Oceanic Mantas, Humpback Whales and Hammerheads… Welcome to Socorro!
Overall Rating
Superb cruise Magical silky sharks and hammerhead rays Would do it again. A great memory from the crew and a huge thank you to Maria who was fantastic.
Very nice cruise to SOCCORO
Did x 2 trips back to back in Socorro. Went to see mantas, and they were everywhere, every dive, all over the place! Plus 1 week w Dr Guy Stevens (Manta whisperer). I wasn't even expecting this: dive with humpback whale mama and baby!! It's very rare, but our trip got sooo lucky!
I had an excellent stay in Socorro with Nautilus/Seacrush. The quality of service on board is impeccable. The team is very dynamic and welcoming (the tips we leave are well worth it). We went there to see big sharks, and we were very well served. I wanted to see oceanic manta rays, and there were plenty of them. They are indeed larger than those I saw in the Maldives (the reef mantas there). Be careful, you shouldn't go there for the coral, the colors, and the small ones; they're very blue, hence the 2 stars. But it's sensational to see all these sharks of all kinds: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, dolphins, and manta rays galore. The price is a bit expensive in the end compared to Egypt or the Maldives, but you pay for the assurance of seeing big sharks every time on every dive. So it's worth it, but not affordable for everyone. You dive between 20 and 30 meters, sometimes in the current; you need a minimum of diving experience. The food was excellent. No complaints. Plan 2 to 3 hours before or after the cruise to board a boat off the marina to see humpback whales bobbing or mobula whales breaching.
Socorro is the must for diving with big...dolphins, Galapagos sharks, silkies, white tips galore and especially oceanic manta rays in abundance. Beautiful visibility, in short, an exceptional destination to recommend. However, not with this company which favors American beginner divers for the choice of the itinerary. In fact, we only did one day at Roca Partida, the best site because some divers had only 30 dives under their belt, which is insufficient for diving in the blue and in the current. In addition, the ratio of crew members (11) to the number of divers (25) is insufficient, which explains the overly large groups of 8 or 9 divers, which is not safe. No diving buddy assigned, so everyone dives more or less alone with the group of 8/9: unheard of! Not great food, no atmosphere on board, not even a party on December 31! Friendly crew but understaffed, the divemasters also taking turns driving the tenders. Comfortable boat nonetheless.
Why We Love It
From the moment you arrive in Los Cabos, you know you are in for an extraordinary adventure. Off the West Coast of Mexico, Socorro, also known as the "Revillagigedo Archipelago", is well-known among scientists who go there to study oceanic mantas and whale sharks. Many species of sharks, including hammerheads, are also present. From January to April, it is humpback whale season! Enter a fantastic world of volcanic islands and spectacular marine life... welcome to Socorro!
Conservation
The Guadalupe and Socorro Conservation Funds have supported scientific research and conservation work in the Sea of Cortez, at Socorro, Clipperton, and Guadalupe Islands since 2004. They also support various charities such as Dive into the Pink and PADI Project Aware.
Who Is It For?
For pelagic lovers and advanced divers who have seen it all already, this experience is for you. Also available on board are kayaks, paddle boards, an open air movie theater, and a hot tub.
Prices and Dates
NOTE: There is a crossing journey of 24 to 28 hours from/to Cabo San Lucas.
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Dive Briefing!
Marine Life
- Socorro Island is part of the Revillagigedos, a group of small islands off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.
- Depending on the season, you can see oceanic mantas, bottlenose dolphins and up to 10 varieties of sharks - schooling scalloped hammerheads, solitary giant hammerheads, Galápagos, whitetip reef, silver-tip, silky, tiger and oceanic whitetips, as well as humpback whales, whale sharks and bait balls in season.
- Dive sites: all dive sites are located in Socorro, San Benedicto and Roca Partida. Sites may change due to ocean conditions.
- All dives are planned and executed without decompression stops
Dive Conditions
- Season: from November to July: oceanic mantas, bottlenose dolphins and up to 10 species of sharks all these months. From January to April: Humpback whales. November-December and May to July: whale sharks.
- Currents: currents can be strong, and the sea, choppy.
- Visibility: 20 to 30 m (66 to 98 ft) on most days. Sometimes 15 meters (50 ft) or 45 meters (148 ft)
- Water Temperature: 23° to 26°C (73° to 79°F) with a peak of 28° (82°F) in November.
- Depth: deep dives mostly
The Team
- Dive operator with over 25 years of experience in the area
- 3 boats
- Guests dive into three different groups according to their level and preferences in guidance
- Dive courses possible with additional costs - ask us.
- Maximum divers per group: 10
- English-speaking crew
Safety Information
- Equipment Recommended: 5 to 7 mm wetsuit, dive computer, surface marker buoy (SMB), and a whistle. Go for the nitrox.
- Insurance: Both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN Europe that has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote.
- Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: San Jose del Cabo, Baja California, Mexico
Visas, Flights, and More!
Visa Requirements
- Many countries’ residents do not require a visa to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days.
- Please check the current visa policy that applies for your country on Mexico's Ministry of Tourism website.
How to Get There
- International flights to San Jose del Cabo (SJD), Mexico. We always recommend arriving and leaving one day before or after.
- Another option is going to Mexico City and taking an internal flight with Interjet (usually two flights a day, starting at $76 (about ... EUR) one way) or Aeromexico (usually six flights a day, starting at $170 (about ... EUR) one way).
- Make sure you have enough time for transfers between terminals and/or airports.
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- Bring sunscreen, a hat, mosquito repellent, a rash guard, and a sweater or light-weight jacket.
Destinations
Right Season
Dive Operators
Booking Fees
