Socorro Nautilus under sea Liveaboard 12 to 20 november 2024
Come and dive the Revillagidedos 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 12 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.
We are using the excellent Nautilus Under Sea, to travel in comfort and luxury, with great food and service.
The Under Sea was originally a Cocos Island liveaboard, and is the favourite Socorro boat in the Nautilus Fleet according the crew we have spoken to on our numerous Nautilus trips.
PRICING
$3890 USD per person for a shared standard stateroom, and $425 park fees. - 1 spots left - NOW $3400 plus park fees
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.
We are using the excellent Nautilus Under Sea, to travel in comfort and luxury, with great food and service.
The Under Sea was originally a Cocos Island liveaboard, and is the favourite Socorro boat in the Nautilus Fleet according the crew we have spoken to on our numerous Nautilus trips.
PRICING
$3890 USD per person for a shared standard stateroom, and $425 park fees. - 1 spots left - NOW $3400 plus park fees
The Revillagigedo Islands (pronounced Rev-ee-aa-he-hee-do) consist of a group of four islands: San Benedicto, Socorro, Roca Partita and Clarion. But usually only the first three are visited on week-long trips due to the extra day’s travel (one way) to the more remote Clarion. There are no permanent settlements on the Islands except for a small Naval detachment on Socorro, with a daylight airstrip.
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.
You go to Socorro to dive with giant mantas, first and foremost. The mantas of Socorro are true giant mantas, Mobula 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 across, 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 and 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.
While mantas are the main reason to voyage out to Socorro, there are lots of other animals to see, including schooling hammerheads and silky sharks, plus 12 other species of sharks, bottlenose dolphins that consistently hang out with divers at certain dive sites, large schools of pelagic fish, and some giant yellowfin tuna.
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.
You go to Socorro to dive with giant mantas, first and foremost. The mantas of Socorro are true giant mantas, Mobula 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 across, 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 and 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.
While mantas are the main reason to voyage out to Socorro, there are lots of other animals to see, including schooling hammerheads and silky sharks, plus 12 other species of sharks, bottlenose dolphins that consistently hang out with divers at certain dive sites, large schools of pelagic fish, and some giant yellowfin tuna.
socorro dive sites
SAN BENEDICTO ISLAND
Fondeadero is often used as a check out dive spot, since its usually calm and not too deep. Expect lots of fish, including some small Groupers, lobsters, black tip reef sharks.
The Canyon Mantas ! We also always see plenty of sharks here, including Silvertips, Galapagos, Scalloped Hammerheads and Silkies.
El Boiler The mantas are equally prolific and friendly, but there is more. 15 years ago the dolphins started emulating the mantas when the grandma of the local pod of divers ended up in the arms of dive guide Sten. We now get pod interaction with the bottlenose dolphins on almost every trip.
Fondeadero is often used as a check out dive spot, since its usually calm and not too deep. Expect lots of fish, including some small Groupers, lobsters, black tip reef sharks.
The Canyon Mantas ! We also always see plenty of sharks here, including Silvertips, Galapagos, Scalloped Hammerheads and Silkies.
El Boiler The mantas are equally prolific and friendly, but there is more. 15 years ago the dolphins started emulating the mantas when the grandma of the local pod of divers ended up in the arms of dive guide Sten. We now get pod interaction with the bottlenose dolphins on almost every trip.
ROCA PARTIDA
It's one big dive site. Normally we spend two days here, because of the richness of the site. It’s famous for its superabundant Whitetip Reef sharks, and dozens of them can be found resting on the balconies (bowl-shaped cavities) in the rock on the west side. Expect to see large schools of horse-eye and cottonmouth jacks, and Tunas hunting, and more sharks. Mantas are also frequently seen here. The pinnacle can be circumnavigated in a single dive if the currents allow. A visually stunning site underwater!. One of my favourite underwater scenes in the world.
It's one big dive site. Normally we spend two days here, because of the richness of the site. It’s famous for its superabundant Whitetip Reef sharks, and dozens of them can be found resting on the balconies (bowl-shaped cavities) in the rock on the west side. Expect to see large schools of horse-eye and cottonmouth jacks, and Tunas hunting, and more sharks. Mantas are also frequently seen here. The pinnacle can be circumnavigated in a single dive if the currents allow. A visually stunning site underwater!. One of my favourite underwater scenes in the world.
SOCORRO ISLAND
Socorro Island is the largest of the islands, and located about 117 km East of Roca Partida. This is where the boats go to check-in, get boarded and inspected by the Mexican Navy (west side). This process can take up to several hours, and you will have to give up a dive for it.
To make up for this loss of a dive we get a unique night snorkel with Silky sharks at Socorro. The sharks that hang around the boat are small, about one meter. They are attracted to the Flying fish which are in turn drawn by the ambient light from the ship, especially bright lights. You can see the sharks at any given time at night splashing around and chasing them. But this is why you are no longer permitted to take a dive light with you, even mounted on a camera, as the Silkies behave more unpredictably when chasing prey. So you will have to photograph in ambient light, which is fun.
Cabo Pearce is a place to expect silky sharks, whitetip reef sharks, oceanic manta rays, scalloped hammerhead shark encounters, garnished with the Galapagos shark.
Punta Tosca is a lovely site and we often see mantas here as well as dolphins, assorted sharks including the odd tiger shark (it has more tiger shark sightings here than any other place in the islas). It also has more coral coverage than the other sites on the trip.
Socorro Island is the largest of the islands, and located about 117 km East of Roca Partida. This is where the boats go to check-in, get boarded and inspected by the Mexican Navy (west side). This process can take up to several hours, and you will have to give up a dive for it.
To make up for this loss of a dive we get a unique night snorkel with Silky sharks at Socorro. The sharks that hang around the boat are small, about one meter. They are attracted to the Flying fish which are in turn drawn by the ambient light from the ship, especially bright lights. You can see the sharks at any given time at night splashing around and chasing them. But this is why you are no longer permitted to take a dive light with you, even mounted on a camera, as the Silkies behave more unpredictably when chasing prey. So you will have to photograph in ambient light, which is fun.
Cabo Pearce is a place to expect silky sharks, whitetip reef sharks, oceanic manta rays, scalloped hammerhead shark encounters, garnished with the Galapagos shark.
Punta Tosca is a lovely site and we often see mantas here as well as dolphins, assorted sharks including the odd tiger shark (it has more tiger shark sightings here than any other place in the islas). It also has more coral coverage than the other sites on the trip.
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.
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 Undersea, 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.
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 Undersea, 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.
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)
"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)
socorro dive itinerary
Day 1
Complimentary Backscatter photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas. 8pm boarding.
Day 2
Traveling and relaxing at sea. It’s a one day run out to the islands. Cocktail hour. Sunsets. Arrive at San Benedicto Island by evening.
Days 3-7
Over five full dive days, you will be able to experience some of our favourite sites such as El Canyon, the Boiler, Red Rocks, Roca Partida, Cabo Pearse, Punta Tosca and Roca Oneal. Average of four dives a day. Expect to see the friendliest giant mantas in the world, bottlenose dolphins, up to ten species of sharks and loads of fish. We will also have other activities to keep you busy such as kayaking and paddle boarding. Or simply relax in our hot tub.
Day 8
Early morning voyage back to Cabo San Lucas. Great time to look back on all your photos and videos, connect with new friends or simply relax during the journey back.
Day 9
Disembark at 8:30am in Cabo.
Complimentary Backscatter photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas. 8pm boarding.
Day 2
Traveling and relaxing at sea. It’s a one day run out to the islands. Cocktail hour. Sunsets. Arrive at San Benedicto Island by evening.
Days 3-7
Over five full dive days, you will be able to experience some of our favourite sites such as El Canyon, the Boiler, Red Rocks, Roca Partida, Cabo Pearse, Punta Tosca and Roca Oneal. Average of four dives a day. Expect to see the friendliest giant mantas in the world, bottlenose dolphins, up to ten species of sharks and loads of fish. We will also have other activities to keep you busy such as kayaking and paddle boarding. Or simply relax in our hot tub.
Day 8
Early morning voyage back to Cabo San Lucas. Great time to look back on all your photos and videos, connect with new friends or simply relax during the journey back.
Day 9
Disembark at 8:30am in Cabo.
