FAQs and ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Great White Shark Dive - Guadalupe Island

DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
You can board the boat the evening of November 15th at 8PM, for an early morning departure on the 16th.  We will return about 5PM on November 21.  However, in case of weather, please do not book your return flight earlier than 9PM. For those who are staying in San Diego the night of the 21st, we can plan optional activities for the 22nd, such as touring the DUI plant, a group lunch, etc. Please contact Kathleen at Optiquatics for more details.

DIVE DESTINATION
Guadalupe Island s a geologically amazing destination in very clear water (90-foot visibility on average.)! It lies 210 miles south of San Diego and 150 miles off the Baja Peninsula. Typically a 22 hour crossing. More on Guadalupe Island

SHARK CAGES
Two, 3 person cages (cages are designed for 4 persons, but we will only be putting in 3 divers at a time) are suspended on the surface, tethered to the stern of the boat. They are deployed early morning and retrieved before dark. Weather permitting the boat is anchored at one location and remains there for the entire trip as long as the sharks cooperate. Chumming is continuous throughout the day. One half of all divers onboard should be in the water at any one time when sharks are present. When sharks are not present you may spend time in the cages on shark watch, as not all sharks are visible from the surface. Shark watch is on a first come first serve basis.

Are white sharks sightings are not guaranteed. There are many things that are in our control, but Mother Nature and her children are not in that scope. Sorry, you do not receive a refund if sharks are not sighted.

DIVING ABILITY 
This destination requires an upper intermediate to advanced diver skill level.. This is a very unique dive experience. You will get to see animals that most divers don't normally come in contact with. To ensure your enjoyment and comfort you need to be prepared both mentally and physically. We only require that divers be open water certified, but ommon sense should dictate that you have a number of dives under your belt with this type of equipment before attempting the trip. You should be competent with the gear used for diving the California coast. Remember we will be offshore and can't come back until the end of the trip

WEATHER
Some crossings are beautiful and calm, while others are not. When traveling on the ocean one should take all the precautions necessary to ensure a comfortable journey. The Island is generally warm (mid 70’s) during the day and cool (low 60’s to upper 50’s) at night.

PASSPORT

You will NOT need a passport

.WHAT TO BRING

-- DIVE EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

• WETSUIT/DRYSUIT: You could spend a lot of time in the water in the cages. The water temperature is generally 64-70 degrees, but you will not be moving much while in the water. A 7mm wetsuit is the minimum recommended. Dry suits are not out of the question (let us know if you need one!). Bring a hood or hooded vest, gloves and booties as well
• REGULATOR / BOUYANCY COMPENSATOR / WEIGHTS: You will not need to bring them. While in the cage your air will be provided via a hookah line. Simply put, a regulator will be attached to a hose which is connected to the air system onboard the boat.
• You will wear 40-50 pounds of weight, which will be provided by the boat. The weight keeps your feet firmly planted on the bottom of the cage. The dive boat will provide 80 cu ft. aluminum tanks, weight belts, and weights. You will be negatively buoyant at the surface.
• You will not need a buoyancy compensator.
• MASK / FINS / SNORKEL: Bring your mask. Fins and snorkel are not needed.

-- PERSONAL ITEMS

•  Each diver or passenger should provide his/her own personal items/toiletries for their trip (i.e., towels, bathing suits, comb, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen etc.) 

•  Pillow (w/ pillowcase), sheets and blankets ARE provided. 

• Each head (there are two) contains a shower with a Hair and Body Shampoo dispenser for your convenience. 

•  Paper towel and toilet paper dispensers are also provided in each head for your convenience. 

• You are also responsible for your own medication including seasickness, sinus, etc.  However, the HORIZON does maintain a supply of aspirin/ibuprofen and has a fully stocked first-aid kit in case of emergencies. The evenings may be cool so bring windbreaker or warm jacket or sweater for evening. 

• Don’t forget:

•   Sun protection.  Suntan lotion

•   Motion sickness preventative (bonine, marezine) if you think you might have a problem.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES
ICE CHESTS AND COOLERS WITH FOOD OR DRINK ARE NOT ALLOWED.  DO NOT BRING ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITH YOU.  All trips include meals, coffee, tea, soft drinks, fresh fruit & snacks. beer, wine & bottled water are extra and are paid for at the end of the trip.  For passengers with special diets (i.e., vegetarian) please be sure to inform Optiquatics when booking your trip.  In most cases, with proper notice, the HORIZON can accommodate your dietary needs.

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is the focus for this trip. We feature on-board E-6 processing, Kodak's new Elite Chrome film, use of Sea & cameras (and accessories) Ultralight arms, Light & Motion housings, other name brand u/w SLR & digital photo equipment, scanners, computers, software for photo & video editing, CD burner, video player, light tables, etc.  We also will be conducting daily “hands-on” photography workshops by expert photographers.

The HORIZON provides two fresh water rinse buckets, a camera storage area, plenty of AC outlets, a TV and VCR (to view u/w videos) in the galley. The tables in the galley will be used during the workshops and for working on camera equipment, mounting/viewing slides, laptops, scanners, etc. Film that goes though the E-6 processing will be dried below decks and returned to their owners in the galley where they can be mounted, viewed and critiqued.  During your diving day, your camera equipment can be placed in the camera storage area.  The crew will hand the camera to you after you get in the water and take it from you at the swim-step when you return.

FISHING LICENSES AND GAME TAKING
We do not plan on taking game on this trip.  If you plan to take game, please be sure you have both a current California Saltwater Fishing License with an Ocean Enhancement Stamp.  All divers/passengers who take game are responsible for adhering to California Department of Fish and Game laws.  Each diver/passenger is responsible for all game he/she takes, including the legal size, possession limits and applicable season dates.  Neither Optiquatics, nor the HORIZON, will be responsible if you are caught and fined for taking illegal game.

ACCOMMODATIONS
The HORIZON features eight semi-private carpeted cabins, in two air-conditioned bunkrooms.  Each cabin can accommodate two to four persons. Upon confirmation of your reservation, you will be assigned a bunk.  Sleeping accommodations are in single and double bunks with each bunk having a privacy curtain, an individual light, a pillow, sheets and blankets.   Passengers are welcome to bring a sleeping bag or extra pillows/blankets for their comfort. In order to keep the bunkroom dry and comfortable, no wet bathing suits, wetsuits or wet dive equipment is permitted in the bunkroom.

Although doubles are normally for two people, couples wishing to share a bunk, these limited load trips will allow us to be flexible with our bunk assignments.  (Bunks on the HORIZON can normally accommodate up to 31 people.  On these trips we will limit the number of paying passengers to 16).  However, particular bunk requests are honored on a first paid, first served basis whenever possible.   Bunk assignments will be posted in the galley of the HORIZON above the sign in sheets. 

DIRECTIONS TO THE BOAT
The dive boat HORIZON is located  at “Fisherman’s Landing” in San Diego Bay (Shelter Island area) ten minutes from San Diego Lindbergh International airport. 

2803 Emerson St., San Diego, California 92106 (619) 222 - 1144

If you are coming by car, take I-5 South or I-8 West to Rosecrans.  Follow Rosecrans 3.5 miles to The Jack in the Box at Emerson Street, turn left, go 1.5 blocks and Emerson dead ends right into the bay.  The H&M Landing office will be on your left.  If you are coming north on I-5 take the Hawthorn exit to Harbor Drive, turn right on Harbor, follow Harbor to Scott Street.  Turn left and follow Scott to Emerson.  Adjacent parking available for $2.00 per 24 hrs. with validation. If the lot is full you can park at the overflow lot on Harbor Drive. (validation is not needed for that lot)