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The Rivillagigedo Archipelago, which includes Socorro Island, is one of the best places in the world to encounter large marine animals, along with the Galapagos, Cocos Island and Malpelo. It is located in the Pacific Ocean, 250 miles south of the Baja California Peninsula. The archipelago is accessible only to serious ocean yachts, such as Sea Escape, Solmar V, Nautilus Explorer. The best season for diving in Socorro is from November to May, but the island can be visited in other months. The archipelago consists of 4 islands: San Benedicto, Socorro, Roca Partida and Clarion. Socorro is home to a large number of different species of pelagic fish: hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, whale sharks, Galapagos sharks, giant Pacific manta rays, tuna and dolphins. From January to the end of March, humpback whales migrate through the coastal waters of the islands, coming here to give birth and nurse their young.
Best dive sites
Best dive sites
Diving in the Rivella Gigedo archipelago has its own specific difficulties. The diver will often have to deal with strong currents and waves, dives are often carried out without an instructor. This is a place for experienced divers.
San Benidicto Island - El Fondedero (EL FONDEADERO). It is from El Fondedero that diving is often started. Usually the water here is calm and not very deep. There are many lobsters, fish, eels, sometimes sharks swim in.
San Benidicto Island - THE BOILER (THE BOILER). A large reef peak rises 6 meters above the surface. The waves foam around the reef peak, creating the effect of "boiling" water. The peak is small enough to swim around it during one dive. It looks picturesque from all sides. The bottom here is at an angle of about 160 degrees, so it is very important to dive with a light weight. This place is a popular "cleaning station" for giant Pacific manta rays. They gather here to be cleaned by coral fish. Usually you don't have to wait long for the manta rays here, and they appear within minutes. Looking into their eyes, it seems as if you are really communicating with them. If you are lucky, you can meet a humpback whale and a tiger shark here.
San Benidicto Island - THE CANYON. El Canyon is located on the southern edge of the island. Here you can see manta rays, dolphins, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, hammerhead sharks.
Socorro Island - CABO PEARCE. Cabo Pearce is located on the eastern side of Socorro Island. It is a calm bay surrounded by red rocky cliffs. There are always a lot of dolphins here. There are caves. You can see humpback whales and friendly manta rays.
Socorro Island - PUNTA TOSCA. Punta Tosca is another dive site on Socorro Island. Here you can usually meet playful, friendly dolphins and sometimes silky sharks.
Socorro Island - THE AQUARIUM. On the other side of the island there is a dive site called The Aquarium. Here you can meet whales and enjoy beautiful sunsets.
ROCA PARTIDA. Roca Partida is a guano-covered reef peak 137 km from San Benedicto Island. Height - about 30 m. This reef peak is located separately and attracts many pelagic fish: sharks, manta rays, large schools of small fish, sometimes you can meet a whale shark, whitetip shark, bronze hammerhead shark, whitetip gray shark. This reef goes deeper than 60 meters, so diving here is actually a dive along the wall. At a depth of 18 meters there are several caves in which you can often see sleeping whitetip sharks.
Standard safari program:
Standard safari program:
Day 1. Cabo San Lucas. Arrival in Cabo San Lucas, accommodation at the hotel. Free time.
Day 2. Going out to sea. Breakfast at the hotel. At 9:00 ―transfer to the port and accommodation on board the yacht "Sea Escape". At 11:00 ― going out to sea. Passage to San Benedicto Island, travel time ― 22-24 hours.
Day 3. San Benedicto Island. In the morning ― arrival to San Benedicto Island. Start of the diving program. This island is a volcanic crater with half-ruined walls. Dive sites of this place: the world-famous "Boiler", where you will see giant oceanic mantas and "Canyon". There are many hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks and dolphins here. Depending on weather conditions, Sea Escape will stay off San Benedicto overnight or make an overnight passage to Socorro Island (approximately 30 miles south).
Day 4. San Benedicto or Socorro. Diving program off San Benedicto or Socorro Island. On this day, the yacht will be inspected by the Mexican Navy Inspectorate.
Day 5. Socorro. Diving program off Socorro. In the evening, sail towards Roca Partida Island (passage duration is approximately 7 hours).
Day 6. Roca Partida. Diving program off Roca Partida Island. Depending on the weather, the yacht will either return to Socorro or stay off Roca Partida for another day.
Day 7. Roca Partida or Socorro. Diving program off Roca Partida or Socorro Island.
Day 8. Socorro. Full day diving program near Socorro Island. At 18:00 ― start of the return trip to Cabo San Lucas.
Day 9. Cabo San Lucas. Around 14:00 arrival in Cabo San Lucas. Transfer to the airport and flight to Kanun or Mexico City. If desired, you can stay in Cabo San Lucas for a few more days.
Safari Yachts Operating in Socorro
Safari Yachts Operating in Socorro
Nautilus Under Sea. Yacht rebuilt in 1990. Hull material: steel, length: 28 m., accommodation for up to 19 people.
Nautilus Explorer
Solmar V. Yacht built in 2007. Hull material: steel, length: 34 m., accommodation for 22 people (Guadalupe liveaboard - only 20)
Nautilus Belle Amie
Sea Escape
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