Shark Viewing?

[seobaina]

Hi

Strange request here but....I was just wondering if anyone knew anywhere along the california coast where we could possibly view Great White Sharks? I don't want to dive (not brave enough) and we can't do a full day to it (time doesn't allow) but does anyone know of any morning/afternoon or evening tours?


thank you

 

[ILUVALASKA]

whoa! I am a So Cal local and have never heard of great white shark diving in Southern California! They are spotted all along our coast at random, but I am not aware of any spots where they congregate, thank goodness!

 

[seobaina]

They're mostly in the Fallon islands area so northern california I saw one in captivity in Monterey a few years ago but would like to see one in the wild (unless I'm in the water)

 

[bcla]

They're mostly in the Fallon islands area so northern california I saw one in captivity in Monterey a few years ago but would like to see one in the wild (unless I'm in the water)

You mean the Farallons? That's in a protected marine sanctuary. Whale watching is OK, but the stuff needed to be able to see a shark wouldn't be allowed.

You're not likely to see (at least not see well) a big shark unless the waters are chummed. It's not like whale watching where they're close to the surface. Most of these type of things are dive tours in shark cages. They don't typically swim at the surface where you can see them unless hunting, and a lot of the stuff they hunt are protected species where a boat would be breaking the law by getting too close.

Personally I think it's not a great idea to seek out great whites. The cage diving activities are considered controversial - especially since the main means of ensuring a shark sighting is to provide bait. There's a shark diving industry near Cape Town, South Africa.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2006/oct/13/adventure.extremesportsholidays.watersportsholidays

 

[seobaina]

Yes sorry the Farallons. There are actually a number of shark tours in that area but all are all-day tours. As for South Africa I know some tours there don't use bait and chum and as a fully-fledged GW sponsoring member of the shark trust I would obviously always prefer one of those. But that's what I was looking for/hoping for here.

 

[Purrkins]

In So Cal:

San Onofre Power Plant used to be a good spot - where the warm water vented into the ocean it attracted fish, which attracted sharks. 95% of the time when I surfed that break I was sharing it with sharks in the water.

Now that the plant is no longer running, it's about 50% (or I just don't see them).

In San Diego you'd need to dive but there is a scuttled Polaris Missile Launcher and ship at about 150' that I've dived at three times now. Twice we've seen great whites and the other time about 5-6 reef sharks. This is a very technical dive however, experience is required. The local diver operators often charter a boat out there.

If you're coming in the summer, swarms (and I mean swarms) of Leopard Sharks can be found at La Jolla shores at the south side. When the tide is right you can walk right out there and they'll swim between your legs. Harmless and fascinating. Was out there last weekend and maybe saw 4 or 5 dozen, as the water gets warmer more will appear.

 

[seobaina]

Thank you

 

[got2sammies]

In So Cal:

San Onofre Power Plant used to be a good spot - where the warm water vented into the ocean it attracted fish, which attracted sharks. 95% of the time when I surfed that break I was sharing it with sharks in the water.

Now that the plant is no longer running, it's about 50% (or I just don't see them).

In San Diego you'd need to dive but there is a scuttled Polaris Missile Launcher and ship at about 150' that I've dived at three times now. Twice we've seen great whites and the other time about 5-6 reef sharks. This is a very technical dive however, experience is required. The local diver operators often charter a boat out there.

If you're coming in the summer, swarms (and I mean swarms) of Leopard Sharks can be found at La Jolla shores at the south side. When the tide is right you can walk right out there and they'll swim between your legs. Harmless and fascinating. Was out there last weekend and maybe saw 4 or 5 dozen, as the water gets warmer more will appear.

I sooo want to do this!