Socorro Island is a volcanic island located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 600 kilometers off the coast of Mexico. It is part of an archipelago, a group of four islands that are protected as a biosphere reserve by the Mexican government. Socorro Island is renowned among scuba divers for its rich marine life, including giant manta rays, sharks, dolphins, and humpback whales.

The island itself is rugged and mountainous, with steep cliffs and rocky shores. Its volcanic origins are evident in the black sand beaches and jagged rock formations that can be seen along the coastline.

Despite its remote location, Socorro Island has become a popular destination for adventurous travelers and scuba divers seeking to experience the unique marine environment of the Pacific. The island’s isolation and protected status have helped to preserve its pristine ecosystem, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in marine conservation and natural beauty.

What To Expect

Scuba Diving

Socorro is nicknamed Mexico’s “Little Galapagos” due to its unique ecosystem and attraction of large pelagic animals. Socorro scuba diving is an underwater adventure filled with exciting encounters of large marine animals.

The giant Pacific mantas which you will meet in Socorro are the largest of the rays. They swim by moving their wing-like pectoral fins, which can grow up to 7 meters wide. These giants love to interact with divers. They can come as close as 1 meter away from you while making eye contact swimming along beside you. The local population of bottlenose dolphins has learned to mimic the behavior of the giant mantas. It is very likely that they will move in close to you as well.

You may even hear whale sharks singing through the hull of the ship at night as you lie in your bunk. Schooling hammerhead sharks may be seen at any time but the best chance to see large schools up close is April – June.

You might see:

• Whale sharks 
• Manta rays 
• Humpback whales
• Dolphins
• Silky sharks
• Galapagos sharks
• White tip sharks 

Recommended Specialty Courses

• Advanced open water
• Waves, tides & currents
• Perfect buoyancy
• Deep diving
• Photo & video
• Shark ecology