WhenToDive
Eastern Pacific · Mexico · 18.72°N 110.95°W

Socorro (Revillagigedos)

The Revillagigedos — locally called Socorro after its main island — are four volcanic islands 400km south of Cabo San Lucas, reached only by liveaboard on a 24-hour crossing. Socorro is the premier destination in the world for giant oceanic mantas (Mobula birostris), which deliberately interact with divers at cleaning stations around San Benedicto and Roca Partida. Humpback whales are present January to April; silky sharks, Galápagos sharks, scalloped hammerheads, and the occasional tiger round out the pelagic cast. Diving season runs November to May.

Skill
advanced
Budget
high
Airport
Cabo San Lucas (SJD)
Visa
Tourist card on arrival for most nationalities, 180 days

The Revillagigedos — locally called Socorro after its main island — are four volcanic islands 400km south of Cabo San Lucas, reached only by liveaboard on a 24-hour crossing. Socorro is the premier destination in the world for giant oceanic mantas (Mobula birostris), which deliberately interact with divers at cleaning stations around San Benedicto and Roca Partida. Humpback whales are present January to April; silky sharks, Galápagos sharks, scalloped hammerheads, and the occasional tiger round out the pelagic cast. Diving season runs November to May.

The year at a glance

Jan 5
Feb 5
Mar 5
Apr 5
May 5
Jun 1
Jul 1
Aug 1
Sep 1
Oct 1
Nov 4
Dec 5
Score 1–5 · water, visibility, conditions, species 1 2 3 4 5
Jan 5/5
Water
23–26 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
low
Feb 5/5
Water
22–25 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
low
Mar 5/5
Water
21–24 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
low
Apr 5/5
Water
22–25 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
calm
Rain
low
May 5/5
Water
23–26 °C
Viz
25–35 m
Sea
calm
Rain
low
Jun 1/5
Water
25–28 °C
Viz
25–35 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
low
Jul 1/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
25–35 m
Sea
rough
Rain
moderate
Aug 1/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
25–35 m
Sea
rough
Rain
moderate
Sep 1/5
Water
27–29 °C
Viz
25–35 m
Sea
rough
Rain
high
Oct 1/5
Water
26–28 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
rough
Rain
moderate
Nov 4/5
Water
25–27 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
low
Dec 5/5
Water
24–26 °C
Viz
20–30 m
Sea
moderate
Rain
low

Signature dive sites

The sites you'll hear about in every briefing.

  • 01

    The Boiler (San Benedicto)

    Submerged pinnacle with resident giant mantas at cleaning stations.

  • 02

    Roca Partida

    Tiny volcanic pinnacle surrounded by open ocean; sharks, mantas, whale sharks.

  • 03

    El Cañon

    Hammerhead schools and more manta action.

What you'll see

Top species with their April status.

Marine life by month

Peak Present Rare

Species
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Notes
Resident cleaning stations at The Boiler, Roca Partida, El Cañon
Singing males audible throughout the season; occasional in-water encounters
Schools at Roca Partida

Getting there

Gateway

Fly into Cabo San Lucas (SJD). Visa: Tourist card on arrival for most nationalities, 180 days.

Best months

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec

Avoid

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

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