Great White Sharks of Guadalupe -- October 2009

I just returned from a great trip to Guadalupe aboard the Nautilus Explorer (www.nautilusexplorer.com). We had really great luck with the sharks and the submersible cages made for some really great shots. Here are some images from the trip:

More images can be found here:

http://debersole.com/layout/0001/gallery_view.cfm?g=151

Great shots!

Nice. Very nice!

I love the last one - great expression.

Nice! Looking at that third pic, don't you want to just reach out and scratch it on the chin?

I just returned from a great trip to Guadalupe aboard the Nautilus Explorer (www.nautilusexplorer.com). We had really great luck with the sharks and the submersible cages made for some really great shots. Here are some images from the trip:

Wow! Looks like a great time. But ...

with 4 other people in the cage, could you move to get shots? How many cages? Sure looks like a lot of people on the boat. Did you get some decent U/W time?

You did get some great images!

Great shots! From the gallery I like some of the pictures of a cage and great white from a distance. Gives a good idea what was going on down there.

Why are the sharks biteing the cage on shome images? Trying it out?

Bob:

There were about 25 of us on the trip. The Nautilus has four cages, two 4-man surface cages and two subermersible cages (one 2-man and one 4-man) which drop to 40 fsw. There were rotations through the submersibles with everyone getting about three 45 minute rotations per day. The surface cages were first-come, first-serve. It became apparent really quickly that the sharks we had were mainly interested in the submersibles which is where all of my photos were taken. Occasionally, someone wouldn't show up for their rotation and you could get in some extra time in one of the submerisbles as well.

Doug

Lovely shots!

Hey Doug,

Nice shots! #1 is great

Definitely a fun trip.

Todd

Bob:

 

There were about 25 of us on the trip. The Nautilus has four cages, two 4-man surface cages and two subermersible cages (one 2-man and one 4-man) which drop to 40 fsw. There were rotations through the submersibles with everyone getting about three 45 minute rotations per day. The surface cages were first-come, first-serve. It became apparent really quickly that the sharks we had were mainly interested in the submersibles which is where all of my photos were taken. Occasionally, someone wouldn't show up for their rotation and you could get in some extra time in one of the submerisbles as well.

 

Doug

Thanks so much Doug. I suppose that's enough, but I'd want more!

I can't find a pic of the submersible on their site. Are they just cages that are below the surface open so that you still shoot with an U/W housing?

The YouTube videos are great too.

Todd -- Great to meet you on the trip. Hope to get a chance to dive with you again soon!

Bob -- the submersibles are a two-man and four-man cage with LONG hookah rigs and ballasts that are controlled by a divemaster to raise and lower them. Otherwise they look just like the other cages.

Great shots Doug! Love them!! Out of interest, does your air go down pretty quick in that scenario!?

It's all surface supplied so even if you become an "air-hog" from the excitement of the sharks, no one will ever know!

Ahh you must have been on the same trip with Andy, Kelly and Cyrinda. I heard that some rotations got great encounters. Looks like a fun trip. Love the mouth on the cage that would be close. LOL

Cheers

Todd

wow...."Great wild shots" also......

Todd -- Yeah, I was on the trip with Andy, etc. For some reason, our rotation (me, Andy, Mark Strickland, Todd Winner, Kal Attie, and Don Carpenter) seemed to have the best luck of the trip with multiple "close encounters". I think Andy is just a good luck charm. After all, last month he had orcas in 80+ degree water with > 100 foot viz in Yap. How many of us get that lucky?

Doug