SOCORRO
Location Revillagigedos - Mexico
Duration 8 nights
Vessel Nautilus Explorer
Level from Advanced Open Water
Manta Expert TBC
HIGHLIGHTS
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Best place in the world to dive with the inquisitive giant oceanic manta rays!
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Known as the Galapagos of Mexico, the Revillagigedos archipelago is a magnet for pelagic marine animals and a heaven for megafauna enthusiasts!
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Home to over 10 different species of sharks including Galapagos, silky, tiger, hammerhead, white tip reef and whale sharks
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Schooling hammerheads often seen in large numbers
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Regular encounters with pods of playful bottlenose dolphins
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Possible encounters with humpback whales between January and April​​
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Remote and pristine offering a sense of exclusivity and untouched marine environments
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Learn from your dedicated Manta Trust expert through tailored marine biology presentations
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Participate in workshops & help scientists collect meaningful data to further manta ray research and conservation!
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Oceanic mantas
Bottlenose dolphins
Hammerheads
The Revillagigedo Islands (also erroneously known as the Socorro Islands) are a group of four volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean that lie 250 miles off Baja Mexico’s southern shore. They are known for their unique ecosystem and are sometimes called Mexico’s “little Galapagos”.
These islands are a spectacular magnet for the largest pelagic marine species in the world. Schooling hammerhead, tiger, silky sharks, dolphins, clouds of jacks and barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays to name a few.
Mantas are the claim to fame for the Revillagigedo Islands, with reliable sightings throughout the season. The magical dive site called “The Boiler” on San Benedicto Island is a submerged seamount and cleaning station. More than a half dozen Mantas can be seen at a time at this pinnacle, where they often interact with divers for hours at a time. The mantas here are incredibly friendly and inquisitive and seem to enjoy the presence of humans. This is truly an exceptional place to get the full manta experience!
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The detailed diving itinerary will be decided on a daily basis taking into consideration the weather and the presence of other liveaboards in the area to minimise overcrowding the sites. During the expedition will however certainly be visiting three of the four islands of the Revillagigedos archipelago which are Socorro, San Benedicto and Roca Partida and dive famous dive sites such as "Punta Tosca", "Cabo Pearce", "El Canyon", "El Boiler" and "Roca Partida" in order to offer a wide variety of diving and maximise the chances of unforgettable encounters!
This destination can only be dived by a liveaboard dive vessel. It takes approximately 30 hours each way to reach the islands. The underwater topography consists of rocky outcroppings, boulders and some walls, but the true highlight is the incredible density of large pelagic species in an epic, open-ocean setting.​​
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A TYPICAL ITINERARY
Day 1:
1pm Complimentary photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures dive centre in Cabo San Lucas.
7pm Check-in at SeaCreatures dive centre.
8pm boarding.
Day 2:
Traveling and relaxing at sea. It’s a one day run out to the Revillagigedos islands. During the day there will be an orientation and safety briefing, a presentation by the onboard Manta Experts and plenty of time to relax while onroute.
7pm Cocktail hour and sunset as we arrive at San Benedicto Island by evening.
Day 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. We will do our best to provide 4 dives a day subject to other dive boats being onsite, weather and only 3 dives on the day of mandatory inspection by the Mexican navy. Expect to see the friendliest giant mantas in the world, bottlenose dolphins, up to 12 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.
Daily workshops & presentations by onboard Manta Experts​
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.
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Day 9:
Check-out at 8:30am in Cabo
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The Manta Expedition was an
epic trip from start to finish
great people, diving and boat!
Guest, Socorro 2023
MEET YOUR MANTA EXPERTS
As on all Socorro Manta Expeditions, two Manta Trust scientists will be onboard for its entire duration, offering everyone the opportunity to interact and learn from leading manta experts. The presence of Manta Trust scientists onboard will enhance your experience in a number of ways: • motivate and inspire you, by learning about the marine ecosystems you will be exploring • gain access to an accumulated wealth of knowledge and expertise, providing you the opportunity to become actively involved in cutting-edge scientific research. • offer you an educational and much more rewarding experience by making your underwater encounters more personal, and by involving you first-hand in marine research and conservation. • be environmentally aware and proactive and become an active member of an initiative which stands to have strong implications for the on-going persistence for manta rays worldwide. Collectively the Manta Trust and Manta Expeditions teams possess over three decades of experience working globally, studying manta populations and marine life and have assembled a vast amount of knowledge and expertise, knowledge you will have access to on this expedition. A core focus of the expeditions is not only to provide close encounters with manta rays but to enthuse and educate divers in marine conservation issues and the environment surrounding them. Through a series of activities and presentations on topics covering local marine species and habitats led by the Manta Trust expert, you are sure to leave with an increased awareness of the threats facing our oceans and, perhaps more importantly, how you can help. Using the knowledge of the Manta Trust scientists you will gain a brand-new perspective to diving and experiencing the underwater world; by understanding what you see you will gain a better appreciation and love for the ocean and its creatures. Ultimately, with the guidance of the Manta Trust researcher you will have the chance to give something back to the ocean which we believe is fundamental considering how much we take from it!
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I love getting the additional information
on the mantas & other ocean life from the
experts on board.
It adds so much to my experience
Guest, Socorro 2022
YOUR IMPACT
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