Socorro Liveaboard Trip

We have planned a fantastic liveaboard trip to Socorro aboard the Nautilus Explorer. Join us for this 8-night liveaboard, experiencing some of the best pelagic diving in the world!

We are offering an incredible experience right after the Socorro trip -THE GREY WHALES OF SAN IGNACIO LAGOON.

Where are we going?

Cabo San Lucas is the starting point for this unbelievable adventure. After a short flight from the United Sates, we’ll board our luxurious expedition yacht the Nautilus Explorer.

Socorro Island is the largest of the four main islands that form the Revillagigedo Archipelago in Mexico. Socorro Island, Roca Partida, San Benedicto, and Clarin make up the Revillagigedo UNESCO World Heritage Site and are all iconic spots for scuba diving. These four islands combined are commonly referred to as the Socorro Islands or simply “Socorro”.

Known for its stunning, raw, primal beauty, Socorro offers fantastic diving experiences, where super-friendly giant mantas, playful bottlenose dolphins, and 12 species of sharks await your affection. Despite being just 235 nautical miles from Cabo, Socorro feels like a remote and unvisited paradise, surrounded by the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. The crossing to Socorro from Cabo will take about 28 hours.

Socorro’s rich marine life includes schooling hammerheads, silver tips, silkies, and Galapagos sharks seeking attention alongside the mantas. Picture yourself swimming through vast schools of thousands of jacks… thrilling! As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Socorro is a protected national park, providing a unique and exclusive diving experience, accessible only to a limited number of permit holders.

Why Socorro?

Being a group of small volcanic island situated in the remote Pacific, diving Socorro is world-renowned for encounters with the world’s friendliest manta rays and other large marine animals like sharks, dolphins, tuna and whale sharks.

Socorro Island is nicknamed Mexico’s “Little Galapagos” due to its unique ecosystem that attracts the large pelagic animals. The archipelago hosts some of the world’s best dive sites for these large pelagics. Of the most amazing scuba diving destinations in the world, Socorro Island is relatively easy to get to from the United States and most parts of the world.

As a lonely seamount far offshore, the Socorro attracts a number of sociable species. But what truly sets Socorro apart, is its giant oceanic mantas (Mobula birostris) – these majestic creatures seek interaction with divers and snorkelers, creating unforgettable moments. It is possibly the world’s friendliest group of manta rays who love to swim beside and above you often less than a few feet away.

When are we going?

We’ll embark the boat on March 11th and will disembark on the 19th. 8 nights of amazing diving in the peak humpback whale season!

The best time to dive Socorro depends on what you want to see and what conditions you are comfortable with. Manta rays and various sharks are present year-round. Humpback whales congregate around the archipelago in February and March, although divers have to be lucky to see them underwater.

The Liveaboard

Nautilus Liveaboards has been leading dive trips to Socorro since 1978, witnessing the incredible bond between divers and mantas that never ceases to amaze.

With years of experience, they offer tailored liveaboard adventures with an emphasis on safety, service excellence, and animal encounters. They will ensure we make the most of our Socorro trip.

We chose to stay on the Nautilus Explorer, Nautilus’ flagship featuring an all new super-large dive deck and water level platform combined with picture windows around the main salon and separate dining room. The Explorer looks fantastic with her recent stretch to 132 feet in length, new air conditioning and interior updates. Starlink internet is available ($100 per device, per trip) and there is a hot tub on the sun deck to relax after a full day of diving,

Our trip includes full board providing breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner and all drinks except for alcohol. Nitrox is available (not included) on the boat and the use of it is very much encouraged! 

The boat has 3 room categories. 9 Staterooms, 3 Superior Suites and 1 Premium Suite.

The diving and itinerary

Day 1 March 11th 2027

Complimentary photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas. 8pm boarding.

Day 2

Traveling and relaxing at sea. It’s a one day run out to the Socorro Islands. Cocktail hour. Sunsets. Arrive at San Benedicto Island by evening.

Days 3-7

Over five full dive days, you will be able to experience some of their favourite sites such as El Canyon, the Boiler, Red Rocks, Roca Partida, Cabo Pearce, Punta Tosca and Roca Oneal. They will do their best to provide 4 dives a day subject to other dive boats being onsite, weather and only 3 dives on the day of mandatory inspection by the Mexican navy. Expect to see the friendliest giant mantas in the world, bottlenose dolphins, up to 12 species of sharks and loads of fish. They will also have other activities to keep us busy such as kayaking and paddle boarding. Or we can simply relax in their hot tub.

Day 8

Early morning voyage back to Cabo San Lucas. Great time to look back on all your photos and videos, connect with new friends or simply relax during the journey back.

Day 9

Disembark at 8:30am in Cabo.

DATES AND FLIGHTS

The liveaboard trip will take place from March 11th – 19th, 2027. As usual we won’t include any airfare in the trip. The flight schedule for 2027 is not posted at this point.

Delta flies daily direct from Atlanta to San Jose Del Cabo (SJD) and there are direct flights from all major US airports to SJD.

Group transfers from and to SJD airport are included if you come in close to the main group’s (Delta’s direct flight from ATL) arrival and departure. We’ll be picked up by Nautilus’ own comfortable motor coach the Sharkexpress.

TRIP COSTS

Payment schedule:

25% non-refundable deposit when sign up for the trip

25% non-refundable 1 year before the trip

50% final payment January 1st 2027

What’s included?

– 8 nights full board accommodation includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks

– Up to 4 dives daily

– Use of Nautilus Lifeline safety devices

– Unlimited, complimentary tea, coffee, drinking water and soft drinks

– Single 12 Litre (80 cu ft) cylinder with air fills

– Weights and weight belts

– Group transfers from and to SJD airport on Sharkexpress

What’s NOT included?

• International Flights

• Socorro National Park fees of $860 per trip ($172 per dive day)

• Additional or private transfers

• Equipment rental

• Nitrox – Standard Package : 120 USD per trip, to be paid on board

• Alcoholic drinks

• Crew and dive guide gratuities

• Port Fee of $35.00 USD per person payable in cash onboard

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY PRE- OR POST- LIVEABOARD LAND EXTENSIONS WE MAY OFFER.

For information on single occupancy and other special requests, please email info@scubadreamstravel.com