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Top 5 Guadalupe Liveaboards

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Shark Week has ended for another year, but shark fans needn’t dismay; the Guadalupe cage diving season is just beginning. This iconic destination has featured in various Shark Week programs and is the premier great white shark diving destination to visit.

Guadalupe Island has over 200 known individual great white sharks and offers the chance to dive with these sharks in crystal clear, warm waters. There are a variety of Guadalupe liveaboards to choose from, with vessels for all budgets and needs. It can be difficult to know where to start when choosing the right liveaboard though, so here are our top five Guadalupe liveaboards to try:

MV HORIZON, AMERICA’S SHARK BOAT

Photo: MV Horizon

The Original Guadalupe Liveaboard

America’s Shark Boat MV Horizon is the original Guadalupe liveaboard and has been offering shark diving at the island since 2000. The crew are experienced and knowledgeable, having known some of the Guadalupe sharks for 16 years.

Ideal for Budget-Conscious Safaris

This is a great liveaboard for those on a budget, looking to focus on the shark diving and learn more about shark research and conservation. The MV Horizon has been involved in shark research at Guadalupe and they have a strong environmental commitment and passion for shark conservation.

Limited Guest Numbers

Guests looking an intimate safari should consider the MV Horizon, as the vessel has 8 air-conditioned cabins and cater for just 16 divers. The bathrooms are shared and there is a sun deck and saloon to enjoy between dives.

Maximum Time in The Cage

Guests can enjoy up to 20 hours in the water thanks to their small guest numbers and large cage capacity.

Safari Details

MV Horizon cage diving safaris depart from San Diego and are 6 days long, with 3 days of diving.

Experience Level Needed

The MV Horizon specialises in safaris for non-divers and divers alike, and has a cage designed exclusively for non-divers.


NAUTILUS EXPLORER

The Nautilus Explorer is the Nautilus fleet’s flagship and has her own unique features to enjoy.

Nautilus Explorer. Photo: Andreas Dellios & Nautilus Liveaboards

Million Dollar Views

The Explorer is ideal for those wanting to enjoy fantastic ocean views from the dining room and lounge after a great day of diving, and really immerse themselves in being at sea even when they’re not in the water.

New 2018 Extension

The Explorer is even better in 2018, have been extended to include a huge new dive deck and water-level platform, enlarged superior suite and interior upgrades. The Explorer also has a 5-ton hydraulic crane and reinforced steel deck. Both of which have made this vessel ideal for hosting film and scientific crews.

Ideal for Mixed Dive Buddy Groups

There are 13 cabins, including mixed-gender triple staterooms and premium rooms, all with bathrooms and showers. Guests can enjoy the two sun decks and hot tub deck in-between dives.

Safari Details

Nautilus Explorer cage diving safaris depart from San Diego and are 6 days long, with 3 days of diving.

Experience Level Needed

Nautilus Guadalupe safaris are suitable for experienced divers and non-divers alike.


NAUTILUS BELLE AMIE

The big, beautiful 41m Nautilus Belle Amie liveaboard is the newest and largest of the Nautilus liveaboards and is the sister vessel to the Nautilus Explorer. She is more like a floating five-star hotel than a boat and was built with divers’ needs, safety and comfort in mind. She offers safaris to both Guadalupe and the Socorro Islands, Mexico.

Photo: Nautilus Belle Amie

Maximum Guest Comfort at Sea

The Belle Amie prioritises guest comfort. She has a wide beam and deep draft, making her ideal for those who suffer from motion sickness and ensuring the most comfortable crossing possible to Guadalupe. The Belle Amie is also soundproofed, allowing guests ultra-quiet rooms and peaceful nights before action-packed shark dives.

Good for Larger Groups

With 16 cabins, including cost-effective staterooms, the Belle Amie is ideal for groups of friends or families visiting Guadalupe and wanting a variety of berth options to choose from. This vessel caters for up to 30 divers in total and the liveaboard is spacious and comfortable, with a beautiful full-length sundeck and large hot tub on the sun deck.

Dive from Dawn to Dusk

The cages are open from 7am to dinner time on the Belle Amie, allowing plenty of dive time with the sharks and almost unlimited time diving in the surface cages.

Submersible Cages

There are also submersible cages, providing a great opportunity to enjoy the sharks at depth and truly appreciate the environment they live in. Certified divers always get 3 or more submersible cage dives.

Guadalupe And Socorro Combo

For a truly unique experience, the Belle Amie offers 15-night safaris to enjoy both the sharks at Guadalupe and the giant mantas at the Socorro Islands. These safaris usually occur in November.

Safari Details

Nautilus Belle Amie cage diving safaris depart from San Diego and are 6 days long, with 3 days of diving.

Experience Level Needed

Nautilus Guadalupe safaris are suitable for experienced divers and non-divers alike.


NAUTILUS UNDER SEA

Most divers know this liveaboard from her previous life as the Undersea Hunter of Cocos Island. Since then she has been upgraded, stretched by 20 feet, given a new superstructure, an enclosed dive deck and more.

Photo: Nautilus Under Sea

From James Bond to Dr Silvia Earle

The Nautilus Under Sea was the support boat for James Bond’s ‘Licence to Kill’ and for a Deep Rover mission with Dr Silvia Earle. Having undertaken many research missions, she is a fascinating vessel to spend time on.

Intimate Dive Safaris

This vessel has just 8 cabins, with ensuite facilities and air conditioning. She caters for 18 divers, making her ideal for those looking for a more intimate safari.

Wheelchair Friendly

The Under Sea has a wheelchair friendly stateroom adjacent to the dive deck. This ADA compliant room has twin beds, ensuite facilities, air-conditioning and a huge window.

Ideal for Photographers

This liveaboard has plenty of space for photography equipment, with large camera set-up areas and personal camera storage.

Guadalupe And Socorro Combo

Like the Belle Amie, this vessel offers 15-night safaris to enjoy both the sharks at Guadalupe and the giant mantas at the Socorro Islands. These safaris usually occur in November.

Safari Details

Nautilus Under Sea cage diving safaris depart from San Diego and are 6 days long, with 3 days of diving.

Experience Level Needed

Nautilus Guadalupe safaris are suitable for experienced divers and non-divers alike.


SOLMAR V

With a traditional steel hull, plus brass and mahogany interiors, the Solmar V is a classic liveaboard with a very experienced crew.

Photo: Solmar V

All About the Luxury

The Solmar V is focussed on luxury, offering 12 lavish staterooms with climate control, ensuite facilities, pillow top mattresses, non-allergenic alternative pillows and comforters.

Conservation Minded

The crew of the Solmar V are passionate about conservation and actively support marine conservation through Pelagic Life. This organisation aims to protect the marine megafauna of Mexico through raising awareness, contributing to sustainable ecotourism, and by making eco-conscious seafood choices.

Food Lovers Heaven

The Solmar V is very well known for gourmet cuisine and offers a variety of choices, including cooked-to-order breakfasts, three-course lunches and multiple course dinners. There are always snacks available and all beer and wine is included with the meals. The chef can easily accommodate dietary requirements. This liveaboard is ideal for food lovers.

Special Hotel Rates

The Solmar V partner hotel, Hampton Inn, offers special rates, complimentary airport shuttles and a free breakfast for Solmar V guests.

Perfect for Mini Vacations

Guadalupe safaris with the Solmar V are 5 days long and yet still include 3 full days of diving. They are ideal for mini vacations and those with limited time.

Safari Details

Solmar V cage diving safaris depart from San Diego.

Experience Level Needed

Solmar V Guadalupe safaris are suitable for experienced divers and non-divers alike.

This article was written by divers and writers at LiveAboard.com


Discover liveaboard diving holiday solutions around the world at Liveaboard.com.

Marine Life & Conservation Blogs

Creature Feature: Undulate Ray

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In this series, the Shark Trust will be sharing amazing facts about different species of sharks and what you can do to help protect them.

This month we’re looking at the Undulate Ray. Easily identified by its beautiful, ornate pattern, the Undulate Ray gets its name from the undulating patterns of lines and spots on its dorsal side.

This skate is usually found on sandy or muddy sea floors, down to about 200 m deep, although it is more commonly found shallower. They can grow up to 90 cm total length. Depending on the size of the individual, their diet can range from shrimps to crabs.

Although sometimes called the Undulate Ray, this is actually a species of skate, meaning that, as all true skates do, they lay eggs. The eggs are contained in keratin eggcases – the same material that our hair and nails are made up of! These eggcases are also commonly called mermaid’s purses and can be found washed up on beaches all around the UK. If you find one, be sure to take a picture and upload your find to the Great Eggcase Hunt – the Shark Trust’s flagship citizen science project.

It is worth noting that on the south coasts, these eggcases can be confused with those of the Spotted Ray, especially as they look very similar and the ranges overlap, so we sometimes informally refer to them as ‘Spundulates’.

Scientific Name: Raja undulata

Family: Rajidae

Maximum Size: 90cm (total length)

Diet: shrimps and crabs

Distribution: found around the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean Sea.

Habitat: shelf waters down to 200m deep.

Conservation Status : As a commercially exploited species, the Undulate Ray is a recovering species in some areas. The good thing is that they have some of the most comprehensive management measures of almost any elasmobranch species, with both minimum and maximum landing sizes as well as a closed season. Additionally, targeting is entirely prohibited in some areas. They are also often caught as bycatch in various fisheries – in some areas they can be landed whilst in others they must be discarded.

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

For more great shark information and conservation visit the Shark Trust Website


Image Credits: Banner – Sheila Openshaw; Illustration – Marc Dando

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Guarding Against Coral Invaders

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coral

Protecting (Dutch) Caribbean Reefs from Unomia stolonifera

Recent reports highlight the concerning spread of the invasive soft coral, Unomia stolonifera, currently devastating Venezuela’s marine ecosystems and detected in Cuba. With the potential threat of its expansion to the (Dutch) Caribbean islands, urgent action and awareness are essential to safeguard marine biodiversity and local economies from possible catastrophic consequences.

Invasive species are animals or plants from another region of the world that don’t belong in their new environment. These species can have major ecological effects by decimating native flora or fauna. They can also cause large economic losses and impact human health. Invasive species also pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, including the Dutch Caribbean. Among these invaders is the octocoral species Unomia stolonifera or “Pulsing Xenia”, originally from the Indo-Pacific. With its rapid growth and lack of natural predators, this species can outcompete native species and disrupt fragile marine habitats such as seagrass beds and coral reefs.

Background

The invasive soft coral U. stolonifera was first identified in 2014, off the coast of Venezuela. It is believed to have been introduced via the illegal aquarium trade.  Since this species can reproduce sexually and asexually (or fragment), even small pieces can regenerate to spread.  Once introduced it quickly took over shallow reefs and hard substrate at depths of 0-50 meters, outcompeting local corals and seagrass for space.  Follow on surveys found that this coral species exhibited average percentage cover as high as 80%, vastly outcompeting native corals. In highly colonized areas, fish are disappearing due to loss of habitats.

In 2022, during a survey conducted in Cuba by the University of Havana, an unknown octocoral was discovered which was later identified as the invasive Unomia stolonifera. It is suspected that the coral larvae arrived in ballast water from fossil fuel ships originating from Venezuela, as nearby sites adjacent to Venezuelan ports have been heavily affected by the invasion.

How to help

Prevention through continuous monitoring, particularly in high-risk areas such as marine harbors and oil facilities, is paramount. Early detection plays a pivotal role in mitigating the threat posed by Unomia stolonifera.

The public’s involvement and awareness are also vital. Local communities, recreational divers, tourists, and all stakeholders are urged to participate in early detection efforts by reporting sightings (photo, location and date) of this invasive coral to their respective Protected Area Management Organization (PMO’s)- the Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)STINAPA BonaireCARMABI Curaçao Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF)Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM) and St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA). If an invaded area is confirmed, follow the recommendations by the local PMO’s.

Keys to Success

Despite the challenges, early detection is key to mitigating the threat posed by Unomia stolonifera. With continued vigilance, research, and community engagement, there is hope for containing this potential issue before it becomes a major threat.

About the DCNA

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports (science) communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature related (scientific) information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and through the press. This article contains the results from several scientific studies but the studies themselves are not DCNA studies. No rights can be derived from the content. DCNA is not liable for the content and the in(direct) impacts resulting from publishing this article.

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