Socorro is the largest island in the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Mexico), situated approximately 450 kilometers west of the Mexican coast. It is a volcanic island covering an area of 132 square kilometers and stands as one of the most remote locations, boasting a rich array of endemic species.
Socorro Island: Map
| Name | Socorro Island (Spanish: Isla Socorro) |
| Country | Mexico |
| State | Colima |
| Coordinates | 18°47′04″N 110°58′30″W |
| Area | 132 km2 (51 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 |
| Population | 250 |
| Airport | Socorro Island Military Airfield |
Getting to Socorro Island
To reach Socorro, one needs to go away from Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. You'll want to fly to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), after which you will transfer by bus to your departure point for the boat.
All vessels go away from Cabo Harbor, embarking on the 26-hour voyage to the Revillagigedo Archipelago. Departures for Socorro boats commonly occur in the afternoon or evening from Cabo, necessitating both a single-day stay in Cabo or arranging an early morning flight earlier than the boat's departure.
Opting for a Socorro liveaboard is excellent, as it gives handy entry to scuba diving with a rebreather.
Socorro Island Diving
Giant manta rays can be encountered in many parts of the world, but Socorro Island is renowned for its abundant population, which actively seeks interaction with divers.
While manta rays are the primary draw for visitors to Socorro, the island boasts a diverse array of other marine life, including hammerhead and silky sharks, along with ten other shark species: scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, Galapagos shark, whitetip reef shark, silvertip shark, silky shark, tiger shark, and oceanic whitetip shark. The roster also includes whale sharks, dusky sharks, and occasionally even thresher sharks.
Additionally, there are bottlenose dolphins, often seen leisurely cruising alongside divers at specific dive sites, as well as large schools of fish. Aquatic species and seasonal sightings of humpback whales further enrich the underwater experience.
Best Time to Diving in Socorro Island
The diving season at the Socorro Islands spans from November to May of the subsequent 12 months, aligning with liveaboard itineraries.
Water temperatures range between 24-27°C/75-80°F in November, December, early January, past due April, and May. Temperatures drop slightly to 21-23°C/70-74°F in past due January, February, March, and early April.
The premier time for diving Socorro relies upon what you want to peer and the situations you select. Giant manta rays and diverse shark species are present 12 months-spherical. Humpback whales collect across the islands in February and March, although spotting them underwater calls for a stroke of success.
You can check the diving trip at https://www.escafandra.com or https://travel.padi.com/.
