Feb 25-Mar 5 Liveaboard to the Socorro Islands as February is humpback whale season. SOLD OUT
Overview
The “Know Before You Go” document (link below) provides comprehensive preparation details for divers embarking on an expedition to Mexico’s Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro Islands) aboard Mexico Liveaboards. Located 250 miles off the Baja California coast, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers world-class diving encounters with pelagic marine life, including giant manta rays, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and humpback whales.
1. Vessel Overview & Accommodations
The expedition operates using two custom-built liveaboard vessels designed specifically for divers:
- Rocio del Mar: A 110-foot vessel equipped with 10 private double-occupancy staterooms with ensuite bathrooms, catering to 20 divers. It features external stabilizers, a dedicated dive deck, a camera setup table, two freshwater showers, an air-conditioned salon, and a shaded top deck.
- Quino del Mar: A 118-foot vessel built in 2025, also accommodating 20 divers. It features 10 private staterooms (including extra-large below-deck staterooms), built-in and external stabilizers, a spacious main deck salon, an outdoor beverage station, and a shaded sun deck.
- Both vessels run on 110V US-style outlets and are fully air-conditioned throughout interior spaces.
2. Diving Requirements & Park Regulations
Diving in Revillagigedo can be challenging, requiring high proficiency:
- Qualifications & Safety: Open Water certification, proof of dive insurance, and a minimum of 50 logged dives with strong buoyancy control are required. No proof of certification or insurance means no diving—no exceptions. Every diver must carry a dive computer, a safety sausage (SMB), and a whistle.
- Park Rules: National Marine Park rules strictly prohibit knives, gloves, flashlights, and night diving. Camera-attached lights are permitted.
- Operations: Dives are guided in three groups led by divemasters using two 18-foot Achilles inflatable pangas with backroll entries. Private divemasters are available for hire with advance booking.
3. Itinerary & Logistical Details
The standard 10-day expedition itinerary covers multiple remote islands:
- Trip Schedule:
- Day 1: Embark in San José del Cabo (boarding at 5:00 PM at Marina Puerto Los Cabos).
- Day 2 & Day 9: Open-ocean transit days at sea.
- Days 3–8: 3 to 4 dives per day across Isla San Benedicto, Isla Roca Partida, and Isla Socorro (including a check-in at the Naval Station).
- Day 10: Return and disembark by 8:30 AM.
- Travel: Guests fly into San José del Cabo (SJD) and take a ~25-minute taxi ride to the marina.
4. Meals, Amenities & Onboard Services
- Dining: Includes early continental breakfasts, made-to-order warm breakfasts after the first dive, homemade soups and hot lunches, afternoon snacks, and three-course plated dinners. Special diets (vegan, gluten-free) are accommodated. Complimentary beer and wine are provided after the last dive of the day.
- Connectivity: Satellite Wi-Fi is available for purchase at $50 per device, providing internet access within a 10-mile radius of the islands and San José del Cabo (unavailable during ocean crossings).
5. Equipment Rentals & Certifications
- Rentals: Regulators, BCDs, and dive computers can be rented for $50–$75 each, but must be requested in advance as gear is limited. Exposure suits, fins, masks, SMBs, and lights are not rented onboard.
- Nitrox: Nitrox is strongly encouraged to maximize bottom time. PADI Nitrox certification courses are offered onboard for $200, and unlimited Nitrox fills are available for $140 per person per trip.
6. Trip Brochure
Extensive information about the trip are included in the document in the link below.
It also includes detailed information about the “Park Fee” which is waived for retired people. To see if you qualify, please read the information on page 14 of the document linked below.
