Close Encounters in the Revillagigedo Islands
Our long-anticipated trip to Socorro with Fluvanna Dive Center on the Nautilus Explorer came with high expectations of large pelagic encounters. From my POV, diving Socorro did not disappoint as we had incredibly close encounters with giant oceanic mantas on nearly every dive; at least, 8 species of sharks; dolphins; and whale songs. Combine the diving with a great crew and awesome fellow guests and I can declare the trip an unqualified success and memorable adventure! The first check-out dive at Fondearero on San Benedicto was an auspicious beginning when a large tiger shark unexpected made an appearance. You know it’s gonna be a good trip when the dive guides are super excited! We followed that up with dives at El Cañon where a cleaning station attracted circling sharks of various species. Collectively we saw Galapagos, black-tip, silver-tip, white-tip, silky, hammerhead, and tiger sharks. Not to be forgotten was our first sightings of the famed giant oceanic mantas for which Socorro is well known. It is just awe-inspiring to be within a few feet of these majestic creatures and being blessed with an eye-to-eye connection – a shared personal moment with one of nature’s beautiful creatures. We were fortunate to have many more dives with the giant mantas – simply amazing. Also joining us on several dives were playful dolphins that bullied some of the hammerheads by nose ramming them for no apparent reason. On the second day we attempted one dive at San Benedicto’s The Boiler dive site, but sporty swell and wind conditions made for less-than-ideal diving. No loss, we simply went to the leeward side of the island for more shark and manta encounters at Lava Field and El Cañon! Overnight we transited to Socorro Island where we dove around Cabo Pearce. My log book simply says, “OMG! Mantas! Sharks!” I dare say it was a good day of diving including s large school of Hammerheads passing by. There is something really magical when large numbers of Hammerheads decide to make an appearance, allowing us to see them in their natural behaviors in their natural environment. As mentioned before, you know its been a good dive when your dive guide is excited! After such a thrilling dive day, the weather conditions calmed down enough for us to transit over to Roca Partido for a day of diving. Roca Partido is a small remote island out in the middle of the Eastern Pacific – a volcanic remnant with a sheer rocky face that plunges to the depths. It is not a large seamount – one that could easily be circumnavigated in a single dive if not for the challenging currents coming from the northwest and crashing into the rock wall of the island. Sealife seem to love the currents. The island is home to a large number of white-tip sharks that were either napping in alcoves where ten or more could be seen laying on top of one another or cruising along the wall in large groups seemingly without a care in the world. The water column was also teeming with schooling fish including snappers, trevally, and several yellow-fin tuna. Roca Partido also has its own resident mantas that chose to play in our bubbles – maintaining their billing as the stars of the show. Our last dive day was back on Socorro where we dove around Punta Tosca, a surging, but nice wrap to some awesome diving in the remote and magical waters around the Revillagigedo Archipelago with the Nautilus Explorer. As amazing as the diving was, it was sharing the experience with a great group of crew and fellow guests that will make this a truly memorable adventure. Written by: Michaele Bergan – Dive Instructor, Trip Leader, World Traveler”