Dive Review of Shark Diving International/Solmar V in
Mexico (Western)/Guadalupe Island

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Shark Diving International/Solmar V, Oct, 2007, by Dan Clements, WA, USA ( Contributor 15 reports). Report 3681.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This is one of the best run, well organized, live aboards I have ever been on. Our trip had 14 divers (maximum of 16 taken on Guadalupe outings). There was all the cage time anyone would want. After the first rotation it was possible to be in a cage with one other person, or by onesself. Great whites showed up within fifteen minutes of arrival. In comparing notes with folks who have visited this site on other boats, Shark Diving International and Lawrence Growth run the best tours on the Solmar V. We visited the first of October, had eleven different sharks in the 12-14 foot size category. We also witnesses the second recorded attack and devouring of a 400 lb elephant seal (caught on film). The routine goes from waiting 20 or so minutes for a shark, to close encounters with one to five sharks. They were visible on all rotations. We did quite a bit of shooting hanging out of cages, especially from the bottom of the cage shooting up. Great outing, great crew, great photographs, great fellow travelers. Large camera table made it wonderful for my Nikon DSLR and Subal housing rig. Two issues: 1.) The 18 hour trip is south/north from Ensenada, seas quarter from west. On return, only three of us who did not get sea sick. If in doubt, use a patch. 2.) Shark Diving International advertises a PADI great white specialty. Not available for our trip.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	101-250 dives
Where else diving	Puget Sound, British Columbia, Galapagos, Bahamas, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Marquesas
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	cloudy	Seas	choppy
Water Temp	68-69°F / 20-21°C	Wetsuit Thickness	7
Water Visibility	60-100 Ft/ 18-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	no
Enforced diving restrictions	This is cage diving with air supplied via hooka. Two surface cages, one submersable to 40'.
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	None
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	Exceptionally good facilities for photographers. A large table with ample room for everyone, including me and my Nikon DSLR/Subal housing rig. No problem recharging batteries, computers. (There are 110 outlets in each cabin on the middle bulkhead, lower bunk that most folks missed seeing.) The sharks are so close I recommend a wide angle. My Tokina 10-17 mm fisheye was perfect. I also shot with a 60 mm, but the shots were much better with the wide angle. I brought twin Ikelite 125 strobes and never used them.

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Dive Review of Shark Diving International/Solmar V in Mexico (Western)/Guadalupe Island

Shark Diving International/Solmar V, Oct, 2007,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Shark Diving International/Solmar V in
Mexico (Western)/Guadalupe Island