Blues Runner
Contributor
I recently returned from a nine day dive expedition to the Socorro Islands aboard the Nautilus Explorer. The islands are 250 miles due west into the Pacific from Cabo San Lucas Mexico. Four of the nine days are utilized for transit from Cabo San Lucas to the Revillagigedo Islands and back. The islands were formed from volcanos and rise to the surface from 5000 feet of water. The islands of Socorro sit on a oceanic current superhighway that attracts a variety of large marine creatures. We dove three of the four islands -San Benedicto, Roca Partida and Socorro.
During our dives, we encountered oceanic manta rays, dolphins, yellow fin tuna, wahoo, and five different species of sharks including Galapagos and hammer heads The encounters were memorizing. The Mantas glide through the water as if performing ballet.
We had a fun group of people on board to share this adventure with. The Explorer was a great diving platform with a great crew, wonderful/plentiful food and a well stocked bar.
The highlight of Socorro for me, was the interaction with the endangered Oceanic Manta Rays. The largest weigh two tons and have wing spans approaching 29 feet. They live up to 40 years. Unfortunately, mantas are hunted for their gill plates which are used for medicinal tonics that have no basis in science. The Manta Trust and other organizations are fighting to stop the harvesting.
"Never enough"..........
During our dives, we encountered oceanic manta rays, dolphins, yellow fin tuna, wahoo, and five different species of sharks including Galapagos and hammer heads The encounters were memorizing. The Mantas glide through the water as if performing ballet.
We had a fun group of people on board to share this adventure with. The Explorer was a great diving platform with a great crew, wonderful/plentiful food and a well stocked bar.
The highlight of Socorro for me, was the interaction with the endangered Oceanic Manta Rays. The largest weigh two tons and have wing spans approaching 29 feet. They live up to 40 years. Unfortunately, mantas are hunted for their gill plates which are used for medicinal tonics that have no basis in science. The Manta Trust and other organizations are fighting to stop the harvesting.
"Never enough"..........