadalupe Island we have been involved with a number of different TV shows. In 2012 we were used for logistics on the documentaries “Spawn of jaws” and “Sharks of the Mediterranean”. In 2014 we collaborated with the BBC for the white shark segment of the series “Shark” and from 2015 to 2019 we have been featured heavily on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. Featuring in documentaries such as  “Island of the mega shark,” the “Air jaws” franchise, the “Great white serial killer” franchise plus the acclaimed “Great white abyss” and “Legend of Deep Blue.”

Do you depart from and arrive back in San Diego?

Yes, once you board the vessel you will not set foot on land until you are back in San Diego. Unlike other operators who travel through Mexico to board in Ensenada we prefer to make it easier for you this way. We leave from San Diego, stop in Ensenada on the way for an immigration appointment (staying on the boat) then head off to Guadalupe Island before returning back to home.

What is a typical itinerary?

We get our guests to board the vessel around 7 – 9pm on the night of departure. After a friendly welcoming, we make our way down to Ensenada over night where we have a customs appointment scheduled for the morning. Guests do not have to do anything during this process, our crew take care of all the paperwork and soon after we depart Ensenada and begin to make our way to Guadalupe. This journey takes us around 22 – 24 hours so we travel over night and arrive at the Island the following morning. Along the way, guests are served fantastic food, relax, watch movies and keep an eye out for dolphins, whales and many other species of wildlife. Once at the Island we begin diving. We dive from around 7 – 4pm each day and then on the last day we begin our journey back. We check back out of Ensenada and arrive typically back in San Diego around 6 – 8pm on the final scheduled day.

What do you recommend bringing?

We supply the boat, the sharks and the memories but here are a few things that we recommend to bring along –

Completed booking paperwork, trip insurance, your own dive mask (if you have one), underwater camera, certification cards (if you have them), cap and woolly hat, sunglasses, jacket, sandals, swim shorts, hooded sweatshirt, sunscreen, towel, binoculars, toiletries, Books, batteries/chargers and don’t forget your passport!

Where can I stay the night before and after boarding?

If you are visiting San Diego for the first time we recommend staying at least one night either side of the shark adventure with us. The first morning pick up point is from Fisherman’s Landing in Point Loma, San Diego and there are many places to stay the area. We recommend the Holiday Inn, Point Loma as it does pick ups to and from the airport (which is only 5 mins away) as well as shuttles from the hotel to the landing (which is only 2 mins away). Over the past few years we have set up a successful partnership with the Holiday Inn and many of our guests will stay there. Alternatively, there are many other hotels/motels in and around the area not far from our pick up point.

Do you commit to great white shark conservation and research?

Shark Diving Xperts believe strongly in supporting shark conservation and research not just for great white sharks but all sharks worldwide. For the past 10 years, we have been leaders in scientific study and conservation efforts at Guadalupe Island. Many scientific findings originating from Guadalupe Island are as a direct result of our on site logistical and financial support. We work closely with graduate students from CICIMAR as well as the Island’s leading scientists and will continue our support into the future. For further information please see our shark research page.

Where and when do I board the boat?

The boat can be located at Fisherman’s Landing, Point Loma, San Diego. This is only 5 mins from the San Diego airport making it very easy to locate. There are a number of hotels/motels just a walk away so if you wanted to stay the night before and after the trip this is very easy to do. When you arrive at Fisherman’s Landing you can see the boat and there will be someone there to greet you. We recommend boarding the boat between 7 – 9pm the night of departure. The boat will be leaving at 10pm. This will give you time to settle in and get to meet everyone. Food and drinks will be served and we will have a welcoming for all guests during this time.

When is the best time of year to see sharks?

The sharks arrive at Guadalupe from late July till late December so we schedule our trips for right in the middle of the season so as to be there at the best time. We have never not had sharks on any day of any of our trips, however, there are slight variations to what you can see depending on when you come. In September we get fantastic hot weather and really good numbers of sharks (mostly males). As we go into mid to late October the weather cools and the numbers go down slightly. However, this is typically the time when the huge females turn up and it is not uncommon to see at least one or more 15 – 18 ft sharks during trips at this time of the year. Spectacular!