When we were ON the boat, we heard they hadn't seen sharks all season and after probing, we found out the chances of us actually seeing a great white were around 40% (and I think that was generous). The service was great and the people were great, but it's too much money to spend when they don't chum or do anything (other than throw carpet cut-out's in to the water that are shaped like seals) to get the sharks to come. The water visibility on the day we were there was about 5' even though the day was beautiful/sunny and the water was fairly calm, so I can't imagine it's ever very clear. We went in the cage--in 55 degree water--and just waited, looking at our own bubbles because we couldn't see any further. If a shark WOULD have shown up, we would have flipped because we wouldn't have seen it coming! Anyway, they offered as a 'free topside' in the future since we didn't see any sharks (1/2 the value of what we originally paid for), so all in all, after about a $1500/weekend with flights, hotels, car and trip, it was only a financial adventure that ended in regret. If anyone wants to see great whites, go where your chances are better, like Guadalupe island or S. Africa--it would be much more worth it!

Great White Adventures, Alameda CA. Leaving Emeryville CA.
10-09-07
From Scuba diver member,Mokena,IL

First let me tell you that Great White Adventures will tell you that they have an 80 percent success rate at the Farallon Islands Site. This is NOT TRUE. Of the 13 divers and topside observers only one got a quick glimpse of the tail of a shark. No one else saw it or any other shark. the captain said he saw one on his underwater camera.I heard him radio in that this was a successful trip and that two sharks were observed.?! They dont tell you that visibility from the cage is only 5-10 feet max. the only way you will see a shark from the cage is if it swims directly in front of it. They said the day before was a success because a shark swam by the boat. That was it. One 20 second glimpse and it was considered a success. IF YOU WANT TO PAY 775.00 FOR A LONG COLD BOAT RIDE THEN BOOK WITH THEM.

I recently took a trip to the Farallons with Great White Adventures on Monday Oct 1, 2007. I as well as all the other members of the group were disappointed for the fact that we saw minimal/no shark activity (10 minutes after an attack with blood on surface). The website is misleading regarding the methods used to entice sharks to come in close or become visible. There was no mention regarding the new rules surrounding what techniques are permitted in the sanctuary. When they express "decoys" on your website they are always being towed behind the boat as seen in your video. Unfortunately they did not tow the decoy or chum the water. It floated like a piece of cardboard. We sat in a cage in water with 5 feet visibility and saw absolutely nothing!. After speaking with the divemaster, he expressed to us that towing the decoys worked "too" well and that they cannot do anything to entice them to bring them closer. Too Well? That is what we are there to see!
It is unfortunate that they do not have any policy in place to get individuals out onto the boat for another opportunity or offer any kind of discount. Flying from Boston I am already $1300 and 4 days invested in a trip that I would not recommend to any of my adventure friends. In fact I have gone out of my way to deter some friends looking to do the same.
I think that 3 years ago before the rules of engagement changed i.e. chumming or baiting/trolling with decoys, it would have been a great opportunity to see sharks. They need to change their 80% hit rate to the 30% that our captain expressed as "realistic" and post a new video that was shot after 2004. If doing anything to provoke shark attacks because of changing their eating habits is being prevented by researchers on the island, I certainly would't be a currier for their mail as they waited for them to exchange letters to be brought back to the mainland. VERY DISSAPOINTING. Additionally they lost my paperwork I mailed to them and did not acommodate my friend with his food alergy. (dairy).
I wrote them when I returned and they made no effort to write back and so I am on a mission to warn others before they decide to make a poor decision to spend any money with them.
I attached a photo for reference. That Jellyfish was 3 feet away and not very visible. They day was clear and calm so I cannot imagine the vis gets any better.

Just returned from a day out at the Farallon Islands with Great White Adventures. My group did not see any Great Whites however we did see lots of wildlife as expected. I went into the trip with extremely low expectations after I had completed my own research. The pictures on the company's web site would lead one to believe that fish is dangled from above the water etc. to lure in the shark however this is not allowed due to the area being a natural preserve - which is a good thing. If only the dive master and staff would have stated truths from the beginning of the trip I would not have a bitter taste in my mouth. For example, the dive master told the group the day before Great White Sharks were plentiful and went on to describe the sizes of sharks that were seen from the surface as well as the shark cage. Then the captain told us the day before was horrible weather and no sharks were spotted. I was insulted and disgusted by the lying from the tour company as the conflicting stories went on. People on the tour were laughing at the staff and whispering that they should get their stories straight with each other as they look foolish. As well the companies DVD was shown at the end of the day. The DVD showed trolling and fish baiting from the Farallon Islands, when I asked why they would have that misrepresentation on a DVD (as stated previously they are not allowed to use those tactics) the dive master looked annoyed and didn't answer my question.

The deck hand gave a brief speech at the start of the trip...I think something about safety but we couldn't hear her. She had zero personality and no knowledge of the area we were going to. She asked the dive master why she couldn't dangle fish to get the sharks to come up.

In summation the issues that I encountered were not the lack of Great Whites...as one cannot blame mother nature. It was the lying from the tour staff (dive master specifically). And the miss-representation from the website.

I don't think I could recommend this tour company in good faith. Save your money and go to South Africa!!! However if this is your only choice go in with extremely low expectations and you'll be satisfied!!!