A short while back, we were on assignment diving and filming the humboldt squid that inhabit the Baja waters close by to the Dive Center. This is not a dive for the faint of heart, but is great fun at the same time. The local fisherman call them “Diablo Rojo” or “Red Devil” as they have a reputation more fearsome, and as much unfounded, as the Shark. That isn’t to say that these creatures are not to be respected, but a dive with them is very much something to add to your ‘Honey-Do’ list.

To dive with them, we first jig to bring them to the surface, then the divers have to be attached to the boat above to stop being potentially pulled down deeper by the squid, so we use a harness directly attached to the boat. Then the diver simply hangs in mid water at about 12m/40ft and films, watches and plays with the squid. Now unlike most videos you see online about them, we are/were able to film them in the day – this makes for an experience that isn’t quite as nerve-wracking and opens the experience up for more people.

Okay, well “plays with” is really a misnomer as they come in and out of view, approach, sometimes lock on, and disappear just as quick. It is them “playing” with us really. This is something that is quite new for us here at Cortez Explorers, but something that we will be pursuing into 2010 and beyond.

When one sees these animals cannibalizing each other in front of your mask, one feels quite amazed, to say the least!! Unfortunately, we have no video from the dives as it is rights protected, but next time we go it will be for ourselves, (and you)!

Sure, we would really prefer you come with us to dive with Whale Sharks and Mantas in Baja, but we would be remiss if we did not tell you about the offer that the Georgia Aquarium is selling for about $325; Yes, you can dive in their big tank with the Whale Sharks and Mantas!

They are in a tank, right? So no need to worry if they are not there, or have migrated South for better hunting grounds. The other animals you experience are Hammerheads, Napoleon wrasse as well as countless reef species. The are all right there, in front of you without the need for $3000 live-a-board or looong 14 hour flights to remote destinations – they are right THERE.

There is a great write-up and review that can be found here (scubanews.com). The Georgia Aquarium also has a direct link to this program, that can be found here (georgiaaquarium.org).

So if you want to be guaranteed Whale Sharks, I would suggest that this is the place to go!