Revillagigedo Archipelago, also known as Socorro Islands, is a group of 4 volcanic islands that sit 250 miles off the shores of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California. The remote and scarcely inhabited area has a special underwater ecosystem that supports an incredible number of pelagic marine species. The islands are San Benedicto, where most mantas congregate; Socorro, the largest island of the archipelago, Roca Pertida, a pinnacle rising 115ft/35m from the surface, and Clarion.
The Oceanic Manta rays are the main attraction for divers from all around the world, who come to experience breathtaking encounters with the friendly resident mantas who come to get cleaned at the cleaning station at "El Boiler" dive site. They seem to enjoy the presence of humans and have fun "playing" with SCUBA diver's bubbles.
The deep and clear waters also attract many sharks types, such as Silky sharks, Galapagos, Hammerheads, Oceanic White Tip, Tiger and in season even gigantic Whale sharks. Also, Buttlenose dolphins, Barracudas, Tuna and whales are often spotted from the boat and while diving.
Quino El Guardian host special Citizen Science on selected trips. The great crew of Quino El Guardian liveaboard invite you to join leading marine biologists and researchers in a unique and fascinating trip to research sharks or mantas. Learn how to tag and take skin samples of sharks and mantas, help scientists with censusing and behavioral studies, understand shark biology and ecology and learn how to photo-ID mantas and sharks. All this, while SCUBA diving in deep-blue waters, surrounded by some amazing mega-fauna.
Diving season runs between November and May. Humpback whales are usually in the area around February-April, and Whale sharks pass by in November, December and May.
On top of the regular Socorro trip itinerary during citizen science trips, you will be able to learn and assist researchers with tagging mantas and sharks, capturing sharks (adult and pups), deploying and recovering baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS), document data on spreadsheets and attend classes and presentations. (*See special Citizen Science dates below)
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Board the boat at 5 pm. Dinner is served at 7 pm. The boat departs shortly after dinner.
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - San Benedicto - 4 dives scheduled
Day 4 - Roca Partida - 3 dives scheduled
Day 5 - Roca Partida - 3 dives scheduled
Day 6 - Socorro Island - 3 dives scheduled (check-in with the naval station)\
Day 7 - Socorro Island - 4 dives scheduled
Day 8 - San Benedicto - 3 dives scheduled - at the end of the day, we will start our return to San Jose del Cabo
Day 9 - At Sea
Day 10 - Arrive at San Jose del Cabo in the early morning hours - disembark at 8:30 am
Special Citizen Science trip dates:
2021:
Feb 25 - Mar 6, 2021: Citizen Science Shark Expedition - $3600
Apr 29 - May 8, 2021: Citizen Science Dolphin Expedition with FIN-Project - $3600
Nov 21-30,2021: Citizen Science / Ultrasounding Pregnant Whale Sharks & Mantas - $3600
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