|
Dive with Great Whites Aboard the Solmar V
(Available for divers and non-divers)
September, 2010
$ 4000
I splash into the water and make my way through the opening of the cage that I hope will protect me. I watch the bloody trails of chum as it is broadcast out and sinks to the depths. In the distance I sense a dark foreboding. I strain to see. Is it there? A shadow? Circling? Cue the music bah dah, Bah Dah, BAH DAH! It materializes, accelerates towards me! A Great White! I think, “Does this one have a name?” I can’t tell. All I see is a one ton missile of muscle tipped with razor sharp teeth. I push the camera lens between the bars of the cage and start shooting. He approaches mouth menacingly agape. He hits the cage. There’s a metallic ring and a shudder. I lose my balance, fall back and drop the camera. He turns sideways trying to force his way between the bars. “And like that - poof. He's gone.”
If sharks are your game then Isla Guadalupe is Your place! Located 210 miles SW of San Diego and 165 miles West of Ensenada, it is a forbidding collection of cinder cones, ridges and dramatic off shore rocks. This island provides one of a few Great White pick up bars in the oceans. Large numbers of Northern Elephant Seal, California Sea Lion and Stellar Sea Lion draw the White’s in for hors d'oeuvres. Thus providing divers with action, up close and personal!
The Solmar V has been spoiling divers in Mexican waters for 17 years. A high standard of service is maintained and owners Jose Luis and Leslie Sanchez personally oversee boat operations. The Solmar V is a 112’ luxury live-aboard dive vessel. The main cabin is appointed with polished mahogany and etched glass (very classy). Below decks are 12 double staterooms each with shower, head and DVD player. For a smooth ride this steel hulled vessel is fitted with stabilizers. On deck there is storage for each diver’s gear and a camera table with 110/220VAC charging stations. A 21 ft Achilles inflatable is available. The crew does the heavy lifting all we have to do is enjoy.
Based in Ensenada, Mexico Solmar V follows the ultimate apex predator out to Guadalupe Island. This has become the world's best location for cage diving with Great White Sharks. Because hookah rigs are available on these trips, you do not need to be a certified scuba diver to enjoy the rush of going eyeball to eyeball with great whites on their own turf.
For these trips, passengers are limited to 16. This "limited load" trip provides for a quality experience by maximizing cage time and onboard comfort. Two four-man cages, hook to the swim platform making for easy and safe cage entries and exits, even in rough weather. Having only 16 passengers and two four-man cages allows rotation of 8 guests in and out every hour, all day long.
An additional submersible cage allows certified divers to descend a little further into the realm of the great white shark. This cage is lowered to 30', providing a completely different perspective to your great white shark encounter. A safety diver escorts one diver at a time on 20 minute rotations. All certified divers who wish can experience the submersible cage as many times as conditions allow. The view offered by the submersible cage is a photographer’s dream. You are actually surrounded on all sides by these magnificent creatures in clear blue water
During surface intervals, Geronimo the onboard amateur naturalist leads “panga rides” around the island for up close views of the seal populations, birds and other creatures unique to this area. This is a great photo op.
Cost includes: airfare, transfers, boat charter (4 nights/5days with 3 full days of cage diving), air fills and all meals on board. Not included are crew tips.
|
