The Revillagigedo archipelago, of which Socorro Island is one, possesses an absolutely unique ecosystem with many endemic plant and animal species. That is why the Archipelago is often called Mexico’s Galapagos. Indeed, it is as remote, as diverse, as pristine, and, well, even less inhabited than Ecuador’s pearl. And for divers, this is the place to go for unforgettable manta diving, which is as unique as the Archipelago itself. This is the only place on Earth where you will — guaranteed — dive and interact with giant mantas.
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, Manta birostris (aka manta ray), 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.
Mantas swim by moving their wing-like pectoral fins, which can grow up to nine meters wide, but usually average about seven meters. 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 one meter! — make eye contact with you and then swim along beside you - totally on their terms. What is even more extraordinary, mantas will often wait at the dive site while you take your surface interval and be there to greet you on your next dive. Check out this video from one of our boat’s sister vessels.
Shark sighting is also very good at Socorro Island with common sightings of silky, Galapagos, hammerhead, whitetip and silvertip sharks. Whale sharks are usually spotted in the first half of the season and then it’s the whale season when a population of 1,200 humpbacks moves into the island’s waters.
There are hundreds of vessels in the worldwide fleet of large, liveaboard dive boats. The crew of Nautilus differentiates themselves by offering a recently built ship that was custom designed for divers to the highest possible level of comfort and safety with a layout that utilizes every square foot of available space. The crew takes exceptional pride in keeping the boat spotlessly clean and running smoothly. Everything is first class and certified to the same exacting international SOLAS and ISM standards as the largest cruise ship.
Your comfort is a priority everywhere onboard. The Nautilus Under the Sea is a happy ship and carefully designed to be very safe with heavy, strong steel construction and extensive soundproofing. The vessel’s hullform, passive stability system and bulbous bow provides for a remarkably easy ride while heavy-duty commercial grade systems ensure that you have a smooth-running voyage. A water level platform aft of the dive deck provides easy entry into dive skiffs, kayaks and Laser sailboat.
Imaginative and fresh cuisine is one of the cornerstones of their business. Soups are homemade; Bread, pastries and deserts are baked onboard and there is always lots to eat with up to 4 meals a day, a choice of entrees and plenty of snacks (including some that aren’t good for you!). They offer a mix of both buffet and table service with a menu that combines North American and European tastes and also a touch of Mexico. Having a chef and the hostesses means that we can take excellent care of guests. Most special dietary requests can be cheerfully accommodated with advance notice (including “quasi-kosher”).
Our travel schedule is as follows:
Trip Pricing: Pricing for this trip is as follows:
| Description | Price |
|---|---|
| Premium Suite | $4,995 |
| Stateroom | $3,885 |
| Quad Stateroom | $3,435 |
Deposit and Balance Due: Requirements are as follows:
We will need a copy of your passport at sign up. Your passport must be valid for six months past the date of the trip and have at least two blank pages remaining. Divers must be able to present a certification card and proof of insurance.
What’s Included: The basic trip price includes the following (if applicable):
Not Included: Travelers are responsible for the following (if applicable):
Additional Requirements: Travelers must supply:
Space on Just Add Water group trips is limited and offered on a strictly first-come/first-served basis. You can prevent someone else from getting your spot by signing up as soon as possible. To do so, simply stop by the store or call (440) 942-7575.
