Socorro / Guadalupe

Yes, I know. I use a lot of superlatives when I talk & write. But, those of you who have experienced the thrill of Socorro will understand my enthusiasm. The Revillagigedo Islands present interaction with Giant Giant Mantas unlike anywhere else. These animals, which often exceed a 20-foot wingspan, approach divers with absolutely no fear ….. in fact, it often seems they exude great joy at welcoming the visitors to their environment.

The effect on divers is always one of intense emotion and the scuba diving at Socorro, in my opinion, can rightfully claim its place amongst the world’s absolute top pelagic destinations … particularly when you add in a variety of shark species, including occasional whale sharks … and the migrating humpback whales in late winter, early spring.

 

A word from Dom

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The Thrill Of Ocean Pelagics & Brilliant Viz

If you love adventure diving …. if you adore ocean pelagics …. if you’ve dreamed of diving within inches of a Giant Manta or staring down a Great White through the bars of a solid cage, Mexico’s Socorro and Guadalupe Islands should absolutely figure somewhere near the top of the list of your most desired diving destinations.

The visibility in these locations is so fabulous (often 100 feet or more), the immense number of animals so staggering and the photo ops so overwhelming that we have to say you’ll have experiences here you can never have anywhere else on the planet.

Colossal Pacific Mantas

Some of the Giant Mantas attain an implausible wing span of up to 22 feet (7 meters) across, though most are a bit smaller than that, and it is not unusual to be surrounded by as many as 5 to 10 individuals of this size.   You’ve probably heard that the mantas seek out interaction with divers and choose to stick around as long as there are divers in the water. Their curiosity seems to draw them to the divers and apparently they just like to see what the strange rubber-clad creatures are doing in their world !

It’s been noticed in the recent past that the bottlenose dolphins have adopted a similar interaction style so you will hopefully have the opportunity to experience this also.

 

Seasons In The Sun .... Socorro Or Guadalupe?

Also, it’s important to note that in the Revillagigedo Islands, the wildlife varies by season.

November to December is generally the perfect time for dolphins, giant mantas and 10 different species of sharks – including whale sharks. This is also the time of year for the warmest water temps.

Moving into January and the early spring months, you still have the big hitters – the mantas & dolphins – but you also get humpback whales and it’s the only place on the planet we know of where you can actually scuba dive with them versus swimming or snorkling.

 

As the Socorro season finishes, from May to July, the excitement is due to the bait balls which attract all the various species (except the humpbacks) and the waters are a frenzy of hungry pelagics ! At this point, the season opens in Guadalupe and it’s time to take your place in the viewing station for an eye-to-eye chat with a Great White shark or two …..

Probably needless to say, liveaboards are the only way to go for truly great diving in both of these locations.

 

 

 

And What About The Humpbacks?

Just after every New Year, Humpback Whales arrive in the Socorro Islands in an annual migration from the cooler waters of Alaska and Canada. Hundreds of them! Their migration is an epic journey through open ocean and thousands of miles, and yet each year they find the small islands of the Revillagigedos Archipelago (Socorro).

You can see the magnificent Humpbacks during your dives at Socorro from January through March. This is not a dedicated swim with the whales program … but as the waters at this time of year are filled with migrating whales, the likelihood of meeting one or more while you’re in the water is very strong.

 

SOCORRO ISLAND diving presents massive PACIFIC MANTA RAYS, BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS & huge sting rays. Don’t forget the SEVEN SHARK SPECIES, big fish action, moray eels & octopus. Late winter/early spring you’ll likely be treated to HUMPBACK WHALES, January through March and WHALE SHARKS in November & December. GUADALUPE ISLAND diving is all about GREAT WHITE SHARKS … that’s all … just you and the cage and those humongous, powerful sharks !

 

Mantas … Or Great Whites … Or Both ?

Twice a year, when the boats reposition from one destination to the other, you have the opportunity to join a trip which visits both Socorro & Guadalupe. These fill quickly … so, don’t hesitate to let us know well in advance if it takes your fancy !

 

Socorro / Guadalupe Diving Adventures ... Yes, You Can Have It All !

Socorro ... Dance With Mantas, Cavort With Dolphins

You’ll dodge seven different species of sharks and thrill to an occasional lucky interaction (December to March) with the migrating humpback whale population. Listen closely & you may hear them singing. (It’s reported that there are roughly 1200 individuals at this time of year.) In the autumn, whale sharks are likely visitors. Late November to April is the Socorro season. ...

Guadalupe & San Benitos ... Go Nose To Nose With A Great White

This is the Mecca of Great White cage diving in the northern hemisphere … and is probably is the best in the world due to its fabulous visibility and multitudes of Great Whites from August thru October. Certified divers can descend to roughly 30 feet in the submersible cages to observe the Great Whites in their element. The sharks tend ...

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