Unleash the Underwater Adventure: Socorro Island Diving, Mexico
A Hidden Gem for Aquatic Enthusiasts
Remote volcanic island called Socorro erupts, spewing ash and lava into the sky
Get ready for an epic underwater encounter in Socorro, Mexico! Packed with exciting meetings with large marine animals, this destination is a paradise for divers desperate to explore the depths of the ocean. From friendly giant manta rays and playful dolphins to the breaching humpback whales, whale sharks, rays, and an array of sharks, diving in Socorro is an unforgettable experience!
Nicknamed the Little Galapagos of Mexico, Socorro Island showcases a unique ecosystem that attracts large pelagic animals. Join the ranks of other incredible scuba diving destinations like the Galapagos in Ecuador, Cocos Island in Costa Rica, and Malpelo Island in Colombia. Despite being compared to these extraordinary spots, Sororo is surprisingly easy to reach from the Americas and most parts of the world.
Note:Expect increased marine park fees for Socorro starting in January 2025. To stay updated, read our article, *Get Prepared: Socorro Marine Park Fee Increase - What You Need to Know. **
Dive Into the Magic of Socorro Island
Discover the secrets of Socorro, a small volcanic island situated 400 km off Mexico's west coast. Renowned for encounters with the world's friendliest manta rays and other large marine animals, this underwater utopia invites you to embark on an adventure you won't forget.
Socorro is one of the four main islands that make up the Revillagigedo Archipelago, qualifying as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ensemble is composed of Socorro Island, Roca Partida, San Benedicto, and Clarin, collectively known as the Socorro Islands or simply "Socorro."
To access the electrifying waters of Socorro, you'll have to hop on one of the many liveaboards available—from budget-friendly options to luxurious vessels. These diving cruises typically last 8 nights and take around 24 hours to reach Socorro from the departure point of San Jose Del Cabo (SJD). Check out the liveaboard offerings from our Preferred Partners, such as Nautilus' Belle Amie, Explorer, and Under Sea; the elegant and comfortable Solmar V; the Quino El Guardian; and the adventurous Rocio Del Mar.
Check out our *Socorro liveaboard availability right here. **
Dive Season Spots and Tips
The scuba diving season in the Socorro Islands runs from November to May. The best time to dive Socorro depends on what you wish to see and your comfort level with conditions: manta rays and various sharks are present year-round. To catch a glimpse of humpback whales, February and March are the ideal months. Bluewater Travel hosts an annual trip to Socorro in March—a great time to go when marine life is abundant, and diving with humpback whales is a possibility.
If warmer temperatures (up to 27C/80F) and whale shark sightings are your priorities, visit between November and December. The water starts warming again in late April and into May, which heralds bait ball season, when you can witness the thrilling spectacle of many predators hunting, including sharks and tuna.
***Join our Socorro trips in February 2026 and February 2027! **
Experience Level
Due to the exposed nature of the diving and challenging conditions, Socorro is best suited for experienced divers. The islands are often subject to rough seas and strong currents, which fail to deter the pelagic life attracted to the area. The dive sites are rugged, with rocky structures and towering walls.
Discovering the Depths of Socorro
Marine Life and Photography Opportunities
The Revillagigedo Archipelago is a treasure trove teeming with sought-after aquatic creatures. So make sure to pack your wide-angle lens or action camera and capture these breathtaking encounters. In Socorro, you can expect to swim alongside manta rays, sharks, whales, dolphins, tuna, whale sharks, and a myriad of other marine beauties during your dives.
Manta Rays and their Majestic Glides
Enjoy close encounters with the friendly, graceful giants of the deep: giant manta rays. These creatures are drawn year-round to the Socorro's famous manta cleaning stations. Soak up the magic as the mantas glide around the cleaning station and show off in divers' bubbles.
Compared to other manta ray hotspots globally, Socorro's manta encounters are one-of-a-kind. Manta rays here seem to seek divers out, swimming directly overhead and finding joy in the bubbles that tickle their misshapen bellies. Socorro's underwater interaction with manta rays should be at the top of every diver's bucket list!
Hunter's Paradise: Shark Lovers Delight
Prepare to cross several bucket-list shark species off your list in Socorro, including galapagos, silky, silvertip, whitetip, hammerhead, and (with some luck) tiger sharks. The shark dives in Socorro Island are truly world-class, boasting some of the best locations for shark diving on the planet!
A Playful Pod & Whale Drama
Don't forget to keep an eye out for the charming bottlenose dolphins that often join divers for multiple close passes. Engage in awe-inspiring encounters with dolphins in their natural habitat as they put on an unforgettable display of playfulness and curiosity.
Whale sharks are most frequently spotted in November and December. Watch for pods of pelagic fish like jacks and barracuda cruising the waters around Socorro, and marvel at the sight of large gamefish like tuna, wahoo, and marlin. When the water cools in February and March, dangle on the edge of your seat as humpback whales surface, breathe, and sometimes breach near the surface of the rugged sea from the liveaboard. If you're really lucky, you might catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures underwater during a dive.
Macro Lens Enthusiasts, Beware
While it may not be the best place for macro photography, divers who insist on using macro lenses can occasionally find eels, octopuses, nudibranchs, and various critters. It's best to inquire beforehand if macro photography opportunities will be plentiful during your Socorro liveaboard trip.
Wreck Diving in Socorro
- Water Temperature: Varies from 24-27C/75-80F in November, December, early January, late April, and May. You'll need a 5mm wetsuit with optional hooded vest (or depending on how cold you feel in the water) as dive gloves are not permitted by law.
- Depth Range: Dive depths range from 33 - 100ft (10 - 30m)
- Visibility: Varies, with Roca Partida often boasting impressive visibility over 100ft
The Typical Socorro Dive
A typical dive in Socorro is conducted from pangas, small boats offering easy access to dive sites. Once aboard, divers perform backroll entries into the water, and descent to 60-80 feet (18-25 meters) to locate the mantas and sharks. Explore the depths and encounter these magnificent creatures before ascending for a multi-level dive profile, carrying out safety stops in the blue water for another chance to spot pelagic life.
Socorro’s Best Dive Sites
- Roca Partida: Offering unparalleled big-animal encounters, Roca Partida ranks among the best dive sites in the world. Expect to find a wide array of pelagics, from Galapagos sharks to winning contests with schooling jacks, tuna, and bottle-nose dolphins. You'll also have opportunities to swim alongside whale sharks, manta rays, and, with a bit of luck, tiger sharks.
- The Boiler, San Benedicto Island: A small pinnacle reaching 20 feet beneath the surface, The Boiler is surrounded by an ocean that often produces surf and swell, giving the impression of a boiling cauldron. The pinnacle's size allows for swimming around during a single dive, presenting an impressive, majestic sight from every perspective. The bottom of the pinnacle is at around 160 feet (47 meters), requiring careful consideration of your weight while diving. The area is also a popular cleaning station for the giant Pacific manta ray.
- The Canyon, San Benedicto Island: This site is a shark lover's dream, offering opportunities for encounters with silvertip and Galapagos sharks. Hammerheads and occasional tiger sharks are sometimes spotted as well.
- Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island: A haven for divers and manta rays, with hammerhead sharks circling above in the open waters.
Your Journey to the Mysterious Depths
Only a liveaboard can take you to Socorro, as its remote location makes day trips impossible. Divers fly to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), where they'll board their liveaboard, either in San Jose del Cabo (15 minutes away) or Cabo San Lucas (40 minutes away). Liveaboards normally take 24 hours to reach Socorro from either city.
Attractions for Landlubbers
The beauty of Baja California extends beyond the water's edge. Get ready to explore unique experiences for non-divers or divers looking for a break from the deep blue. Don't miss the chance to watch, pet, and even kiss gray whales in San Ignacio, bask in the sun on the pristine beaches of La Paz, or marvel at the abundant marine life in Cabo Pulmo and Cabo San Lucas. Snorkel with whale sharks and sea lions in La Paz, embark on marine life safaris in Cabo San Lucas, and discover topside adventures like hiking, horseback riding, and ATV-ing. If you're craving relaxation, unwind at one of the luxurious resorts in Cabo San Lucas.
Practical Information
- Currency: Mexican Peso
- Language: Spanish, but most locals understand English
- Time Zone: UTC-7
- Electricity: 127 V 60 Hz
Useful Tips for Socorro Diving
- Flights and Hotels: Plan early if you're diving during March, as it's spring break season.
- Arriving at the Airport: Ubers aren't allowed at the airport, but shuttle and taxi alternatives are available upon reservation.
- Currency and Tax: The Mexican Peso is widely accepted, although some restaurants and souvenir shops in tourist areas accept US Dollars. Mexican Customs may charge an additional fee for professional cameras and drones. You can learn more about the camera tax here.
References:
- Bluewater Travel. (n.d.). Unforgettable Scuba Diving in Socorro Islands, Mexico
- Navarro-Martínez, V.F., & López-Tirado, L.R. (2016). The new world carcharhinid checklist: taxonomic notes on the pelagic sharks of the eastern tropical Pacific. Acta Scientiarum: Southeast Asian ex Sciences: Natural Sciences, 48(4), 21-35.
- Tomila, D. (2015). Revillagigedo Islands. In Diving the Red Sea. San Francisco, CA: Blue Ocean Enterprises.
- Wellington, L. (2020). The Socorro Islands: A Diving Paradise in Mexico’s Isolated Revillagigedo Archipelago. Oceanwide Expeditions.
- The Socorro Islands in Mexico, nicknamed 'the Little Galapagos of Mexico', offers an unforgettable underwater experience with friendly giant manta rays and other large marine animals.
- To dive in Socorro Island, you'll need to join a liveaboard, available in various options, from budget-friendly to luxurious vessels.
- For the best camera opportunities, pack your wide-angle lens or action camera to capture close encounters with manta rays, sharks, whales, dolphins, and other marine creatures.
- The scuba diving season in Socorro runs from November to May, with manta rays and various sharks being present year-round. Humpback whales are best spotted in February and March.
- Expect increased marine park fees for Socorro starting in January 2025, so it's important to stay updated for any changes.
- Besides diving, Socorro offers attractions for landlubbers, such as watching, petting, and even kissing gray whales in San Ignacio, visiting luxurious resorts in Cabo San Lucas, and enjoying a variety of topside adventures like hiking, horseback riding, and ATV-ing.
- When planning your Socorro diving trip, consider practical information like the Mexican Peso being the official currency, Spanish being the primary language (but most locals understand English), the time zone (UTC-7), and electricity (127 V, 60 Hz).
