Diving Socorro: The Galapagos of Mexico

Ben Lair   Sep 16, 2025

The Galapagos of Mexico: Why Socorro Should Be Your Next Big Dive Trip

For those of us who travel the world in search of the extraordinary, there are certain names that echo with the promise of adventure: Galápagos, Cocos, Fiji. Among this elite list of premier diving destinations lies a remote volcanic archipelago 240 miles off the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula: the Revillagigedo Islands, most famously known to divers as simply Socorro.

This is not a destination for a casual beach vacation. Accessible only by liveaboard after a 24-hour open-ocean crossing, a trip to Socorro is a true expedition. It's a journey for divers who crave raw, untamed nature and encounters with some of the largest and most intelligent animals in the sea. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a protected biosphere, a magnet for pelagic life, and it offers some of the most profound and personal big animal interactions available anywhere on Earth.

The Giants That Seek You Out: The Manta Rays of Socorro

Socorro is, first and foremost, the kingdom of the giant Pacific manta ray. But the encounters here are different from anywhere else. The resident mantas of the Revillagigedo Archipelago are famous for their size, with wingspans often exceeding 16 feet, and for their incredibly curious and interactive behavior.

At sites like the legendary "Boiler" at San Benedicto Island, these majestic giants actively seek out divers. They will glide in from the blue and hover directly over your head, enjoying the feeling of your exhaled bubbles tickling their bellies. They make eye contact. They will stay with your group for minutes at a time, performing graceful ballets in the water column. It is an intimate, powerful, and truly life-changing experience that is the hallmark of Socorro diving.

A Symphony of Sharks

If you are a shark lover, Socorro will feel like coming home. The deep, nutrient-rich waters surrounding the islands attract an incredible diversity of shark species. It is common to see large schools of scalloped hammerheads cruising in the blue, especially at Roca Partida, a sheer pinnacle that rises from the abyss. You will be accompanied on almost every dive by whitetip reef sharks, silky sharks, and the sleek, powerful Galápagos sharks. During the right season, lucky divers might even encounter the shadows of tiger sharks or oceanic whitetips.

The Cetacean Connection: Dolphins and Whales

The magic of Socorro extends beyond fish. The islands are home to a resident population of incredibly playful bottlenose dolphins that, much like the mantas, seem to genuinely enjoy interacting with divers. It is a truly special moment when a pod of dolphins chooses to join your dive, zipping around the group, making eye contact, and communicating with their clicks and whistles.

Furthermore, if you plan your trip for the right time of year (typically January through March), you are in for an even bigger treat. This is when thousands of humpback whales arrive in the archipelago to breed and calve. You will be serenaded by the hauntingly beautiful songs of male humpbacks on almost every single dive. The sound is so powerful it vibrates through your chest. And if you are exceptionally lucky, you may even witness one of these gentle giants and its calf passing by on your safety stop—an experience that is truly the pinnacle of any diving career.

When to Go: A Seasonal Spectacle

The Socorro liveaboard season runs from November to May, as the open ocean crossing is too rough during the summer months. The best time to go depends on what you want to see.

• November/December: Water is at its warmest. This is a great time for schooling hammerheads and the beginning of the manta season.

• January-March: This is the heart of humpback whale season. The water is a bit cooler, but the sound of whale song is a constant companion.

• April/May: The water begins to warm up again, and this period is often a great time for whale sharks to make an appearance, alongside the ever-present mantas and sharks.

The Journey is the Destination

A trip to Socorro is a commitment, but it is one that pays dividends in memories that will last a lifetime. It is a place that reminds us of the wildness and wonder that still exists in our world. As you plan your future dive adventures, be sure to put the "Galapagos of Mexico" on your list. 72 Aquatics is set for a trip to Socorro this November aboard the Quino Del Mar Liveaboard. It is a journey that will challenge you, inspire you, and connect you with the ocean's most magnificent creatures in a way you never thought possible. Contact us today to sign up for our trip and join us in exploring this exciting destination!