California Shark Diving is a charter operator specializing in shark excursions in Southern California. Trips leave from its Long Beach location for the open waters of the Pacific and cater both to guests with no diving experience and to experienced underwater photographers and freedivers.
Diving with sharks
According to the operator, trips take place more than three miles offshore. Guests can observe the animals from a surface cage or while freediving with snorkeling equipment. Scuba certification is not required; masks, snorkels, fins and wetsuits are provided.
The operator regularly lists blue sharks, shortfin makos and smooth hammerhead sharks. Blue sharks are explicitly described as present year-round. Silky sharks and great white sharks may also appear, although the operator says great whites are only rarely seen on these trips. The species actually encountered depend on the season, water temperature, weather, visibility and route.
At the destination, the team lets the boat drift, creates a chum slick and positions bait by the boat to attract sharks.
Trip schedule and equipment
Regular excursions are planned as trips of about seven hours, from approximately 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to the operator, the journey from the harbor to the shark grounds takes about one hour each way. Diving guests and guests who only wish to watch can participate together. Group size is limited to up to six people.
