Mexico Itineraries:

Socorro Island & Sea of Cortez (11 days)

This itinerary is a real chance to combine the two great sites of Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro Island) and the Sea of Cortez over an 11-day trip. The trip offers such a variety in diving and landscapes that it's hard to believe you can do it all in one! The two sites could not be that different and you will have the rare opportunity to experience both seas with both their own highlights during your liveaboard.

The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is the sea that separates the Baja California Peninsula from Mexican mainland. The sea is home for more than 850 species of reef fish - many are endemic - whale sharks, hammerheads, sea lions, dolphins & whales and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. This narrow body of water is thought to be one of the most diverse seas on the planet and hosts a unique and rich ecosystem. A lot of migratory species such as humpback whales, California gray whales, killer whales, manta rays, leatherback sea turtle and the world's largest animal, the blue whale, choose to visit these waters annually and they might be spotted while cruising around. Fin whales and sperm whales decided to elect residence there all-year round.

This sea is best visited as a liveaboard as it gives you flexibility to move where the "Big stuff" is and offers wonderful scuba diving opportunities.

To dive the Sea of Cortez after such action-packed dives at Revillagigedo is often perceived as being much slower and more relaxed. However, it does not mean that the diving is not interesting. (Click HERE to read more about Socorro Island.) On the contrary, the Sea of Cortez has tons, and tons, and tons, and tons of fish! It hosts an incredible amount of marine life and these schools of thousands of scads, sardines or grunts look like traffic during rush-hour in any major world capital - except that in the Sea of Cortez it never ends!!! Moray eels are so numerous on certain sites that the crew joke about them living in "moray condos". Add to this an open "aquarium" with the playful sea lions and you are in for hours of continuous entertainment. Some sites also offer surprising underwater landscapes with canyons, small caves, an interesting coral and macro life and you may have the possibility to dive the wreck of the ferry "Salvatierra".

But, to many people, the Sea of Cortez is a synonym to whale sharks and the crew is always on the lookout for them as well as dolphins and whales. They are typically present off El Mogote and may provide an unforgettable addition to your trip. During cruising between dive sites, pods of dolphins (and we are speaking pods of 100+!) will sometimes accompany you and stingrays might be spotted jumping out of the water. If you are lucky, pilot whales might be coming and feed next to the boat at night. All in all, the Sea of Cortez is full of surprises and you might find yourself wanting to never leave.

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. Diving in the Sea of Cortez is suitable for all levels. Divemasters will provide you with a detailed briefing and can guide you underwater on every dive.

ITINERARY:
Departing from any major airport in Europe, your flight will take you to USA, where you will transit before catching you 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 allow you to acclimatise.

The following day, you will be able to board in the early morning and the boat will depart very shortly after 08:00am for the 24-hr crossing to Revillagigedo Archipelago.

Upon arrival, a day later, the pool will be open for your first dive at this truly magical place. You will normally be visiting three of the islands: Socorro, San Benedicto and Roca Partida and can expect 3 days diving (with an average of 11 dives with 3 to 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 1-1.5 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 fish and chances of macro. Weather permitting, you will also spend 1 day at Roca Partida, which is the best place for shark, whale and whale shark sightings during their season.

After your last dive in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, you will start your 24hr ocean cruising to reach the Sea of Cortez. 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 in the Sea of Cortez, you will be able to enjoy 4 full days of diving (3/4 dives per day) and the choice of dive sites will depend on the weather conditions and the latest sightings. There are plenty of sites to choose from and the crew will always try to take you to the best sites for sea lions, whale sharks and fish life.

After your last dive in the Sea of Cortez, the vessel will start its sailing back to Cabo San Lucas and the last night will be spent onboard in port. Disembarkation will be the next morning at 09:00hr, when the 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 and 24hr cruise
Day 8 - Cruising: Arrival at Sea of Cortez
Day 9 - Sea of Cortez: Diving
Day 10 - Sea of Cortez: Diving
Day 11 - Sea of Cortez: Diving
Day 12 - Cruising and overnight in port at Cabo San Luca
Day 13 - Disembarkation & flight:At 09:00hr, transfer back to the airport and flight home via USA
Day 14 - Flight: Arrival in Europe

Want to go? Check out the Schedules and Prices HERE

SEASON, WEATHER, CONDITIONS & CURRENT:
The outside temperature in the Sea of Cortez is very comfortable in spring with a good 22°C on average (but up to 30 °C during the day and down to 14°C at night). There is a chance of a short tropical storm, but spring is the driest season and is out of the hurricane season.

The water temperature in the gulf will vary greatly depending on which depth you are diving at and also on which dive site. In the southern part of the Sea of Cortez (the part your liveaboard will explore), the shallow waters are warm all-year round (from 22 to 26°C), but as you go deeper the temperature may drop to 15 °C. The limit of this thermocline is very variable and each dive site will be affected differently.

The visibility is usually good with a minimum of 10m on the bad days and up to 30m. Current varies from none to medium. The seas in this area are usually calm and most anchorages are sheltered. Lastly, each trip is planned around the best diving conditions, meaning you might change dive sites for getting better visibility for example.

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 and a jacket for the cooler nights. Pack all your diving equipment including a good suit. A full wetsuit is recommended to avoid stings from jelly fishes. The Sea of Cortez is colder than Socorro Island and it might be worth considering bringing a heavier and a lighter suit to fit diving in both sites. 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