潜点: Guadalupe Island

关于 Guadalupe Island

Guadalupe Island, a remote volcanic outpost situated approximately 240 kilometers off the Pacific coast of Baja California, was renowned as the world's premier destination for great white shark encounters. This island served as a critical habitat where over 300 individually identified great white sharks gathered annually. Its appeal stemmed from the consistent shark sightings and the remarkably clear blue waters, with visibility often reaching 30 to 45 meters, far surpassing other great white shark destinations globally. The nutrient-rich California Current supports a thriving ecosystem, attracting various prey species that sustain the sharks, particularly Guadalupe fur seals and elephant seals which breed here. Dive experiences at Guadalupe were exclusively cage-based, focusing on observing great whites in their natural environment. Two types of cages were typically employed: surface cages, which floated at the stern of liveaboard vessels, and submersible cages, lowered to depths of up to 9 meters for certified divers. Both types utilized surface-supplied air (hookah systems), eliminating the need for traditional scuba gear or fins within the cages. Divers could spend extended periods observing the sharks, which were attracted to the boats using lures and chum, ensuring frequent and close interactions. The diving season historically ran from July to November, with juvenile male sharks dominating the early part of the season, followed by the arrival of larger female sharks in October and November. These massive females, some over 5 meters long, were a particular highlight for many divers. The encounters were not merely about observation but also about witnessing natural behaviors, with sharks sometimes striking lures or breaching the surface. However, in January 2023, the Mexican government made a permanent decision to close Guadalupe Island to all tourism and commercial activities, including shark cage diving. This closure was enacted under a renewed biosphere r