Mexico Itineraries:

Gentle Giants of Socorro Island (9 days)

The Revillagigedo Archipelago consists of four specks of land belonging to Mexico: San Benedicto, Socorro, Roca Partida and Clarion. All of these islands are remains of volcanoes sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire and lay about 600km from the mainland. The archipelago possesses an absolutely unique ecosystem and is often nicknamed the "Mini-Galapagos" or the "Mexican Galapagos" as the landscapes are very similar. The Revillagigedo Archipelago also has a lot of endemic plants and animal species and the marine life sightings are very similar to the aquatic world of the Galapagos. It is as remote, pristine and diverse but much less inhabited, the waters are warmer and the dives less challenging than in the Galapagos.

The wildlife on land, in the water or in the air is so unique that the Mexican government has now declared the islands as a Biosphere Reserve. Each of the islands has their distinctive traits and during this cruise, you will get a chance to see what three out of four have to offer - Clarion is rarely dived as it requires much more travelling and the quality of diving is much better around the other islands.

For divers, this archipelago is 'The Place' to be to see manta rays. 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 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 9m wide, but usually average about 7m. They are very acrobatic, able to leap high from the water, and here, at Socorro, these giants choose to interact with divers! They come in very close - less than 1m - making eye contact with you and then swim along beside you, totally on their terms! What is even more extraordinary is that mantas will often wait at the dive site while you take your surface interval and be there to greet you on your next dive. The interaction does not stop at the mantas, as every marine creature seems to co-operate with you; sharks, turtles and whales are as curious and receptive to human interaction as dolphins!

QUALIFICATION NEEDED:
We can welcome everyone, but we recommend being qualified as PADI AOW or equivalent and having a minimum of 50 dives. The diving around Revillagigedo is extremely beautiful and rewarding, but it may not be suitable for less experienced divers or those in poor physical condition. Divemasters will provide you with a detailed briefing and can guide you underwater.

ITINERARY:
Departing from any major airport in Europe, your flight will take you to USA where you will transit before catching your next flight to Los Cabos, Mexico. Due to the travelling distances and changes of planes, you will arrive the day after your departure from Europe. Since boarding and departure is early morning, we include a night in Cabo San Lucas (where the vessel is moored up). It will allow you to rest after your long journey and to adjust to the jetlag.

The following day, you will be able to board in the early morning and the boat will depart very shortly after 08:30am for the 24hr crossing to Revillagigedo Archipelago.

Upon arrival, a day later, the pool will be open for your first dive at this truly magical place. On the typical 8-night cruise, you will be visiting three of the islands: Socorro, San Benedicto and Roca Partida and can expect 6 days diving (with an average of 22 dives with 3-4 dives/day and 1 night snorkel with silky sharks per trip - unless during full moon). Night dives are not allowed as Mexican regulation does not permit the use of strobes necessary for night dives. You will normally spend 2-3 days on San Benedicto Island, as it's the best spot for the mantas, before moving on to Socorro where the diving is pleasant with lots of fishes and chances of macro. Weather permitting, you will also spend 2 days at Roca Partida, which is the best place for shark, whale & whale shark sightings during their season.

After the last full day of diving, you will cross the Pacific again back to Cabo San Lucas, arriving the following day in the evening. The last night will be spent onboard in port and disembarkation will be the next morning at 09:00hr. A transfer will take you to the airport for your flight back home. Due to the journey and time difference, you will arrive a day later back in Europe.

Sample itinerary:

**PLEASE NOTE** Itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, guests' experience, flight schedules and is at the discretion of the captain.

Day 1 - Flight: Arrival in USA and transit
Day 2 - Flight: Arrival at San Jose Del Cabo and overnight in an hotel at Cabo San Luca
Day 3 - Boarding & cruising: Departure at 0830hr and 24hr cruise
Day 4 - Revillagigedo Archipelago: Diving
Day 5 - Revillagigedo Archipelago: Diving
Day 6 - Revillagigedo Archipelago: Diving
Day 7 - Revillagigedo Archipelago: Diving
Day 8 - Revillagigedo Archipelago: Diving
Day 9 - Revillagigedo Archipelago & cruising: After the last dive, cruise back to Cabo San Luca (24hr)
Day 10 - Arrival at Cabo San Luca and overnight in port
Day 11 - Disembarkation & flight:At 09:00hr, transfer back to the airport and flight home via USA
Day 12 - Flight: Arrival in Europe

Want to go? Check out the Schedules and Prices HERE

SEASON, WEATHER, CONDITIONS & CURRENT:
This itinerary operates from mid November until mid June when the weather and temperatures will vary throughout. On the surface, it's sunny and beautiful almost all the time and temperatures will go from a comfortable 21C to a summery 29C.

The seas are normally fairly flat during the two 24hr crossings, but about once per season can be much choppier with 3m waves. The vessel is completely seaworthy and the crew will monitor the forecasts continuously to avoid uncomfortable seas. Most of the anchorage points are also sheltered and calm, but please note that diving at Roca Partida is staged in the open ocean.

The visibility is usually very good with a minimum of 10m up to a maximum 40m. The dive sites that offer a 10m visibility will only be dived once before moving to another place, as we want to ensure you get beautiful blue waters for your photo backgrounds. The current will run from none until medium and the water temperature will vary from 28C (November) to 21C (February) before rising to 25C again (May). Cooler waters though have a big advantage: it's the time when the humpback whales and their calves show up!

WHAT TO TAKE?
Surface weather is comfortable and shorts, t-shirts and sandals should just do the trick, but we recommend you bring along a warm sweatshirt or a jumper for the cooler nights. You will definitely not need any rain gear! Pack all your diving equipment including a good wetsuit according to the season. For the colder months, maybe a good 7mm semi-dry or even a dry suit will ensure you are comfortable. There is a hot shower on the dive decks and in all the cabins just in case.

Want to go? Check out the Schedules and Prices HERE