"This was an absolutely unforgettable experience! From start to finish, the crew was professional, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel completely safe and comfortable. Their passion for the ocean and the sharks was clear in everything they did."
Verified Review
Launching from Mission Bay, this offshore expedition takes you 15–30 miles into the blue-water zone where pelagic sharks cruise through California’s open Pacific. You’ll ride out on a fast 25’ RIB, get a full safety and shark behavior briefing, then slip into the water with professional shark naturalists, safety divers, and conservation-minded crew. It’s a real-deal, weather-and-wildlife-dependent adventure - more National Geographic than aquarium - but that’s what makes it unforgettable.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 15 and up.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Must be comfortable snorkeling in open ocean
WHAT TO BRING
Required Gear: Mask, fins, 5 or 7mm wetsuit (rentals available—reserve in advance)
CANCELLATION POLICY
You can cancel your booking up to two weeks before the trip and receive a full refund.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.9★ from 86+ reviews on Google
Reviews consistently call this trip “the real thing”—well organized, professional, and way more intimate than big-boat snorkel tours. Guests love the small group size (usually 6), the clear safety briefings, and how calm the crew stays once sharks show up. Many mention seeing multiple blue sharks and, in season, makos sweeping in fast, plus bonus wildlife (dolphins, sunfish, birds). People also appreciate that the guides don’t oversell sightings: it’s open ocean, nature-first, but when it pops, it’s a bucket-list day.
"What an amazing shark diving experience! The crew were very fun and knowledgeable and made for a save encounter with our mako shark. They went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable and had a good time we even saw two pods of dolphins which our captain made sure we got up close to see! Definitely will be returning for another adventure! If you’re thinking about doing a shark dive here please do it! It is always worth it!"
Verified Review
A Professional, Safe & Sustainable Shark Encounter
Duration: 6 hours
About
Dive into the ultimate shark adventure off the coast of San Diego! Our Shark Expedition offers a cageless, safe, and eco-conscious snorkeling experience with pelagic sharks in their natural habitat.
Your Vessel
Travel aboard Aretai, our custom 25' RIB, designed for speed, stability, and comfort on offshore waters. This small-group expedition provides an intimate and exclusive encounter with blue and mako sharks, all while maintaining the highest safety and conservation standards.
Who Can Join?
✔️ No scuba experience required—snorkeling only!
✔️ Suitable for beginners and intermediates who are comfortable swimming in open water.
✔️ Moderate physical fitness is recommended.
Departure & Return
📍 Seaforth Marina, Mission Bay, San Diego
📩 Exact location & boarding details sent via email after booking.
What's Included?
- Professional shark naturalist & safety divers
- Beverages & healthy snacks
- Unmatched small-group experience
What to Bring
- Required Gear: Mask, fins, 5 or 7mm wetsuit (rentals available—reserve in advance)
- Warm clothing & towel for after the dive
- Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses & a hat
- Seasickness medication (if prone—take the night before & morning of)
Important Details
⚠️ Minimum 3 participants required. If we don’t meet the minimum, you can:
- Purchase an additional spot
- Reschedule
- Receive a full refund
⚠️ Wildlife Disclaimer: This is a true open-ocean adventure—while we maximize your chances, shark sightings are not guaranteed due to the natural unpredictability of marine life.
Exclusions
❌ Snorkeling gear rental (available upon request)
❌ Gratuities (Never expected but always appreciated!)Net Zero Expeditions is a conservation-forward shark operator in San Diego that runs pelagic trips year-round out of Mission Bay. They are led by shark filmmakers, marine science guides, and USCG-licensed captains who specialize in cageless blue and mako encounters, with small groups on fast RIBs and safety divers in the water the whole time. Their approach is closer to a field expedition than a casual snorkel tour, with science-based briefings, respectful shark behavior, real offshore locations, and a strong safety record.
Check in 30 minutes early at Seaforth Marina, Mission Bay, San Diego; exact slip and captain details are sent after booking.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change unexpectedly. To help you make informed decisions and provide a smooth booking experience, we have outlined our cancellation policy below.
Full payment is required at the time of booking to reserve your expedition.
You can cancel your booking up to two weeks before the trip and receive a full refund.
Single whale watch tickets can be canceled for a full refund if the request is made at least 24 hours before the trip start, the official cutoff time is 8:30Am PST.
For cancellations made between two weeks and eight days before the trip, we will refund up to 60% of the ticket cost.
For cancellations made between seven days and 49 hours before the trip, we will refund up to 40% of the ticket cost.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of the expedition.
No-Show Policy
If you fail to show up for your scheduled expedition:
Unfortunately, we are unable to issue any refunds or reschedule your trip due to the operational costs and reserved space. However, you are always welcome to book another trip at your convenience (Subject to availability)
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Into the Blue: A Pelagic Shark Day off San Diego
If you only know San Diego from beaches and fish tacos, the offshore world will feel like another country. Twenty-something miles out, the water turns that deep Pacific electric blue, the coastline smears into a low line of haze, and suddenly you’re in the neighborhood of blue and mako sharks—the fast, elegant, big-water predators that almost no one sees from shore. This isn’t a theme park. It’s a RIB, a captain who does this for a living, and a handful of people who wanted to meet sharks on the sharks’ terms.
The day starts slow and methodical. You ride out on the 25’ Zodiac—low to the water, steady, made for this kind of run. The crew explains shark behavior, how to enter the water, what not to do (no flailing, no chasing, no hero shots that spook the animal). A light slick goes out; everyone watches the water. Then the first shadow slides in from the blue—thin, impossibly clean, moving with zero wasted motion. A blue shark. You realize how much of ocean life is about patience.
It felt less like a tour and more like being invited to watch how the Pacific really works - sharks first, people second.
Once you’re in the water, everything gets quiet. No reef. No bottom. Just midwater, the rhythm of your breath, and a shark cruising a few feet below, rolling an eye to look at you. Guides stay in the water, keeping the group tight, reading the animal, watching for faster guests—the makos that sometimes show up like silver missiles, do a few fast investigative loops, and vanish again. On the best days, you get both: the dreamy, slow circling blues, and the hit-and-run thrill of a mako.
What sticks with people isn’t fear—it’s respect. You see healthy sharks doing what healthy sharks do, and you realize how rare that is in 2025. The crew talks conservation, bycatch, how pelagic sharks are hammered globally, and why responsible in-water tourism actually helps. Then you climb back on the boat, wrap up in a warm jacket, eat snacks, and the city comes slowly back into view. But now San Diego isn’t just a beach town anymore. It’s a launch point into real ocean.