Cabo Shark Dive — Attraction in City Centre

Most Disappointing Shark Dive Experience after being Misled & Lied to. Short Story: The crew seemed content with seeing ONE Silky shark after chumming for 3 hours, which left after about 5 minutes and never got near us. If the company would have been up front and honest that a “good” day is seeing ONE shark for a few minutes, I absolutely would not have gone nor would I have convinced 5 of my friends/family to spend their money to be taken out to the ocean to be extremely sick for 5 hours. Even the 5-star reviews make it clear that this is an “Excellent” day (I spent hours reading through them after my trip). I learned later that it was not the right season, although they claim the season is year-round. Second, I specifically emailed and asked about conditions beforehand, worried about a storm that had passed offshore, and was lied to that there would be “good conditions.” All I am asking for is a bit more transparency so that customers can have realistic expectations. As long as customers know what they are likely to get, I have no issue. But I was devastated that I had convinced all my friends and family to go with me because of what I expected based on their emails and website. I trusted them with our time and safety, and it turned out to be a terrible experience for everyone in my group and a huge disappointment for me.

Long story: Rough Sea Conditions: I had emailed them and expressed concern over a storm that had passed the day before we were scheduled to go. Other businesses had closed water activities for a few days because of rough conditions, and the port only opened again the morning we were scheduled. We had two older women in my group that were especially worried. Dave assured me by email “the storm has already passed” and the “surf will subside” so the morning “looks to be good conditions” (see the screenshot of my email). Surprise, that was not the case. The swells were at least 6 feet, and 5 out of the 6 people in our group were vomiting. We all took motion sickness medication beforehand. The photos they promised us were poor quality, probably due to the conditions.

Their website is very misleading, making it seem like you may very well swim with schools (“shivers”) of sharks on any given day. They say they provide the “world best snorkeling with sharks,” that you will dive with many species of sharkS (plural). Unfortunately, this is NOT the experience most customers have, even according to the “excellent” reviews on tripadvisor.

I’m shocked so many people gave 5 stars seeing ONE or NO sharks, perhaps they just don’t know any better. THIS IS WHAT EVERY CUSTOMER SHOULD BE TOLD TO EXPECT, since this is a typical day for them. If I had known, I absolutely would not have gone.

I have been diving with sharks many times, with pelagic migratory species, and this was by far the WORST experience I’ve had. In other locations (Florida, Australia, South Africa, Hawaii, etc.), you are surrounded by dozens of sharks after chumming the water for about an hour or so. Other companies are honest UP FRONT about what to expect and take people ONLY in the seasons you will see many sharks, and only locations they can all but guarantee sharks. Other companies, you are satisfied with what you see OR YOUR MONEY BACK. Not the case here.

I found out later from others in the Cabo diving community that it really is NOT THE SEASON to see lots of sharks, even though this company’s website claims that shark season is year-round. As a marine biologist, I should have known better and done my research- but some shark populations in other places really ARE year-round.

I appreciate what these guys do. I’ve worked on a research boat in South Africa chumming for sharks every day, so I understand that it’s nature and you may not always see sharks. BUT, I don’t think it’s right or fair to take customers’ money ($900 of ours) on days when they should know the sea will be very rough and it isn’t the peak season to see lots of sharks, at least not without telling the customers what they should...

We have booked 3 tours now with Cabo Shark Dive on 2 separate trips to Los Cabos. And I think we feel a little attached now.

The whole team at CSD is fantastic, they love what they do and they respect the wild. Our first trip with CSD (Dec 2018)was very good but disappointing as we didn’t get to see sharks (not to the tour companies fault). They did however bring us to see Mobula Rays - which we got to jump in 2 times with and it might have been the coolest experience that was so unexpected! Then on our journey to try to see sharks, we noticed a couple humpback whales which was so special. After-chumming for what felt like hours, then they tried for an extra hour, the decision was made that no sharks and we went back. The mood was sad but we understood. I would say our money was still well worth the time and efforts of the staff and to be on a boat all morning.

Our second tour was swimming with whale sharks in La Paz (dec 2018) - we were picked up early morning and off we went to La Paz to the experience of a lifetime. I can’t even describe how cool it is to swim aside whale sharks - do this tour!!

Third tour we came back to Los Cabos and just had to try to see the sharks again (May 2019) - well I don’t know how best to describe how lucky we feel now. Professional photographers and divers come from everywhere specifically to dive again and again with CSD and we found out why on this trip. It took about 1-2 hours to chum for the sharks but once they came they didn’t stop (2 hammerheads, 2 silkies and 2 makos) this was incredible and so much fun!! - proudly get to wear our Shark Diving T-shirts now :)

Bring a good attitude, be prepared for it to not go as you expect sometimes but be respectful and thankful for the opportunity to see any wildlife in their natural habitat. We’ve connected with the photographers from all of these trips and it’s amazing to see the experiences they have from around the world, it makes sense why they also choose CSD when they come for an adventure!

We’ll see you guys next time we come...

In response to the 2 Star review a proper response to the one provided by the owner is necessary. I can absolutely appreciate the concept of introducing people to sharks and marine life in their natural habitat and understand interactions are never guaranteed. However the experience the owner and I discussed and agreed too before booking this private excursion did not even come close to the excursion we experienced. With that said I want to stress how much we enjoyed spending time aboard the boat with Clara and Miguel. They were both knowledgeable and enjoyable. However lets clarify, during our discussions we were promised lunch and flexibility such as snorkeling even so recommending snorkeling with rays that are migrating through. Yes we had a biologist on board but they do not hold a PHD as suggested in your response. We spent the first 20 minutes on board photographing jumping rays and then heading off to wait for sharks which we very briefly (5 secs at most) saw 3 hammer heads, we then had a seaturtle approach our boat for a bit. We then waited until the last hour of the excursion where my husband asked if we can snorkel somewhere because clearly we weren’t having luck. Our guides suggested we wait a bit longer in case more sharks come. After we were taken to a snorkeling location we’re my children enjoyed jumping off a large rock for less than 30 minutes. Only at that time did the photographer take a photo of them. I’m especially aware of this because I have several time stamped photos showing the photographers camera sitting by me the entire excursion as well as video. Now I have never provided an online review I feel this misappropriated information is a significant stretch from the truth. Ultimately I was promised an unforgettable experience trusting the owners word. Unfortunately we weren’t provided lunch, very little snorkeling time, no shark experiences and leaving with a ton of regret from waisting our time and money. I’m happy to provide all email communications as well as photos to validate the...