SOCORRO ISLANDS - Revillagigedo Archipelago aboard Nautilus Explorer
February 29 - March 9 2012
Escorted by: Cindi LaRaia
COST: Executive suite: $3925.00 per person
Deluxe Stateroom: $3425.00 per person
Plus 65.00 port fee to be paid on board
It is time to go back to Socorro!!! I am craving the interaction with the Giant Pacific Mantas, the only mantas in the world that appear to really enjoy human interaction and keep coming back after getting a belly rub!
Not to mention, all the shark species that frequent these islands; Hammerhead, silkies, silvertip, Tiger, white tip, gray reef & Galapagos sharks. If we are very lucky we may find a passing whaleshark also!
 Now I love to go at this time of year because the approx 1200 Humpback whales are frolicking there, having babies and making new ones, always an added bonus to hear these amazing gentle giants underwater in hopes one will come into view!
Another new amazing ‘happening’ are the curious bottlenose dolphins that have been approaching divers and having the same close touching interactions that humans have here with the Mantas. I am so amazed at this, what is so special about Socorro that these amazing sea creatures that we love so much seem to be free of fear and full of curiosity here!!!
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. They swim by moving their wing-like pectoral fins, which can grow up to 9 meters wide, but usually average about 7 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 1 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.
Trips board at the main dock at 8:30 am in Cabo San Lucas and depart shortly afterwards. After a one-day ocean crossing we arrive at our first dive site on the morning of the first dive day. There are 7 dive days on an 9-night trip and we will be visiting 3 different islands of this beautiful remote and deserted archipelago. We will pack up after the last full dive day for the one day voyage home, arriving in Cabo San Lucas the next evening. You spend one more night on the boat before you disembark the next morning at 8:30 a.m.
Boat niceties:
The Nautilus Explorer is one of the finest top vessels afloat today. Mike Lever, purpose built her and spared no expense. She is a very comfortable, 116’ long about 30’ wide which makes her very stable and roomy!
All staterooms have ensuite bathrooms shelves and hooks, some have 2 beds a dbl and single, and some have a double bed only. 2 executive suites are on the Bridge deck with large picture windows and a giant king bed, looks like a small hotel room.
 She is a ‘solas ship’ with all the safety features for her category type. The crew have to do full fire drills and we have to do one with our life jackets. Safety is the name of this boats game! Mike gives a full complete briefing of dive sites, emergency blasts, and what to do if you have ‘gone blue’. If blue you come directly up and deploy safety sausage. The crew are on the back deck at all times looking out for divers. We are all big kids here, no hand holding, but you must follow the safety rules. Dive masters take turns going on dives, so no problem if you like to dive with a DM.
The dive deck is giant, lots of room for suiting up out of the sun. Camera tables everywhere and the most charging stations and plugs for 110v North American plugs I have ever seen. They do a lot with rebreathers and nitrox and are fully set up for it.
The crew is excellent, friendly, efficient, happy and knowledgeable.
The food is EXCELLENT and served buffet style, plenty of choices for meat, fish, poultry and vegetarians would be happy! Lots of great Mexican dishes as well as western fare. Fresh green salad with different types of lettuce! Home made bread, soups and great deserts! A very decent bar and wine list, great margaritas and a huge list of micro beers! More details about Nautilus Explorer
Let’s go play with Mantas and dolphins, sharks and whales!!!
Cindi LaRaia
Contact Cindi at Request Info
to reserve your spot!
For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
ph- 415-444-5100
or
Request Info
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