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Liveaboard Diving in Socorro

Reachable only by liveaboard, diving in Socorro is synonymous with pelagic action. Expect to see manta rays, whales, whale sharks and hammerheads.

Socorro Island liveaboards

Socorro and the other islands that are part of the Revillagigedos archipelago are situated 250 miles (400km) from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. There are no hotels on the islands, and it takes around 24 hours to reach the archipelago from the the Mexican coast. Diving the Socorro Islands is therefore only possible from a liveaboard. Most of the liveaboard cruises last between 7 and 10 nights. The Solmar V has been diving the waters of Mexico since 1992 and counts a number of repeat customers. The Nautilus Explorer and the Nautilus Belle Amie are both modern, purpose built scuba diving vessels which are sure to delight divers looking for a great overall experience. The cabins of the Nautilus Belle Amie are particularly stunning.

9 liveaboards in Socorro Island

Solmar V
    ★★★★★
12 Reviews
USD 2,350Per trip
Quino El Guardian
    ★★★★★
7 Reviews
USD 3,095Per trip
Southern Sport
USD 1,999Per trip
MV Valentina
    ★★★★★
5 Reviews
USD 2,690Per trip
See all 9 liveaboards

Diving in Socorro Islands

Quick facts

Socorro, well known for its giant oceanic manta rays, is actually a destination for all lovers of big marine life. On a good trip, you could tick off an amazing amount of rare encounters from your bucket list such as dolphins, whale sharks, hammerheads, silkies, silvertip sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, tiger sharks and humpback whales. Don’t expect to see colorful coral reefs while diving in the Socorro Islands though. Scuba diving there is overwhelmingly animal-centric. Underwater landscapes are volcanic in nature with visible geothermal activity. There are chimney-like lava tubes and intricate rock formations scattered around the islands. The only real color you’ll encounter will be from some hard corals, so keep your eyes in the blue, that’s where the action is. The underwater conditions can be challenging with occasional surge and current, therefore it is recommended that only experienced divers travel to the Socorro Islands.

BEST TIME TO GO

November to May

The best time to dive in Socorro is from November to May. Within these months, several important events occur. From late January to early April, humpback whales migrate through the area. From November to early January and then again during April and May, manta rays and sharks are prevalent. This is due largely to water temperatures. The late winter and spring months have the coldest average temperatures of 70 to 73°F (21 to 23°C). At other times, the water is approximately 73 to 79°F (23 to 26°C). Because of the remote nature of the Socorro Islands, visibility is on average quite good at about 100 feet (30m). However, during November and December, rain, tide, currents and wind can cause a drop in visibility to approximately 60 feet (18m) at a few dive sites. Finally, surface conditions around the Socorro Islands, which lie in the open ocean, are highly variable. Dive site moorings are often protected, but the journey to the islands or between dive sites may (at times) negatively affect divers prone to seasickness.

View our full scuba guide

How to Get to the Socorro Islands

The departure port for Socorro liveaboards is Cabo San Lucas. Most of the dive safari crews will pick you up at the airport and take you directly to the boat. The most popular airport to fly into is San Jose Cabo International Airport located approximately half an hour drive from Cabo San Lucas.
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