Socorro Nautilus Explorer Liveboard 10 to 19 March 2019
Come and dive the Revillagidedo Islands Archipelago with a bunch of cool and friendly divers. See giant mantas up close, interact with dolphins whilst you scuba dive, scuba dive with humpback whales, the only place in the world you can do this, and see up to 10 species of shark on this 8-night trip.
The trip is escorted by underwater and wildlife photojournalist Christopher Bartlett, owner of Indigo Safaris, who will gladly help you improve your photography skills with free personal coaching. Free daily yoga on board.
We are using the excellent Nautilus Explorer again, taking the whole boat, to travel in comfort and luxury, with great food and service.
One of the very best liveaboards we have been on.
$3295 USD per person in a shared triple stateroom plus 5 % tax, and $65 park fees.$3795 USD per person for a shared standard stateroom plus 5 % tax, and $65 park fees. TWO BERTHS LEFT
$4745 USD for a single stateroom plus 5 % tax, $65 park fees. TWO CABINS LEFT
$4895 USD per person for the Premium stateroom with it's own lounge and a bath in the bathroom, plus 5 % tax, and $65 park fees.
Nitrox $20 per dive day. ONE CABIN LEFT
The Revillagigedos Islands Archipelago, of which Socorro is one of the islands, possesses an absolutely unique ecosystem with many endemic plant and animal species. That is why the Archipelago is often called Mexico’s Galapagos. Indeed, it is as remote, as diverse, as pristine, and, even less inhabited than Ecuador’s pearl. For divers, this is the place to go for unforgettable manta diving, which is as unique as the Archipelago itself. This is the only place on Earth where you can – guaranteed – dive and interact with giant mantas.
People go to Socorro to dive with giant mantas, and this is by no means a trivial goal. Mantas of Socorro are true giant mantas, Manta birostris (aka manta ray), and should not be confused with the regular and smaller Mobula species, which can be seen far more often and practically everywhere. The giant Pacific mantas which you will meet at Socorro are the largest of the rays and, probably, the most majestic creatures in the ocean. They swim by moving their wing-like pectoral fins, which can grow up to 9 meters wide, but usually average around 7 meters. They are very acrobatic, able to leap high from the water, and at Socorro, these giants choose to interact with divers! They come in very close - less than 1 meter! - make eye contact with you and then swim along beside you - totally on their terms. What is even more extraordinary, mantas will often wait at the dive site while you take your surface interval and be there to greet you on your next dive.
Shark-viewing is also very good at Socorro Island with common sightings of silky, galapagos, hammerhead, whitetip and silvertip sharks. Whale sharks are usually spotted in the first part of the season, followed by whale season when a population of 1200 humpbacks move into the island's waters and then Bait Ball season with crazy critter activity.
We also see pilot whales and sometimes false killer whales.
Trip extension to see mako sharks and smooth hammerheads currently in planning.
What other divers say:
"Had a pod of dolphins waiting to greet us. Hammerheads waiting for us at the cleaning stations. 3 mantas came in to distract us during what might have been the funnest safety stop ever. They swooped and dove and bumped several divers. Amazing dive." (Steve)
"Absolutely awesome, almost orgasmic. Pacific diving at its best!" (Kirk)
"A landscape from another planet… You really are not prepared for the scale of these graceful giants." (Sue)
"Unbelievable! And they are huge!!!" (Bobby)
"It is always interesting to be up at dawn as we arrive and guests see Roca Partida for the first time. My two favorite quotes are “I thought you were kidding” and “You’ve got to be crazy.” "(Tricia)
Diving Conditions: Visibility is very good, 10 meters on a bad day (and we will then move the dive site) and up to 40 meters. Very blue water. Current varies from none to medium. Water temperature: 28 degrees Celsius in November dropping to 21 degrees Celsius in February and then rising to 25 degrees Celsius by May.
Diving Experience: Beginner to intermediate. All dives are assisted by a divemaster. Skiff pick-ups are available on all dives. Descent/ascent line provided on all dives except at Roca Partida (wall diving).
Sea Conditions: Sometimes the seas during the crossing are flat calm. Occasionally (maybe once per season) we experience 3-meter seas. Average seas are 1.5 - 2 meters, which is no problem for the Nautilus Explorer, especially if guests use the scopolamine patch. Most anchorages are sheltered and calm, but it's important to note that diving at Roca Partida is staged in open ocean. Each trip itinerary is planned around the best possible diving conditions at this amazing little pinnacle in the middle of nowhere, in 11,000 feet of water.
The trip is escorted by underwater and wildlife photojournalist Christopher Bartlett, owner of Indigo Safaris, who will gladly help you improve your photography skills with free personal coaching. Free daily yoga on board.
We are using the excellent Nautilus Explorer again, taking the whole boat, to travel in comfort and luxury, with great food and service.
One of the very best liveaboards we have been on.
$3295 USD per person in a shared triple stateroom plus 5 % tax, and $65 park fees.$3795 USD per person for a shared standard stateroom plus 5 % tax, and $65 park fees. TWO BERTHS LEFT
$4745 USD for a single stateroom plus 5 % tax, $65 park fees. TWO CABINS LEFT
$4895 USD per person for the Premium stateroom with it's own lounge and a bath in the bathroom, plus 5 % tax, and $65 park fees.
Nitrox $20 per dive day. ONE CABIN LEFT
The Revillagigedos Islands Archipelago, of which Socorro is one of the islands, possesses an absolutely unique ecosystem with many endemic plant and animal species. That is why the Archipelago is often called Mexico’s Galapagos. Indeed, it is as remote, as diverse, as pristine, and, even less inhabited than Ecuador’s pearl. For divers, this is the place to go for unforgettable manta diving, which is as unique as the Archipelago itself. This is the only place on Earth where you can – guaranteed – dive and interact with giant mantas.
People go to Socorro to dive with giant mantas, and this is by no means a trivial goal. Mantas of Socorro are true giant mantas, Manta birostris (aka manta ray), and should not be confused with the regular and smaller Mobula species, which can be seen far more often and practically everywhere. The giant Pacific mantas which you will meet at Socorro are the largest of the rays and, probably, the most majestic creatures in the ocean. They swim by moving their wing-like pectoral fins, which can grow up to 9 meters wide, but usually average around 7 meters. They are very acrobatic, able to leap high from the water, and at Socorro, these giants choose to interact with divers! They come in very close - less than 1 meter! - make eye contact with you and then swim along beside you - totally on their terms. What is even more extraordinary, mantas will often wait at the dive site while you take your surface interval and be there to greet you on your next dive.
Shark-viewing is also very good at Socorro Island with common sightings of silky, galapagos, hammerhead, whitetip and silvertip sharks. Whale sharks are usually spotted in the first part of the season, followed by whale season when a population of 1200 humpbacks move into the island's waters and then Bait Ball season with crazy critter activity.
We also see pilot whales and sometimes false killer whales.
Trip extension to see mako sharks and smooth hammerheads currently in planning.
What other divers say:
"Had a pod of dolphins waiting to greet us. Hammerheads waiting for us at the cleaning stations. 3 mantas came in to distract us during what might have been the funnest safety stop ever. They swooped and dove and bumped several divers. Amazing dive." (Steve)
"Absolutely awesome, almost orgasmic. Pacific diving at its best!" (Kirk)
"A landscape from another planet… You really are not prepared for the scale of these graceful giants." (Sue)
"Unbelievable! And they are huge!!!" (Bobby)
"It is always interesting to be up at dawn as we arrive and guests see Roca Partida for the first time. My two favorite quotes are “I thought you were kidding” and “You’ve got to be crazy.” "(Tricia)
Diving Conditions: Visibility is very good, 10 meters on a bad day (and we will then move the dive site) and up to 40 meters. Very blue water. Current varies from none to medium. Water temperature: 28 degrees Celsius in November dropping to 21 degrees Celsius in February and then rising to 25 degrees Celsius by May.
Diving Experience: Beginner to intermediate. All dives are assisted by a divemaster. Skiff pick-ups are available on all dives. Descent/ascent line provided on all dives except at Roca Partida (wall diving).
Sea Conditions: Sometimes the seas during the crossing are flat calm. Occasionally (maybe once per season) we experience 3-meter seas. Average seas are 1.5 - 2 meters, which is no problem for the Nautilus Explorer, especially if guests use the scopolamine patch. Most anchorages are sheltered and calm, but it's important to note that diving at Roca Partida is staged in open ocean. Each trip itinerary is planned around the best possible diving conditions at this amazing little pinnacle in the middle of nowhere, in 11,000 feet of water.
