Scuba diving in

Socorro and Revillagigedo Islands

If you've never heard of Socorro Island scuba diving, don't worry,  you aren't alone. While divers in the know have been flocking to these remote waters for years, the Revillagigedo Archipelago remains off the mainstream diving radar thanks to its remote location. This massive marine park takes a long time to get to, but thanks to a wide variety of professional liveaboard operations catering to every budget and travel style, you can expect a seamless and comfortable voyage to and from the islands.

Above water, Revillagigedo is wild and austere, composed of a series of volcanic peaks rising from the depths. These rugged land masses remain totally uninhabited, with the exception of a small naval base on Socorro Island. In fact, visitors aren't even permitted to go ashore. This precautionary measure serves two purposes - to protect the region's rare and endangered wildlife, and keep guests out of harm's way. Earthquakes, landslides, and other tectonic events are common here, as are sudden storms and unpredictable weather.

While the Revillagigedo archipelago technically comprises four islands, most liveaboards only visit three. The farthest afield island, Clarion, is so distant from the rest of the group that a visit adds multiple days to your trip's itinerary. But, don't worry. You won't be missing out. The island's namesake Clarion angelfish is found in abundance throughout the region, as are all of Socorro's famous underwater animals, including manta rays, sharks, whales and dolphins, and whale sharks.

Because visitors are not permitted to go ashore in Revillagigedo, the region can only be dived via liveaboard. Thanks to its far-flung location, it takes a whopping 30-hours to reach the archipelago from Cabo San Lucas, the region's primary departure point. But don't worry, the diving is well worth the extra long commute!

San José del Cabo, the region's transit hub, receives regular international flights from the United States and Canada, Western Europe, and Asia. From here, you'll connect to Cabo San Lucas via bus, taxi, or private transport.

Once you reach Revillagigedo, your liveaboard will anchor at a different island each day. Your dive group will then be transported to and from local sites up to four times a day, by zodiac or RIB. In some cases, these surface trips take just a few minutes. But, when surface conditions are rough, you can expect slightly longer and bumpier rides.

Because the diving in Socorro and Revillagigedo is done via liveaboard, you'll be staying on your boat of choice throughout the adventure. No matter which vessel you spend your safari on, there will be plenty for you to see and do. In addition to the diving, visitors can expect extra outings like zodiac tours, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding, and snorkelling with silky sharks. From deck, you're also likely to spot wildlife including sea birds, marine mammals, and even mantas and mobulas jumping.

Most divers opt to spend a day or two exploring Cabo San Lucas before and after their expedition. A popular seaside resort for decades, Cabo offers a wide variety of hotels, resorts, and even budget-friendly hostels. But, beware of far-away resort locations that could create a long commute to and from your adventures of choice. If the primary focus of your holiday is scuba diving, you'll want to stay close to the downtown marina. This is where nearly all liveaboard and day diving boats depart from.

The Socorro diving season is nearly year-round, with a break during the region's hot summer months, August through October, when most liveaboards head to Guadalupe for its annual aggregation of white sharks. Each month presents a different opportunity in this stunning region. And, when it comes to Socorro diving, the best time to visit is primarily dictated by which wildlife you're hoping to encounter.

Like the rest of Mexico's Pacific, diving conditions are at their very best here between November and January. This season promises calm surface conditions, incredible visibility, and excellent chances for spotting all of the archipelago's hottest wildlife. Plus, slightly warmer waters, with an average temperature between 26 and 28°C.

From January through April, colder conditions and powerful offshore winds can contribute to rougher conditions and slightly reduced visibility as volcanic ash blows off the archipelago's peaks. But it's still a great time to visit! You'll find less-crowded liveaboards, lower rates, and plenty of big fish action. This is also humpback season, with migratory whales and their calves frequently seen on the surface.

Whale sharks are most commonly seen from April through June, when massive blooms of plankton attract iconic wildlife including massive swirling bait balls. These months do experience lower visibility than the rest of the year, but you're unlikely to encounter a single day under 20 metres. Whale sharks are also seen in November and December.

Keep in mind that the Revillagigedo has a dry, desert climate all year round. So, no matter when you plan to visit, you're likely to experience hot sunny days and chilly nights at sea.