Location: Socorro Island, Mexico (fly into Los Cabos, Baja)
Giant Manta Rays of Socorro Island
Consistently spectacular manta encounters
Come diving with friendly Giant Manta Rays and encounter migrating Humpback Whales. Also, expect to dive with playful bottlenose dolphins, Galapagos sharks, silkies, hammerheads, whitetip sharks and other pelagic predators at spectacular Socorro Island and Roca Partida!
Join me on this 8 day expedition to beautiful Isla Socorro which lies 240 miles south of Cabo San Lucas (our point of departure for this epic adventure).
Manta Magic!
The Giant Mantas at Socorro are huge and extremely social creatures. Its hard to imagine until you dive there but these mantas actually seek out divers, returning to them dive after dive for attention. Some researchers believe that the mantas enjoy the feeling of bubbles cascading over their bodies, others think that the mantas are actually curious about the divers and enjoy their companionship. What ever the reason is, the result is extremely close encounters with enormous animals dive after dive.
Socorro is one of the few places where you can see giant black mantas as well as the more conventional black and white variety. Spending an hour long dive with a six meter wide black manta that won’t leave you alone is an experience you will never forget!
THE ENCOUNTER
Diving with Giant Mantas, schooling hammerheads and other sharks, plus humpback whale encounters
2022
DATES
9+ day trips available from November to June. Please inquire.
PRICE (USD)
$3295 per person in a triple stateroom.
$3695 per person in a twin stateroom.
$4620 for one person in a private stateroom.
$4195 per person in a twin superior suite.
$4795 per person in a Premium Suite.
Spaces Available
LEADER
N/A
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Choice of Nautilus Luxury Liveaboard diving vessels
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Moderate. Advanced open water certification preferred.
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
At Socorro, massive mantas block out the sun!
HUMPBACKS
The expedition is specifically timed to arrive in the heart of the giant manta season but it is also the best time to witness the humpback whale migration when mothers are looking after their newborn calves. The calves are sometimes curious and occasionally approach lucky snorkelers and divers.
Humpbacks are also known for their haunting whale songs and their acrobatic displays during which they often launch completely out of the water. Bring along a topside camera to catch these epic leaps and expect to see them slapping the surface with their enormous pectoral fins and tail flukes.
SHARKS, DOLPHINS AND OTHER MARINE LIFE
The abundant marine life at Socorro attracts sharks and other pelagic predators from far and wide. Although it’s possible to see any number of different species, the most common sharks at the archipelago are Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, silvertips, scalloped hammerheads and whitetip reef sharks. Also expect to see sea lions, huge stingrays and more moray eels and octopuses than you can point a camera at.
ITINERARY
| Day 1 | We depart from Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San Jose del Cabo at 11:00 a.m. It takes about 22 hrs to navigate to the first island. You can whale watch along the way, bring your favorite home movies to play in the tv room or take advantage of this lazy day to take a nitrox class. Diving Nitrox will increase your bottom time on your dives at the archipelago. |
| Day 2 | We expect to arrive in the early afternoon. The first ‘check out’ dive is for testing buoyancy, new dive equipment and/or cameras. This is usually at a relatively shallow, well protected dive site but that doesn’t mean we won’t see big animals. Even the shallow inshore sites at Socorro attract marine-megafauna so get ready with your wide angle lens! We usually conduct 2 dives during the first day depending on our arrival time at the archipelago. |
| Days 3-6 | We will dive at all of the classic sites in the Revillagigedo islands including famous spots like ‘The Boiler’ and ‘Roca Partida’. Although giant mantas will be the focus, we will also target sites that are known to have schools of hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks and other megafauna. If there are humpback whales present between dives, we will also try to jump in with them to take some underwater images in the clear blue water around the islands. Expect 3-4 dives per day. |
| Day 7 | On our 6th and final day of diving, we will conduct 3 dives before we say farewell to Socorro and start the journey back to San jose del Cabo. By this time you will have thousands of digital photos and hours of video to keep you busy on the overnight sail back to Cabo. |
| Day 8 | We usually arrive back at Puerto Los Cabos Marina some time in the afternoon. In case of delays on the crossing, we suggest that you overnight in a hotel in SJD on the final night. If you have any energy left after this dynamic adventure, the group usually reunites for dinner and a night on the town before departing the next morning. |
Don’t miss this trip! Its one of the most well-rounded adventures in the world!
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
TRIP REPORTS
February 2020 Socorro Manta and Shark Adventure Trip Report
March 2018 Socorro Manta and Shark Adventure Trip Report
January 2018 Socorro Manta and Shark Adventure Trip Report
March 2017 Socorro Manta and Shark Adventure Trip Report
February 2017 Socorro Manta and Shark Adventure Trip Report
March 2016 Socorro Manta and Shark Adventure Trip Report
March 2015 Socorro Manta and Shark Adventure Trip Report
Big Fish Expeditions
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last two decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
