Mexico Itineraries:

Socorro Island & Clipperton Atoll (16 days)

This magical 16 day itinerary is a real expedition and combines Socorro Island with Clipperton Atoll. This is a rare opportunity to bring together the adventure of voyaging to the remote coral atoll of Clipperton with diving with the amazing, gentle and friendly giant mantas and dolphins of Socorro Island. Very few operators offer the chance to dive on this remote atoll and to be able to visit both of these destinations is truly exceptional. Please click HERE to read more about Socorro Island.

Clipperton Atoll or Island is virtually "off-the map" and is one of the remote territories that belong to France. It's also called the "Island of Passion" and is an uninhabited (except for the millions of bright orange crad and the 673 coconut trees) 9km² land mass, lost in the Pacific. The closest land is actually the archipelago of Revillagigedo making the trip a fantastic combo to visit both destinations.

The island has a fantastic history, considering its size and remoteness. It was discovered by Magellan, named after an English pirate who allegedly used it as a base and annexed by France in the 18th century after a scientific expedition. If that was not enough, the USA claimed the island in the mid nineteenth century after having installed guano miners, before Napoleon III annexed it back to France. The Mexican government decided that it was in its' territory and President Portfirio Diaz sent gunboats to re-annex it back and to install a colony. The disputes went on and on and Victor Emmanuel II of Italy was appointed judge to settle that matter, which he did not do until 1931, giving back the atoll permanently to France.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the island had a steady colony of guano miners with their families. However, due to war on the mainland, they were forgotten and no supply ships came to deliver their much needed goods. All the men, except one, died of scurvy and the last surviving male appointed himself "King of Clipperton". He instituted a reign of terror and enslaved the local population of women and children before getting murdered. Since this tragic incident and the evacuation of the survivors, no further attempts have been made to permanently colonize Clipperton. The island was pretty much forgotten then until the World War II where it was used by the US Navy as a secret base for their operations in the Pacific. Even president Franklin D. Roosevelt visited this rock twice! After the war, the main activity around the atoll was of fishermen, castaways, the French Navy and scientific expeditions, including one of Jacques Cousteau 's to film a TV special.

A visit to Clipperton is not your typical dive trip and is truly one of the few real adventures still possible on earth. Even John Clouse, considered the "No.1 World traveller" by the Guinness Book of World Records never had a chance to set foot on the island!

The M/V Nautilus Explorer was in fact the first ship to organise a diving expedition in 2007 and you will already feel very special knowing that only a handful of divers have ever dived this atoll. But this feeling does not stop there... As you submerge, the beautiful coral reef surrounding the atoll slopes down to a white sandy bottom at 60m. Schools of jacks and other pelagic fish swim by while you have the chance to observe the rare and endemic Clipperton Angelfish. Nudibranchs are plenty for macro-lovers and you will see enough green moray eels to last you for a lifetime! Don't think that it stops there as the pelagic family, from mantas to silky sharks, passing by hammerheads and silvertips are also spotted very regularly. Dolphins hunt around the island due to the abundance of fish and often put on a show for snorkelers and divers. Visitors to Clipperton often say that there are so many fish around that they don't know where to look. Take a chance to visit this magical place as there is still lot to be discovered!

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. Clipperton Island diving is however suitable for all divers with good buoyancy control and dive skills. Divemasters will always 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 09:00hr for the 24hr crossing to Revillagigedo Archipelago. During the long crossings, activities will be organised such as marine ID presentations or talks on how to dive with the giant mantas of Socorro.

Upon arrival in the morning of the following day, the pool will be open for your first dive at this truly magical place. On this first day, you will normally dive around San Benedicto Island, which is one of four islands forming the Revillagigedo Archipelago. San Benedicto is renowned for being the best spots for the giant mantas. After your last dive, you will start your 48hr ocean cruising to reach Clipperton Island. The passage is normally very comfortable and time can be spent going through your amazing pictures, napping and enjoying the fantastic meals on offer.

Upon arrival at Clipperton, you will be able to enjoy 6 full days of diving (3-4 dives per day) at this magical place. All the dives take place around the atoll and the specific area dived (north, south, east or west) is subject to weather conditions and is at the Captain's discretion. There is still so much to explore that you may have the chance to do a particular site that no one has ever dived! One thing for sure, fishes will be there!

Once you completed your last day at Clipperton, the ship will set sail to return to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (48hr crossing), where you will be able to enjoy another 2 full days of diving. You will normally visit three of the islands: Socorro, San Benedicto and Roca Partida and can expect 3-4 dives per day. You will normally spend 1-1.5days 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 fish and chances of macro sightings. Weather permitting, you will also spend 1 day at Roca Partida, which is the best place for shark sightings and whales & whales shark sightings during their season.

With your mind awash with amazing memories, the ship will once again set sail after your last dive to return to Cabo San Lucas (approximately 24hr).

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 Los Cabos and overnight in an hotel at Cabo San Luca
Day 3 - Boarding & cruising: Departure at 0900hr and 24hr cruise
Day 4 - Revillagigedo Archipelago: Diving and 48hr cruising
Day 5 - At sea cruising
Day 6 - At sea cruising
Day 7 - Clipperton: Diving
Day 8 - Clipperton: Diving
Day 9 - Clipperton: Diving
Day 10 -Clipperton: Diving
Day 11 - Clipperton: Diving
Day 12 - Clipperton: Diving and 48hr cruising
Day 13 - At sea cruising
Day 14 - At sea cruising
Day 15 - Revillagigedo Archipelago: Diving
Day 16 - Revillagigedo Archipelago: Diving and 24hr cruise
Day 17 - Cruising and overnight in port at Cabo San Luca
Day 18 - Disembarkation & flight:At 09:00hr, transfer back to the airport and flight home via USA
Day 19 - Flight: Arrival in Europe

Want to go? Check out the Schedules and Prices HERE

SEASON, WEATHER, CONDITIONS & CURRENT:
The island of Clipperton has a tropical climate with the rainy season taking place between May and October. Most trips are planned or later in the year to avoid the inconvenience, but the atoll is still subject to variable rainfall out of season. Air temperatures range from 20C to 32C and the water temperature is on average around 28-30C - get your 3mm out as this will be enough!! You might be worried about the sea conditions as the Pacific is known to be rough, but the surrounding waters are calm most of the year with waves ranging from 1m to 2.5m. The M/V Nautilus Explorer is a heavy 300 ton ocean-going stabilised ship which will cruise in comfort. The anchorages are very sheltered, making it perfect for divers. The visibility at Clipperton is usually exceptionally good with a 50m+ on average and currents around the island tend to run from no n-existent to moderate, making your diving very comfortable.

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, just in case. Pack all your diving equipment including a good wetsuit according to the season you are going. Socorro Island can be a bit colder than Clipperton and it might be worth considering bringing a heavier and a lighter suit. 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