IMPORTANT NOTES & FAQ - Guadalupe

Passport / visa

If you are not a Mexican citizen, you are required to carry with you a valid passport. (Please e-mail us the copy of your full passport page with photo prior to your trip.)

If you are flying into Mexico, you will need to fill out an Entry Immigration Form (FMT) to obtain a Mexico Tourist Card or visa ($25). In case your airline will not provide the form onboard your flight, it is recommended that you fill out and print the form at home.

If you are entering Mexico via San Diego, you must obtain and pay for your FMT at the border crossing in San Ysidro. (There is a no-cost immigration form that allows you to visit by land only for 5 days, but if you are embarking on a ship, this no-cost document will not be sufficient for you). A copy of both documents has to be filed for each passenger boarding the vessel.

Payment / cancellation terms

At the time of booking a $500 / person down payment is necessary to confirm your reservation. The amount is non-refundable. The balance payment is due 90 days prior to departure. No cancellations are accepted once the full payment is made however it can be transferred to a replacement diver.

Cabin reservations

Cabins may be booked in advance (charges may apply) or may be assigned upon arrival. All 13 double cabins have en-suite bathrooms. There are 5 queen-bed cabins and 8 twin-bed cabins.

Liveaboard departure city

Trips start from and end in Ensenada, Mexico (near San Diego, CA).

Arriving in Ensenada

You may fly to San Diego, CA or Tijuana, Mexico.

It is recommended that you arrive a day before your trip and spend the night at a hotel. (You may also want to spend a night at a hotel after your trip.) This way you can take care of lost luggage, last-minute replacement of any missing items, or make up time for delayed flights.

Transfers

Transfers are provided from/to Holiday Inn Express in San Diego, CA and Hotel Palacio Azteca in Tijuana, Mexico.

Boarding / sailing time

Boarding is from 11:00.

Pick-up time is at 08:00 on departure day from Holiday Inn Express in San Diego (1955 San Diego Avenue, CA 92110, tel.: 619-543-1130) and at 09:00 from Hotel Palacio Azteca in Tijuana (tel.: 664-681-8100, hotelpalacioazteca@gmail.com).

If you wish to stay at other hotels, you must be in the lobby of either of the two hotels above no later than 08:15 to be able to join the other guests.

The ride to Ensenada takes about 1.5 hours.

Sailing out is at 13:00. It takes about 18 hours to get to Guadalupe Island, and in case of a late departure, the first day of diving might be lost or cut short.

Length of the liveaboard trip

Each trip usually lasts 5 days. Chartered trips may be booked upon request in which case the length of the trips can be tailored to the requests.

Return to port / disembarkation

You will return to port on the last day at around 11:00. Disembarkation is by 13:00 on the final day to begin transfers back to San Diego and/or Tijuana.

The first dive

Your first dive is scheduled for the following morning at 08:00.

Cage dives per day

You may dive as many times a day as you wish. We recommend taking turns to give all guests equal water time. Water tends to be on the colder side and you may want to spend some time onboard, basking in the sun, drinking hot chocolate.

Cage diving

You will dive in groups of 3-4 per cage. You may request a dive guide to accompany you.

Cage diving is strictly regulated. Diving is only permitted within enclosed cages. Divers must remain within the cage at all times. No body parts or equipment (such as camera) are permitted outside of the cage. For cage diving hookah air supply (surface-supplied air) is used.

Number of cages

There are 4 cages onboard.

Length of dives

Each dive usually lasts about 30-45 minutes.

Night diving

There are no night dives on the trips. Diving is from 08:00 until 17:00.

Depths

You may stay at the surface inside the cage or you may descend with the cage to up to 12m.

Visibility

The waters are crystal clear and visibility is excellent, more than 40m.

Currents

There is not much current normally but sometimes they may occur.

Marine life

Guadalupe Island is all about the great white sharks.

Dive guides / crew members

Usually there are 2-3 dive masters and 9-11 crew members onboard.

Briefings

You will be briefed by the guides before each dive.

Water temperatures throughout the year

You can expect water temperatures to be around 17-22C (63-74F).

Diving suit recommended

A 5-7mm wet suit and booties are recommended though some divers use semi-dry suits.

Environmental protection / preservation laws and regulations

You may not set foot on the island. You may also not throw anything in the water (organic or non-organic waste included). You must not touch any marine life (fauna or flora) and you must not remove anything from the sea (living or otherwise, including sand, shells, corals, etc.).

Qualifications / documentations

You must present to the guides your valid diving certificate in order to be able to take part in submersible cage dives.

Certified divers must also have DAN or equivalent diving insurance as well as full travel insurance coverage. Non-divers must also have valid full travel insurance coverage.

Equipment rental

You will only need a wet suit (and booties). You must send us the sizes ahead of time. The rental price is $60 / suit.

Snorkelling

No snorkelling is allowed.

Documents onboard

You must sign a waiver release form and a medical form onboard.

Mandatory vaccinations

None needed.

Payment methods / currency

Only cash payments ($ or €) are accepted onboard.

Cell (mobile) / WIFI coverage

There is no cell (mobile) or WIFI coverage onboard at sea except for the first 2 hours after leaving port.

Satellite phone

There is one onboard. The charge is $3.50 / minute.

Type of cuisine onboard

International cuisine is served on the trips.

Types of meals onboard

For breakfast: oatmeal, eggs any style, quesadillas (you may order a la carte) For lunch: salad, chicken, fish
For dinner: soup, steak, fish, dessert

Meal times

06:30 light breakfast (coffee, fruits, breads/pastries) 09:00 full breakfast
13:00 lunch
19:00 dinner

Snacks are available throughout the day.

Meal service

Meals are served to you. It is possible to get seconds.

Snacks and drinks

Snacks are available throughout the day. Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are included in the price (beer and wine is available in limited quantities).

You may bring your own beer or liqueur onboard but please note that alcoholic beverages may not be consumed until the dive day is over.

Cabin amenities

There are bed linens and towels in the cabins (no bathrobes), and toiletries such as soap and shampoo. Beach towels are also provided.

Linens and towels are changed once during each trip.

Electricity onboard

110v with North-American sockets as well as 220v in some areas.

Local customs

Tipping the crew and guides is important. They work very hard for you during the entire trip. We recommend a tip of $250 / guest. (All tips are collected and divided among the crew and guides equally.)

Safe onboard

There is a safe onboard where you may place your valuables. The guides will provide you access. We can only accept responsibility for items placed in the safe.

Medical facilities onboard

Basic first-aid kit, medication for general medical problems, blood pressure control system and Oxygen is available onboard. It is recommended to bring all regularly taken and familiar medications with you.

Nearest hospital / medical facility on land

There are medical facilities in Ensenada.

Nearest decompression chamber

It is in Ensenada.

Weather / apparel

Normally the weather is nice and pleasant. Light casual clothing (T-shirts, shorts, sandals) is recommended plus a warmer sweatshirt or a jacket for the cool evenings.

Cultural / sightseeing programs

Some sightseeing programs may be arranged for you if requested ahead of time, for example a visit to the Guadalupe Valley, famous for its fine wineries and wine.

Photography / videography

There are no known restrictions. Feel free to take photos and videos.