Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Guadalupe
August through October.
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For our Guadalupe Island Great White Shark trips, you will fly in and out of San Diego, California (airline code SAN) and we will provide transportation to and from Ensenada, Mexico, where vessel is stationed for these trips.
You are required to have a valid passport for travel in and out of Mexico. You will be asked to fill out a tourist card upon entering the country and present this to the immigration officials in Mexico. For other nationalities, you should ask your airline or call the Mexican Consulate in your country. With so many recent changes to travel policies and requirements, these requirements are subject to change so check before you begin your travel plans. For our Guadalupe Trips, you will arrive in San Diego, California and then escorted by our staff in an air-conditioned coach to Ensenada, Mexico via Tijuana. Our staff will assist you with your tourist visa when crossing at the border in Tijuana but you must have a valid passport in your possession.
Upon reservation confirmation, we will send you a pre-trip information sheet. For our Guadalupe Island adventures you will be arriving into San Diego, California we highly recommend one night prior to the trip departure date. This will be at your expense but we do have a special rate arranged with the Hampton Inn downtown San Diego which includes breakfast and internet. All guests should either stay at this hotel or make sure they are at the Hampton Inn by 10 a.m. the day of departure as this is the one and only pick up point for ALL Guadalupe Island departures. That morning a representative will meet all guests and provide orientation and transportation to the vessel in Ensenada, Mexico.
We highly recommend arriving one day prior to departure and travel insurance should be seriously considered as we do not refund for bad weather. For these reasons, we strongly recommend travel insurance, so here are three links where this insurance can be purchased: www.DiversAlertNetwork.org
On all live-aboard dive trips, packed clothing should be kept to a minimum as cabin space is usually limited. You will be in your swimsuit most of the trip and shorts and t-shirts are the common dress. We ask that you appear at all meals in dry clothes, as all meals are sit-down in the main salon. At Guadalupe, daytime temps will be in the 70’s or 80’s and we can have cooler evenings here so one pair of sweat pants, and a sweatshirt or sweater is a good idea. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.
For the Guadalupe Island trips, you will be breathing from a surface supplied air source or hookah and need only bring wetsuit, booties, gloves, hood and mask. You will not need fins or a BCD or a regulator so packing is easy for this trip! Since you will not be using SCUBA, you do not need a SCUBA certification to join our Guadalupe Island trips so invite your family and friends! If you are a certified diver bring your certification card and have the option to dive the submersible cage. If you need gear here is some of our recommendations.
The water temp averages 65F-70F so be sure to pack your gloves, hood and booties plus either a 7mm full wetsuit or a drysuit. Guests rotate in and out of the shark cages every hour and you are not swimming at all so you might get chilly and should plan accordingly.
We must be doing something right because we get consistent rave reviews for the gourmet cuisine on board. Our menus vary and feature a combination of American and Mexican cuisine, using fresh, locally grown ingredients as much as possible. We offer a variety of cooked-to-order choices for breakfast and you can always count on fresh tropical fruit platters, icy cold fruit juice, yogurt, pastries, an assortment of cereals, teas and fresh-brewed and very strong, Mexican-style coffee. The vessel is one of the few luxury live-aboards that serves a three-course meal for lunch. Our meals always begin with a fresh, homemade soup (our chef, Tony, is famous for his soups!), followed by a main course and then a delicious dessert. After an afternoon snack and cocktails (watch out for the margaritas!), you’ll be ready for your relaxing dinner aboard. We begin with a fresh salad, then either chicken or fresh fish or beef, always a fresh vegetable or two followed by another decadent dessert. All beverages, including beer and wine with your meals, are included. Our chef prepares delicious snacks in the mornings and afternoons and especially takes pride in his fresh, Mexican-style hot chocolate. We always have available fresh fruit, cold fruit juices, sodas, fresh-brewed coffee, and both hot tea and iced tea. We can easily accommodate any special requests such as food allergies, a vegetarian menu, heavy on the fresh salads, etc if you inform us of your needs at least two weeks before your trip. We understand that a live aboard experience is eat-sleep-and-dive and we do our very best to ensure that each of these experiences is memorable for you.
Although we discourage smoking for reasons we’re all aware of at this point, we understand that some guests are still wrestling with it, so we allow smoking on the sundeck only. We ask that our smoking guests be considerate of our non-smoking guests. You’re outnumbered!
Includes all port fees and fuel surcharges in the price of your trip. However, each guest will be responsible for a $15 national park entry fee. We also sell t-shirts, caps and other mementos onboard and of course, our crew works hard for and greatly appreciates your tips which also must be paid in cash.
While we feel that tipping is a very personal decision and should reflect the service you received, we are always asked to give tipping guidelines. In general, we suggest a tip of 10-15% of the cost of your boat trip. The tips are given to the captain and divided evenly among the crew at the end of your trip. We ask that your tips be in cash or traveller’s checks, we accept no credit cards or personal checks on board.
NO, WE DO NOT. Once on board the boat, you are welcome to pay for your extras and the crew tip in cash or travelers checks. We accept no credit cards or personal checks on board at this time.
Onboard voltage is 110 AC, just like in the United States. We also have a number of 220 charging stations for our overseas guests.
The crossing from Ensenada, Mexico to Guadalupe Island is around 16-18 hours.
The vessel communicates twice daily with either our Mexican home base or U.S. Office by Satellite Phone. Although we discourage conducting business while out on your expedition, we realize that sometimes it is necessary to communicate with your office or home. Guests are welcome to use our phone system and will be assisted by our captain. Your call will be charged at Satellite minute rates ranging from $4 – $5 U.S. dollars per minute. Remember our phone and email system is primarily for boat operations and emergency use. We encourage our guests to detach and enjoy this adventure of a lifetime by leaving your worries at home.
Included in the price of your Guadalupe trip are all port fees, fuel surcharges and National Park fees. Also included are your accommodations, all meals and snacks, all beverages including beer and wine. Since this trip is done entirely from inside our custom shark cages using surface supplied air, you only need to bring a full 6-7mm wetsuit (including hood, booties and gloves) and a mask – all else is included onboard.
Our crew is our strength and we consider them all family. The crew has worked together for many, many years and each crew member contributes something unique and necessary to your trip. We have a permanent crew of 10 that consists of captain, engineer, chef, cabin steward, 3 divemasters and 3 pangeros/ deckhands. We are exceptionally proud of the hardworking, talented and seamless crew on board and we can assure you that their team effort will provide you with the most excellent service anywhere.
FAQ Monterey
Whale watching season in Monterey Bay? In Monterey Bay, whale watching is a year-round delight! With a remarkable 98% chance of spotting these majestic creatures any month of the year, you’re in for a treat whenever you visit. Typically, humpback whales grace the bay with their presence from March through December, while the migration of gray whales takes center stage from December to May. For encounters with the magnificent blue whales, July and August tend to offer the best opportunities, although sightings may vary annually. Additionally, sightings of killer whales (orcas) and various species of dolphins are possible throughout the year, adding to the excitement of your marine adventure.
There is no consistent best time of day to go whale watching, However, it is easier for the captain to spot the whales and dolphin when the weather is calmest, and that typically occurs in the morning hours. Anytime of the year, there is always something going on in Monterey
Monterey Bay is renowned for its rich marine life, including several species of whales that frequent its waters. The most commonly sighted whales during Monterey Bay whale watching tours include:
Humpback Whales: Humpbacks are often seen breaching and displaying acrobatic behaviors, making them a favorite among whale watchers. They visit Monterey Bay year around but primarily during their migration seasons, which typically occur in spring and fall.
Blue Whales: The blue whale, the largest animal on Earth, can also be spotted in Monterey Bay, particularly during the summer months when they come to feed on abundant krill populations.
Gray Whales: During their annual migration from their breeding grounds in Mexico to their feeding grounds in Alaska, gray whales pass through Monterey Bay. This migration occurs primarily in winter and spring.
Killer Whales (Orcas): While less common than some other species, orcas are occasionally spotted in Monterey Bay. They are known to prey on other marine mammals and may be seen hunting whales, seals or dolphins.
Fin Whales: Fin whales, the second-largest whale species, are sometimes observed in Monterey Bay during their migrations along the California coast. They are known for their distinctive appearance and relatively fast swimming speeds.
Minke Whales: Minke whales are the smallest baleen whales and are occasionally seen in Monterey Bay. They can be elusive and are often identified by their small size and pointed dorsal fins.
Because our boats travel at 20 plus miles per hour, there is a wind factor that can bring a chill. We have always said, “dress like you are going to the snow in layers”. Monterey weather can feel much cooler when on the water. We have spray proof jackets and pants for guest to wear over their clothes if needed.
We abide by all marine mammal protection laws and maintain a safe distance from whales. But, whales have fins and know how to use them, and often change course to approach the boat as close as they want. Dolphins regularly seek out our boat to ride our bow wave and wake. We are extremely mindful of the animals and do not approach too closely, follow them from behind or cut in front of their path. Close encounters with the animals must be on their terms, not ours.
Our boat is inspected yearly by the U.S. Coast Guard. We carry all the necessary items required by the Coast Guard to insure your safety: Life Floats, Life Jackets, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, flares, etc.
Please visit the bathroom before you get onto the boat. There are no bathrooms onboard and the trip last 3 hours. Also please remember to pay for parking.
While Whale watching on Monterey Bay, we often encounter whales, porpoises, dolphin, seals, otters and many other varieties of marine mammals and sea birds. Guests are in a unique position to view a lot of different wildlife. Don’t expect to see anyone thing, but expect to have a good time seeing lots of different wildlife. Every day is different.
The minimum age for a Monterey Ocean Safari trip is 13+ years old. Private trips are available for families with younger children. All Guests must be in reasonably good health and able to step down into and step up out of the vessel to and from the dock. Those with back injuries and women that are pregnant should consider one of the larger Whale-Watching boats. Contact us for details.
Our boat is equipped with soft cushion with a backrest but even so, if you are pregnant, have a weak back or neck, or if you don’t like going fast over the water, you should not go. If you have concerns please consider booking with one of the larger vessels in Monterey bay.
The Santa Cruz dock is wheelchair and walker accessible, but one must be able to step down into the boat and sit in the seat for the tour duration. If you and your companions think you can negotiate the boarding and seats, please contact us to discuss trying a calm day tour. We like to help people experience the ocean who cannot negotiate steps onto larger boats. Please use your own judgment about your abilities and respect that the Captain has final call on all safety issues. Call us so that we tell you more about this
If you have experienced sea sickness before, it was most likely on a large boat slowly pitching and rolling on the waves. during our Ocean Safari it is the opposite, we move fast, we are lower to the water and in the open air. Most likely you will be having too much fun to think about it. Over the counter medications or a prescription is recommended if you don’t know or are prone to sea sickness. But if you have ever experienced motion or sea sickness this may not be the trip for you.
If your trip is delayed or cancelled due to weather, we will reschedule.. If a reschedule is not possible, our team will provide a gift certificate for future use or reimbursement the cost of the tour.
All cancellations must be in writing. If you cancel your trip more than 48 hours prior to the trip date, you will be refunded all but an administration fee. Refunds cannot be given if you cancel within 48 hours.
Yes, Private charters are available for up to 6 guests. Call us at 510-520-7331 for special pricing and availability.
Yes, we have GoPros and Nikon DSLRs for rent. Reserve one for your trip when you make your reservation.
The short answer is, “No.” When working with wild animals in their natural environment, it is impossible to guarantee the desired animal encounters. We will try to find White Sharks on the coast each day, while we expect them to be there poor visibility may not permit us to see them.
If there is something we haven’t covered here, please feel free to call us at 510-520-7331.
