Guadalupe Island

Guadalupe Island is among the most exciting dive adventure destinations in the world! The island lies 150 miles off the Pacific coast of Mexico, roughly 210 miles south of San Diego and WNW of Punta Eugenia on the Baja California peninsula. The island has an area of 98 square miles and is 22 miles long. The island is environmentally isolated, surrounded as it is by deep water (300-3000 feet) and reaches depths of 12,000 feet between the island and the mainland.
	In the summer Guadalupe Island's waters are typically very clear with visibility in excess of 100', perfect for diving. Guadalupe's marine life includes pelagic animals such as pilot whales and oceanic white tip sharks. It is known for frequent sightings of blue fin tuna, yellow fin tuna, and schools of mackerel in the tens of thousands. The island's long coastline supports many coastal species as well, including garibaldi, Guadalupe cardinal fish, Cortez chub, Scythe-marked butterfly fish, trigger fish, parrot fish, lobster, turtles, various invertebrate reef animals, seals and great white sharks. Guadalupe is home to dozens of other native and endemic species as well.
Marine mammals live in Guadalupe's waters in abundance. Guadalupe is both a Mexican nature preserve and a pinniped (seal) sanctuary, and was the last refuge for the Northern elephant seal and the Guadalupe fur seal. Because small colonies of these animals managed to hide from sealers at Isla Guadalupe in the early 1900's, they survived almost certain extinction. While at Guadalupe you may have in-water encounters with elephant seals, sea lions and fur seals, and occasional encounters with bottlenose dolphin and beaked whales.    Some of the world's greatest spear fishing is here at Guadalupe Island where the current spear fishing world records for Pacific blue fin tuna and North American yellow tail were established. There are vast numbers of a variety of large game fish in the waters surrounding the Island.
Geologically, this island is volcanic making for some fantastic sights. From the partially blown out crater, the flows of basalt, craggy mountains and sheer cliffs, it is really quite beautiful. The north end of the island reaches an altitude of 4200', high enough to trap clouds on most days (see photo). Guadalupe Island had pine and Guadalupe cypress trees that condensed cloud moisture into fresh water springs and which supported a variety of plants along the top ridge of the island. Goats brought to the island by sealers and failed ranches have destroyed most of the vegetation, picking the island clean, including most of the pines and cypress. These goats can often be seen approaching the shore in late afternoon, or on promontories and ridges throughout the day. In days past, fisherman would land on the island to hunt the goats providing a break from the constant diet of seafood.
	Guadalupe Island is an amazing place for many folks and critters, geologists, botanists, biologists, elephant seals, great white sharks...not to mention those goats that have done their part to help devastate the vegetation of the island.    Come with us and experience Guadalupe Island and all it's majesty and wonders for yourself!

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