Farallon Islands

There are only a few places in the world where one can witness the wonder of white sharks hunting and feeding. Fortunately for those on the West Coast of the United States, one of those places is right in our backyard. The Farallon Islands are just about 25 miles off the coast of San Francisco. Four separate island groups make up the Farallons, but only the Southeast Island can be accessed by boat. It is this island that provides a craggy, yet idyllic backdrop for great white shark observation.

The purpose of these yearly shark migrations is simple--they follow the food source. Every fall, vast quantities of elephant seals and other mammals breed on and around the Farallon Islands. For the white shark, this event is akin to an all-you-can eat buffet, and every fall they migrate to feed.

Farallon Island Cage Diving

For those who enjoy the idea of coming face to snout with a feeding great white, there are many companies that offer cage dives just off of the Southeast Island. These diving expeditions are typically only a day trip, which is appealing to those who crave adventure but have limited vacation time. Peak shark viewing season runs from September through November, so if you choose to book yourself on one of these dives, be sure to have a properly insulated wetsuit to fend off the cold water temperatures. Most companies will give you a good idea of what type of suit is best.

While your diving instructors will do all that they can to prepare you for the experience, you should consider the reality of the caged shark dive. You will be submerged in very deep, cold water. You will not be able to see the ocean floor and you will be enclosed in a metal cage. If there is a chance that you are claustrophobic, you may want to take stock of that before you embark upon your shark adventure.