8 hrs
Duration
18+
Minimum Age
San Diego
City

Blue Shark Expedition

The San Diego Blue Shark Expedition is a unique opportunity to enjoy blue sharks in their natural environment in a professional, safe, and sustainable shark encounter.

Difficulty level: Beginner/Intermediate, although no scuba diving experience is needed, we require you to be familiarized with snorkeling and in good physical shape.

Duration: 6-8 hours. (Approx.)

Location of Departure/Return: Expeditions depart most weekends at 9:00 AM (Saturdays and Sundays) from Mission Bay, San Diego California, returning to the dock at approximately 4:30 PM* We might return at a different time depending on weather conditions and our guests’ preferences.

Expedition Includes: Light meals, water, and healthy snacks. You are welcome to bring your own food. *Please let us know if you have any food allergies.

Exclusions: Snorkel equipment (Fins, Mask, 7mm Wetsuit) not included. Please enquire if you need us to provide snorkel equipment for an additional rental fee.

Recommendations:

  • We recommend you bring a warm set of clothes and a towel. Layering works great. We’ll be most of the day under the sun so please bring reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
  • If prone to seasickness, we recommend you to take a dose of seasickness medicine the night before your expedition and another one before the trip.
  • Please note our Zodiac boat cruises at 20+ mph and although our Captain will maneuver to avoid ‘bumps’ there’s always the possibility to encounter unexpected rough seas. With this in mind, we do not recommend our expeditions for people with back or neck problems.

About:

Join our experienced captain and shark expert guides in the thrill of snorkeling with one of the most beautiful shark species, the majestic blue shark. Departing from mission bay in San Diego aboard our custom-built 21’ Rib boat HOA-KAI (Hawaiian for Ocean Friend) in a four-passenger open ocean expedition. We’ll explore the biodiverse offshore waters of San Diego on the lookout for blue sharks.

Blue Shark Expedition
Public Charter
Single Booking (Max Capacity 4 people)
 $429
Private Charter
Ages 18+
 $1,700

This adventure is operated by Net Zero Expeditions

Is it safe to swim with Blue Sharks?                           

At NZE we have a 100% Safety record; no one has ever been bit or injured in our expeditions. Always have in mind that sharks are wild animals and that we’re entering their habitat, caution and respect are key, our shark expert guides will brief you on the proper techniques and logistics to safely snorkel with these beautiful animals assuring you a safe, fun, and educational shark snorkeling experience.

Are we snorkeling inside a cage?

No, this is a cage-less adventure.

What kind of behavior can we expect from the blue sharks?              

Blue sharks, although cautious, are naturally inquisitive; With the proper techniques, they will approach us cautiously until they get more comfortable with our presence. The ideal situation is if a calm and curious shark comes to check you or your camera out, it’s a wonderful treat you will likely never forget.

Can I touch the sharks?

Human skin is coated with oils and bacteria, which can damage marine wildlife. Touching sharks or any other wildlife is strictly prohibited (Even when using gloves). Please remember, we are guests in their environment, bring your ocean etiquette.

What is the minimum age required for this expedition?

You must be at least 18 years old to participate in this activity. *We may be able to make exceptions for younger diver certified guests accompanied by their legal guardians.

Do I need to be certified as a diver?

This is a snorkeling experience, as such, you are not required to be certified as a Diver. However, we require you to be in good physical shape, comfortable in the water, and familiarized with snorkeling. If in doubt, please reach out to us. We reserve the right to provide this service if we deem you unqualified. The safety of our guests and the wildlife we visit is paramount, thank you for understanding.

Which other species of sharks we might encounter on this expedition?

This is a Blue shark expedition however, we might also encounter and snorkel with Mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus). Especially in the summer months when the water is warmer.  Although uncommon there’s also the chance to see hammerheads.

Wildlife Disclaimer:

Please note that to the unpredictable nature of wildlife, we are not in a position to guarantee any shark sightings. However, we’ll do our best to improve our chances. There’s always something to discover at sea, patience is a well-rewarded virtue at the open ocean.

Cancellation Policy:

100% of the trip payment is required at the time of booking to reserve the expedition. You can cancel up to two weeks before the trip for a full refund*. We reserve the right to cancel any expedition due to unfavorable weather conditions, in this case, you will be informed and rescheduled at the earliest date available. Our Shark expeditions need a minimum of three passengers to run, if we don’t reach the threshold you can either purchase an additional ticket, reschedule at a later date, or be refunded.