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Kids getting in the water with Great white sharks at Guadalupe Island 2010

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Jordan Glenn, age 13: Shark Diver

“Last year, when I was just starting seventh grade, my friends asked my why I didn’t go on my school’s overnight trip to Camp Mason. They wanted to know where I’d been all week. When I told them I was diving with great white sharks, they started laughing. At first, they didn’t believe me.”

On Earth Day, 2009, Jordan Glenn wrote an essay about white sharks. His grandmother had told him about an international contest for kids run by the folks on the Nautilus Explorer, a diving adventure outfit. The winner would get to go on a weeklong boating expedition off Guadalupe Island, Mexico that included cage diving to observe Great White Sharks. Jordan won the contest, and so in early September 2009, he, his younger brother Gordon, and his grandmother (a veteran diver) took off on their adventure.

How He Prepared

Jordan says there wasn’t that much training involved in the cage diving.  “We had to wear regulators to breath, and they taught us how to do that.  But otherwise, they just told us not to put our hands outside the cage.  Which was pretty much common sense.” He had read some books about sharks and done some research in order to write his essay, and learned some “interesting stuff. When you pet a shark from head to tail, it’s smooth,” he told us. “But if you rub him in the opposite direction, it feels like sharp teeth cutting into your hand.” (This was a fact that he discovered reading; there was no shark petting on the voyage.)

In addition to seeing lots of sharks, the expedition also spent time snorkeling with sealions and elephant seals at San Benitos Island and kayaking in the giant kelp forests there . “I was so crazy about sharks to start off with,” says Jordan, “but I  love the ocean. When I heard about this contest, it seemed like a once in a lifetime experience. So I went for it.  The guys on the Nautilus Explorer were just amazing in what they showed me.”

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Posted in Animals, Destinations, Elephant Seals, Great White Shark, Guadalupe Island, mexico, Nautilus Explorer, sealions, shark | No Comments »

One of our most pleasant transits in memory. The sea is smooth as silk. Captain and guest blog. November 5, 2010

Saturday, November 6th, 2010

After a very successful final day of diving with the white sharks of Isla Guadalupe, we gave 1 long blast on the ships whistle in farewell and set a course for Islas San Benitos Island and her untouched kelp forests.

We have been to San Benitos several times throughout this season, and last season as well, and have experienced some amazing diving there. Some of the most healthy, beautiful kelp forests you can find anywhere, teeming with california sea lions, guadalupe fur seals, and the occasional harbour seal.  Northern elephant seals can also be seen along some of the beaches. Bat Rays, horn sharks, yellow-tail, abalone, and lobsters also make their home there. From Guadalupe it is a 16 hour overnight run to reach San Benitos, and in the morning before reaching the islands we could feel the swell building and getting quite large, as Captain Mike had warned of us.  He watches the weather models like a hawk when he is shoreside. .

On arrival we could see the big, long swell building even more as it reached the shoal water of the west island, slowly being pushed up by the shallows even a couple of miles offshore, then racing in towards the island before cresting and crashing down in a mess of white water. It was a very impressive sight. Unfortunately for us these big left over waves from some far off weather system were not kind to the dive conditions at Benitos. We could see immediately that the water was quite green, and in closer to land, where our divesites are, the visibility was reduced to around 2-3 meters (10 feet). The big swell was also hard to escape, with a wraparound effect even in the sheltered bay the swell was felt quite significantly. Everyone still got a dive or two in, but with conditions as they were it was a little disappointing. That being said, as I asked the last diver of the day to come up, ’how was your dive?’, he answered that is was really great! So, I guess it’s all your perspective on things.

We had planned on diving two days at San Benitos, but decided to cut it short after the first day and start heading straight for the Socorro Islands. It is a 600 nautical mile journey from San Benitos to San Benedicto, Socorro, which will take 3 nights and 2 1/2 days to complete. As of writing this log we have been underway for 27 hours, and it has been one of the most pleasant transits in memory. All day today the sea was as smooth as silk, with not even a breeze for the majority of the day. The swell is long and low, creating a very smooth, undulating vista as far as the eye can see. The vessel movement is minimal and what movement we do feel is gentle, slow and relaxing. Just before lunch today we came across a pod of Risso’s dolphins. These greyish-white dolphins are rarely seen (it is my first time ever seeing one),  and have a very high, distinctive dorsal fin. We spent 20 minutes cruising slowly with the pod of roughly 30 animals, watching them tail-slapping, breaching and spy-hopping to sneak a peak at the big white boat.

This evening we enjoyed a gorgeous sunset, not a cloud in the sky, not a ripple on the water. Just the orange glow of the sun against the smooth, light blue of the pacific ocean. A beautiful transit so far and expecting (hoping) for more of the same tomorrow.

Captain Gordon Kipp

Weather conditions: winds light/nil, sea height 6-10 ft with a period of 17-18 seconds, skies clear, air temp 25C

9. Tag 04.11.2010, Tagebuch Nautilus Explorer, Repositioning Trip Pazifik

2010

Auf Grund von schlechten Sichtweiten vor San Benito entschloss sich die

Gruppe nach dem ersten Tauchtag abzubrechen und auf direktem Weg nach

Socorro zu fahren. Ja nach Strömung und Wetter werden wir die 600 Seemeilen

in ca. 55 Stunden zurücklegen.

Der Tag heute an Bord war sehr entspannt. Viele bearbeiteten ihre Bilder,

manche zogen sich mit einem Buch in ihre Kabine zurück. Andere genossen ein

Sonnenbad oder entspannten sich bei angenehmen Gesprächen. Gegen Mittag

sichteten wir eine Schule von Risso´s Delphinen (Rundkopfdelphine), ein

fotografisches Highlight. Niemand von uns hatte je vorher diese Art von

Delphinen gesehen. Eine volle halbe Stunden kurvten wir mit der Nautilus um

die Delphingruppe herum, einfach herrlich! Mal schauen, ob wir morgen

tagsüber auf unserem Weg nach Socorro wieder so ein Glück haben werden.

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Posted in Animals, California Sealions, Captains Log, Destinations, dolphin, Elephant Seals, Guadalupe fur seals, Guadalupe Island, Guest Blog, kelp, Nautilus Explorer, San Benedicto, San Benitos, Socorro | No Comments »

Guest Blog – November 2010

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

A large female great white shark ensured I wouldn’t be getting my glove back!!     Guest blog  -  Guadalupe Island, Baja California, Mexico..

Myles from Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada. – The trip has ended and I can safely say all of my expectations and quite a few of my wildest dreams have been met and exceeded. Thanks go out to the crew of the Nautilus Explorer, I look forward to many for future adventures on your fine boat.

Steven and Gretchen from Santa Barbara – This was trip #5 on the Nautilus Explorer (#2 to Guadalupe).  As usual, everything went perfectly.  The staff was great. The weather was beautiful, and the Sharks were hot.
Chris from Folsom California- I am so impressed with this boat and crew. Already planning my next trip to Socorro. Todays highlights included 4 successful dives with white sharks on all 4. One dive we were rewarded with a male and female taking turns as they brushed by our cage close enough to reach out and touch them. Holding my camera tightly prevented me from doing somthing I shouldn’t. I would definitely repeat this trip next year.

Tony from New York – Second trip to Guadalupe and first on the Nautilus Explorer; would recommend that anyone coming to Guadalupe take the Nautilus.  The first day started out slowly, with wind and waves making the sharks scarce, but crew and fellow divers made for a great start nonetheless.  The sharking picked up the next two days, with Lucy giving everyone a show on the second day and multiple large females showing up on the final day.  All in all a great trip with a great bunch of people.  Looking forward to seeing everyone’s pictures later tonight.

Josh and Sara from San Diego – Our first trip on the Nautilus Explorer has been incredible. It has met/exceeded all that we thought it would be. The first day of diving was a bit slow but when one of our gloves got blown into the water it made for some exciting pictures. One of the larger females came up and saw to that we wouldn’t be getting it back, crazy stuff!   Every other day was full of sharks, and every trip into the cage resulted in some amazing pictures.  I highly recommend the Nautilus Explorer, a fine ship, and a great crew! Thanks everyone!

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Posted in Destinations, Great White Shark, Guadalupe Island, Guest Blog, Nautilus Explorer, shark | No Comments »

Big Mamma finally came in and said hello and Good bye last trip of the season. Heute Morgen war das Meer endlich ganz glatt. Guest and Captain’s Log 02 NOV 2010

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

This last visit at Guadalupe Island was honestly the worst and the best trip I did this season. Our first dive day was ok with great white sharks present most dives but  also some dives was without shark.   We got used to seeing sharks on every dive for most of the season. Day two was really poor and it was very bumpy rides in the cages, the waves came unusually in from the northeast instead of northwest. So we got rollers straight in to us.  that’s the problem with diving Guadalupe in November.   It was flat calm for most of the season and August and September are always best. Just a small male we saw the first day and in the end of the day a huge female that we still have not identified, but that was it.


Our last day started well with Shredder making a show, then it was slow again even if the weather conditions where right and much calmer then yesterday.
Our last two dives were just crazy! It started up with that huge female so big around her girth that she almost looks unreal. One of the biggest ones I’ve seen this year. In the last dives there are two females and one male, and they are coming from all different directions above, under from the sides and close in to the cage all three of them really checking us out!! Just inches from the bar. The most intense dive of the season and the last dive this season like a big firework of white sharks! That’s how big animal diving is. Sometimes nothing and then suddenly you see all at the same time. I seen it so  many times , when you wait and wait and start to get bored , cold and then this full action and it is just like woooooow!!!Did you seeee that!!!

This is what you get to be patient and not giving up hope!!


We have lifted anchor and are sailing south east to San Benito islands, so tomorrow we go kelp diving!

Surface conditions: First days wavy, Last day calm and sunny Temp 25 C

Underwater conditions: The first day 90 ft second 50 ft cause of the waves. 3 day 120 ft and temp 18 C 59F
Dive guide
Sten

7. Tag 02.11.2010, Tagebuch Nautilus Explorer, Repositioning Trip Pazifik 2010

Heute Morgen war das Meer endlich ganz glatt. Um 08:00 Uhr sind einige von uns zu einer kleinen Küstenfahrt aufgebrochen, um diverse Robben (Guadalupe-Fellrobben, See-Elefanten) zu beobachten. Auf dem Weg dahin sind wir an Mauricio`s Hütte ( ein mexikanischer Haiforscher, der jedes Jahr 4-5 Monate lang die Haie vor Ort beobachtet und markiert) und einer halb verfallener Kirche vorbeigefahren. Unterwegs hörten wir schon die jungen Robben schreien, wir konnten sie in ihrem “Kindergarten” beobachten—wunderbar!

Wir kamen pünktlich für den Käfigtauchgang zurück, die ersten Taucher wurde lange von Shredder ( einem Männchen) begleitet, dieses Glück hatten wir dann auch. Mittags tauchte dann die Big Mama auf, die gestern auch schon mittags ums Boot herumgeschwommen ist. Sie ist während des gesamten Tauchganges um den Käfig herumgeschwommen, sehr nah, gut zu beobachten. Plötzlich tauchte eine Schildkröte auf und da ich diese Tierchen sehr mag, quiekte ich sehr, um Big Mama daran zu hindern, sie zu fressen. das “Haichen” schwamm auch mehrfach sehr nah zu der Schildkröte hin, allerdings ohne zuzubeißen. Aber das Beste habe ich dann beim letzten Tauchgang erlebt–die Gruppe davor hatte keinen Hai gesehen, aber dann sah man einen großen Hai schon vom Boot aus. Voller Erwartung stiegen wir in den Käfig, es war ja mein letzter Tauchgang mit den Haien. Kaum waren wir unten, kam Big Mama zurück und diesmal machte sie Ernst. Sie kam wie ein Torpedo aus der Tiefe zum Köder geschossen und biss direkt neben dem Käfig zu. Ich schrie nur noch–was für ein Erlebnis!!!
Hinterher  schwamm sie noch sehr nah um den Käfig herum, wir 4 “Insassen” hielten uns ganz brav in der Mitte des Käfigs auf. Sie war deutlich unruhiger als beim letzten Tauchgang, FRESSEN!!!FRESSEN!!!FRESSEN!!!
Und ziemlich am Ende des Tauchgangs tauchten dann nochmal ein “kleines” Weibchen und ein Männchen auf, zierlich im Vergleich zu Big Mama. Jetzt haben wir Guadalupe wieder verlassen, in Begleitung von 2 Delphinen. Der Kapitän hat nochmal kräftig getutet—Hasta la vista Guadalupe!!! (Christine Bülow) Germany , Dortmunt.

Hey Everyone
Well, it’s sad but white shark season is over for this year. My season ended on a very cool note,my buddy Shredder came by to say good-bye and he looked as impressive as ever. There was also a huge female (Maybe pregnant,not sure) Hopefully she is pregnant because I think we need a few more of these awesome animals in the world.The weather has been great today.

Out here Living the Dream
Larry  (Chief Engineer Nautilus Explorer)

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Posted in Animals, Captains Log, Destinations, Great White Shark | 1 Comment »

Virtually every excursion under water has been a visual cornucopia of white shark, yellow fin tuna, yellow tail and mackerel viewing. Crew and guest blog. October 27, 2010.

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

If you are planning a trip to dive with great white sharks and you have come across this website, your search is over. Welcome to the Nautilus Explorer!! We have had an EPIC experience that far exceeded our expectations. Virtually every excursion under water has been a visual cornucopia of white shark, yellow fin tuna, yellow tail and mackerel viewing. There are several cages that provide lots of time underwater at various depths, even if you are not a certified diver (like us) I can guarantee you will have a viewing experience comparable to your diving comrades. The crew has been absolutely top shelf, friendly, helpful, positive and fun, not to mention meeting lots of awesome new people who are as excited as we are to be here. Thanks Nautilus Explorer and the Great White Sharks of Guadalupe Island. Cheers.  Myles and Crystal from Slave Lake, Alberta.  Canada

Chris from Folsom,California Spent 45 minutes with Lucy She is a large female white shark that has been injured at some point in her past. She still gave me and my dive buddies quite a show today. Thanks Lucy! water temp 64F with visibility 50-80 feet.

Michael from Port Hedland, WA, Australia. Had a fantastic trip and couldnt have asked for anything more. Multiple sighting of great whites on most dives, it was really well schedualed, the crew were unbelievable and the other guest made the trip and unforgettable experience. Will be keeping in contact for sure and hope to have many more adventures with the crew and fellow divers.

Josh and Sara from San Diego, CA.  Had a fantastic time today, you’ll know the trip is great when every trip into the cage ends up with sharks. Staff couldn’t be friendlier or more helpful, absolutely great trip so far, could not ask for more!

We started off well with one frisky small 3.5 m male white shark that swam fast and made passings by the cages from below , from the right and the left, he changed his swimming pattern very often and was quick , a fun shark! While the day was going buy the wind as we knew by the forecast that we daily get sent from Captain Mike has been helping us several times not needing to get beaten up getting away in the worst.

We were helping other diving boats and even the envoirmental  governantal law enforsers that arrived on the island to suggest them to find shelter for this day.We knew it would get hard.

Because of this reason  captain Kevin decided to tuck in a bit extra closer to the Guadelupe island and get a good lenghts of chain out 5 shots wich each shot carries 90 ft plus just in case even if our anchor is really heavy with a heavy chain have a anchor watch through the night.

In the after noon it came up to wind gusts to 40 -45 knots of wind and made the water making vortex of seawater flying up in the sky , cause of the swinging we closed the deeper cages and continued through the day with the transom cages, though in the end it was just one stubborn Tony that remained in the cage, but the sharks went away, the Nautilus was swing back and forth and this weather normally makes the sharks  go away probably to deeper water. Nautilus still sat safe on its anchor. But around us was a bit of a mess. A company that just started here in Baja California that been coming out here for the first time this year got their anchor dragged off 3 times and where working hours out in the hard wind and we started to get worried for them and called them out if they needed any assistance. Their anchor winch had on top of that failed, but finally got it to work. And by the night they where finally anchored again. An other sailing boat a 35 ft went of in the middle of the hard wind we got a bit worried and try to call them to , but they just went away steering south east. A dear old guest on board that work as a coast guard said to me that boats like this in taking big risks in envoirment that they are not made for are called employment guarantee…;)

Finally the wind calmed a bit.

Next morning the 27th it was nice and calm , with a beautiful sunrise and blue sky. In the it was a bit foggy after the hard weather.

The same frisky male did some nice show and in the afternoon Lucy came in. Viz got better in towards the day , and even if it still was slow day it is getting better and better and tomorrow I hope we are back int o normal again!

Surface conditions. the 26th wind gusts to 40-45 knots secure in sheltered anchorage, blue sky with fast passing clouds. The 27th much better and very mild wind.

Underwater . Temp 64F 22C and viz from 30 -15m 100-50 ft. It is clearing up more and more.

Diveguide Sten

Hey Everyone

Once again I,m in sunny Mexico at Gaudalupe Island.The weather is perfect,the guests are having a great time and the crew is awesome as usual.Haven’t gotten into the water lately but that’s OK,there is lots of shark action on the surface.Very few boats around,the season is winding down.I’m going to miss the sharks a lot,especially Shredder my favorite Great White shark(had a face to face look at him my very first trip to Guadalupe).

Our ship is looking as good as ever with upgrades to equipment and amenities happening on an on going basis.

I’m really looking forward to the socorro season as this was the first area I dove in mexico.The wildlife is incredible and I really enjoy the big animal diving.

Have to go now.

Chief Engineer Larry

Its almost the end of the Guadalupe season so I took the opportunity to jump in the cages today,I was in the water for 20 min. and I saw a pretty big shark, everybody was saying that the shark was Lucy, a shark with a broken tail, I didn’t see the tail, because the shark was coming straight up,close to my cage……pretty amazing !!!!!!

We saw one shark but that was enough  to make my day…..

One more trip left,Hope to see Bruce!!!!!!…..

Hostess Silvia:)

All photos courtesy of John Brigham.

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Posted in Animals, Captains Log, Destinations, Great White Shark, Guadalupe Island, Guest Blog, mexico, Nautilus Explorer, Socorro | 2 Comments »

The seasons are changing at Isla Guadalupe. More clouds, showers, cooler weather. And the white sharks seem hungrier. Captain, dive guide and guest log. 24 October 2010.

Sunday, October 24th, 2010

The seasons are definitely changing at Isla Gaudalupe and I get to witness it first hand.  Its the subtle changes occurring that grab my attention – the faster moving clouds, the occasional shower, the cooler weather at night and a more rawness in the beauty of the island.  That, and the sharks just seem hungrier!  It adds up for some great action in the cages.  Shredder was back, and he sure seems bigger than the last time I saw him.  The beautiful large female ‘Scarborough’ was swimming about and a couple younger, smaller males appeared to be trying to ‘woo’ her!  Some spectacular underwater activity from the tuna, the bonitos and the sea lions mixing it up with the sharks had everyone in a great mood and made for some wonderful videography.  As always, the good time experienced is enhanced by the friendliness of the guests I meet and crew I live with. If this is my office – I’m a lucky guy!  Captain Kevin

The adrenaline pump was in overdrive again today: 2 big male (4 meter plus) great whites within reach bringing it on right in front of us. Add to that a few playful sea lions and hunting tuna (like bullets they are) and you got yourself yet another unforgettable day. Oh, and the apple crumble, cookies, hot cacao and more cookies when we came up were icing on the cake. (Bart and Kevin)

It’s 19:07, we have just left Guadalupe behind us and are on our way to Ensenada ETA tomorrow 12:30. I’m sitting in the lounge where the divers have taken up the couches, half of them have the eyes closed after an active 3 days, four dives a day, white sharks around about 70% of the time. The once that manage to keep the eyes open sit with laptops on their laps comparing the pictures they have shot of our under water friends.

What we do here is unique! You can go to the zoo and watch animals in cages, but here at Guadalupe you can get in a cage your self and observe animals in freedom. The cages are made out of aluminum and equipped with surface supplied air so you don’t need to have a tank on your back. There are backup tanks in the corners of the cage… Most enjoyable I find it to watch the sea lions play around the white sharks, even though those mammals are on the menu, it does not stop them from swimming right next to this well teethed preditor. Like young flexible scooter riders fast and gracious around a big truck.

The water is 21 Celsius / 65 Fahrenheit, most of us diving in 7mm wetsuits, hoods and gloves. When the sharks are around and active it is no exception for divers to stay under water for 3 hours and than when you get out…. there is hot chocolate a warm shower and a jacuzzi.

Jeroen Elout  Dive master on the Nautilus Explorer.

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Posted in Animals, Captains Log, Destinations, Ensenada, Great White Shark, Guadalupe Island, Guest Blog, Nautilus Explorer, sealions, Tuna | No Comments »

Stay tuned for a big announcement and giveaway when when we should hit 10,000 “likes” (fans).. Blogs will resume 02 NOV after the giveaway is concluded. Guest and divemaster blog. 17 October, 2010

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

First day at Gaudalupe!!

We saw Biteface, Lucy, Shredder and a big one no one can identify!  The sun peeked through a little and the water was clear and cool…

das wasser ist  kalt, aber es war unglaublich klar, besser als suedafrika..es gab verschiedene weisse haie zu sehen, PHANTASTISCH>>>>

Today was worth waiting for because we got to get in the cages and watch the beautiful great white sharks swim by in the bright blue water. This experience is something everyone should do once in their lifetime. There is nothing more magical than to watch a great white shark swim out of the distance up to the cage and they get so close you can almost touch them.

Scratch one item off the bucket list: diving with one of the top predators of the sea. Over the course of the first day I got to meet over a dozen different great white sharks. Every dive brought me close to these amazing creatures. I can’t wait for day two.

Shawn Stoddard

We  had a very smooth crossing over to Guadalupe island from Ensenada. We are starting to see lot of Humpbacks whales now starting to migrate down south. It is an nice extra to look for when we cross over to our shark diving. An owl made us company for the whole crossing and flied of to Guadelupe just a bit before we anchored. She should be ok in Guadalupe, there are a lot of mice on the island..

After setting the cages ready to go at 6:45 AM we noticed that we are getting close in to the winter , not by the temperature , but it is still dark, When we started in July it waslight at this time , but we remain our schedules the same.

The first start in the morning was a bit slow , but it got better and better in to the day. The after noon we had two big females and a defenitely much smaller male make quick passes by the cage but did not stay long as he got pushed out bythe big females.

We got Bite face, shredder, Noriega and MAD , of the females Lucy, Scar brough and an un idetified big un marked female that was having a lot of attitude.

she was all the time high up in the water and often surprised us who where standing on the cages. They had this beautiful black and blue striped Pilot fish with them. It seems like the pilot fish are very faithful to its host. they swim away a little bit to investigate things in the water , but always quickly retuns to its mamma shark again.

Surface conditions; Mixed sun and clouds. No wind , 25 C

Underwater conditions : Viz 25-35 m , temp 64 F, 21C, Abit of current today.

Diveguide

Sten

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Posted in Animals, Captains Log, Destinations, Ensenada, Great White Shark, Guadalupe Island | No Comments »

We have a little owl sitting on the back deck. At least he can eat some mice when we get to Guadalupe Island. Captain and dive guide log. 16 OCTOBER 2010

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

The trip from Ensenada was the absolutley enjoyable – flat calm and peaceful.  The kind of voyage where the sound of the water on the hull is hypnotizing.  It was a little overcast but flat and calm and nice.  We have a little owl sitting on the back deck – hitched a ride to Gaudalupe Island  with us.  At least he can eat some mice at Guadalupe Island when he’s over there.

Captain Kevin

Today we started up again a beautiful day , calm and a bit grey in the morning and then later on in the day the sun burned through the clouds and it maintained a blue sky and a shining sun. Great white sharks were around  all the time. It was Bruce and Lucy that had control over our Nautilus Explorer. Bruce closer in to the cages and Lucy mostly a bit under , But it seems that she was respected by Bruce even if she is a bit smaller. Lucy is tthe girl that some years ago came back with her tail really badly bashed and she has a bit of a special way that she wag her tail that you can recognice her on far distance just the way she moves. She is fat and healthy so it seems like she is doing well. She always use to be in a company of Pilot fish , but this year it seems like they had left her. This two sharks stayed with us the whole day until the end and even hanged around when we packed the cages and and where ready to leave. A couple of other young male great whites came around but where always chased off. One male liked coming high up above the cages and surprised us , he had a seaweed hanging from his right side of his mouth at a time he got spooked of from Bruce, the youngster kicked of and left a perfect triangular white tooth wiggling down to the bottom with makarell fish trying to eat it.

Dive guide Sten

Surface conditions. Still , no waves , sunny after 11am, 25-30 C Underwater conditions.60 F, 18C, Viz 20-35m

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Posted in Animals, Captains Log, Destinations, Ensenada, Great White Shark, Guadalupe Island | 1 Comment »

Ikelite Product Blog

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
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October 11, 2010 ……… Guadalupe Island, Mexico
Story by John Brigham
Up until last month watching the movie Jaws was the limit to my experience with Great White Sharks. I was eager to change that on my recent trip to Guadalupe Island… especially after I stepped aboard the Nautilus Explorer. The boat and crew are a pleasure. And did I mention the hot tub?

I couldn’t allow myself to become too distracted by the delightfully warm, bubbly water on deck. I was out to get the most highly coveted souvenir which my shipmates and I came to know as the Shot. I hadn’t come ill-prepared. Arming myself with the right mixture of gear made this goal attainable. The full-frame Canon 5D Mark II had me covered for both photo and video. I started out with the housing circuitry set to manual flash, but found it too difficult to keep up with my constantly moving subjects. Switching to TTL allowed the camera to control my dual DS161 Movie Substrobes so that I could focus on camera settings and composition. Starting with aperture f/8 and shutter speed 1/160 I shot, tweaked, shot, waited and repeated until everything came together.

Steve Miller photoOther divers on board were achieving impressive footage using the Compact Video Package with the JVC Picsio HD camera. I call this the “gateway” package, because of its ability to turn people on to the addictive world of underwater photography. These are the types of innovative products that I find the most exciting. They are the devices that give us the help we all need — they help to turn any diver into a successful videographer or photographer.

Many thanks to the amazing crew of the Nautilus Explorer! They were as instrumental as my equipment in documenting those awesome Great Whites. None of us would have returned home with the Shot if not for them.

Exciting and innovative new products are in line for announcements leading up to the DEMA show next month in Las Vegas. If you’re a dive professional we encourage you to attend the show and stop by to see us (and the products) in Booth 1030. A new product seminar will be offered on Friday afternoon of the show at 3pm. Those not in attendance can still keep up with the latest gear by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter and always the Ikelite website.

 John Brigham PhotoJohn Brigham PhotoJohn Brigham Photo
Check out Guadalupe Island, Socorro Island and other exciting adventures with the Nautilus Explorer crew:

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Posted in Animals, Destinations, Great White Shark, Guadalupe Island, mexico, Nautilus Explorer | 1 Comment »

Scuba diving in Mexico was just super… the best I ever experienced. greetings to Captain Mike from the Swiss humour.. – guest and divemaster blog including Isla Cedros – October 4, 2010

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

Second time on the boat, Alaska last year was already a highlight. this time scuba diving in Mexico with a new crew. just super… also the diving, both times the best i ever experienced. we will be back for more. greetings to captain mike from swiss humor. you missed us.  michel

Hi, this is the very first blog of my life – we had fantastic (but cold) days. Having seen sooooo many things never seen before. Great White sharks at Guadalupe – seals – giant kelp forests – mola mola – and the cream on top after a hard diving day is the hot tub and the beer collection!!!

Hope to be back sometime in the future.

Cheers, Nils

kean age15 and selina age 18 : diving with the great white sharks was a cool experience and i thought it was really cool that we were allowed to go on the top of the cage because it is much more intense.(:

the  cage that was open the whole day was pretty practical, because you could go when ever you wanted. what i loved to do after a day of shark diving was finding out     which sharks were swimming around at this day. the only thing that i didn’t like was the coldness of the water. :P

diving with the sealions and seals was also cool. and the kelp is cool. the crew was also really nice and id always come again

doris

ich habe das erste mal auf einem schiff urlaub gemacht und auf der nautilus hat es mir sehr gut gefallen. die crew ist unschlagbar, einfach super. sehr freundlich ,hilfsbereit und  aufmerksam. was mich am meisten begeistert hat war, dass die ganze crew am naechsten morgen von allen gaesten die vornamen gewusst hatten. die tauchplaetze mit den weissen haien, das kelp und die seeloewen sind ein unvergessliches erlebnis.

diesen tripp wuerde ich gerne wieder einmal machen.

From the surface the massive kelp beds around Isla Cedros go as far as the eye can see and beckon you to venture beneath and explore. Through a brilliant sunlit milky haze blasts a deep firey orange to deep emerald green as the kelp beds descend to the depths of some twenty to thirty meters. Teaming with life, the kelp forests are a sight to behold; breath taking as you look to the surface and thousands of fish circle above your head. A fire in the sky, god rays come streaming through dense leaves. Amazingly colorful, beautifully serene as gentle currents pull you into the forest leaving the big blue behind. The marine life feels no fear; sea lions and harbor seals dart through the kelp showing off their agility. The dive site is amazingly healthy, a jewel, from the smallest critters to big Barracuda, Bat Rays, Groupers and Sheepshead’s. The kelp forest is a spectacular show, you’ll want more than a couple of dives to truly enjoy what this emerald forest has to offer!

Divemaster Simon

Surface Conditions: Sunny and warm with mild winds, the ocean a mill pond.

Underwater Conditions: Viz.- 40ft+, Temp. 60F (7mm wetsuit), mild current.

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Posted in Alaska, Animals, Captains Log, Cedros Island, Destinations, Great White Shark, Guest Blog, kelp, mexico, mola mola, sealions | No Comments »

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