Jan
01
2012
Mar
31
2012
Jan
01
2013
Mar
31
2013
Jan
01
2014
Mar
31
2014
Jan
01
2015
Mar
31
2015
Jan
01
2016
Mar
31
2016
Jan
01
2017
Mar
31
2017
Sing Along with a Humpback Whale at Socorro
Published by Paul Cowles, Editor
Country: Mexico 
The Experience
During man's next age of enlightenment, Earth will be called "sea". The world's oceans cover 70 per cent of its surface, and harbour the majority of species. The most majestic of these, the humpback whale, can be best appreciated on a liveaboard to a little known refuge in the waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Here, a chain of volcanic islands rise up from the ocean floor, over 1,050 metres below. The Revillagigedos Islands, commonly referred to as Socorro, are special because in a time when most dive spots are suffering a loss, here humpback encounters continue to flourish.
Your dive vacation begins by flying into Cabo San Lucas and boarding the impressive Solmar V. Hunker down on the deck before departing on the Socorro liveaboard to ensure you've got everything you need for the voyage. There's no turning back once you weigh anchor. Bunking up with other divers might seem a little awkward at first, but rest assured the folks that roll in these quarters are arguably some of the most open-minded and intriguing people you can hope to come by. As you pull away from the marina, sit back and enjoy a beverage as seals chase returning fishing boats for leftover bait. Past the marina, you'll see the famous and beautiful natural rock archway that marks the harbour of Cabo San Lucas, known as Land's End at the tip of Baja California.
The Socorro liveaboard transports divers to a world where humpback whales come to calve and breed. Submerge yourself in a world where complex songs are sung in a beautifully unfamiliar language. After feeding in polar waters during the summer, humpbacks migrate to Socorro Island to give birth and find friends. It's hard to believe in a time where breaches, tail lobbing and fin slapping abound, that these humpback whales are powered only by their fat reserves. To have a chance to swim with these gentle giants (that can top the scale out around 80,000 lb) is most certainly a once in a lifetime experience.
Most liveaboards have you diving and returning to the main ship, but the Solmar V has added two luxury inflatables that take you close to pinnacles and pick you up wherever a current or encounter may take you. The inflatables are a comforting safety, but be warned if you're the first one in, you will be the last out. Given the waves, it can be rather upsetting, if you get my drift. These feelings are fleeting and if nothing else, make you feel bad ass. Like you're a Navy Seal, pulling yourself from the wild waters below and over the side to the safety of the inflatable.
The Socorro liveabord allows you to explore areas that are beyond the stretches of land, and for the most part, the reach of humans in general. Here, face to face with some of the biggest marine mammals you could ever wish to encounter, like humpback whales, mantas, sharks and dolphins, it's easy to understand that if you want the wildest encounters you need to distance yourself as far as possible from the reaches of man. Consider a liveaboard akin to going on Safari, only out at sea. Try one, and I guarantee you will begin to wonder why this planet isn't called "sea" and not Earth too.
Your dive vacation begins by flying into Cabo San Lucas and boarding the impressive Solmar V. Hunker down on the deck before departing on the Socorro liveaboard to ensure you've got everything you need for the voyage. There's no turning back once you weigh anchor. Bunking up with other divers might seem a little awkward at first, but rest assured the folks that roll in these quarters are arguably some of the most open-minded and intriguing people you can hope to come by. As you pull away from the marina, sit back and enjoy a beverage as seals chase returning fishing boats for leftover bait. Past the marina, you'll see the famous and beautiful natural rock archway that marks the harbour of Cabo San Lucas, known as Land's End at the tip of Baja California.
The Socorro liveaboard transports divers to a world where humpback whales come to calve and breed. Submerge yourself in a world where complex songs are sung in a beautifully unfamiliar language. After feeding in polar waters during the summer, humpbacks migrate to Socorro Island to give birth and find friends. It's hard to believe in a time where breaches, tail lobbing and fin slapping abound, that these humpback whales are powered only by their fat reserves. To have a chance to swim with these gentle giants (that can top the scale out around 80,000 lb) is most certainly a once in a lifetime experience.
Most liveaboards have you diving and returning to the main ship, but the Solmar V has added two luxury inflatables that take you close to pinnacles and pick you up wherever a current or encounter may take you. The inflatables are a comforting safety, but be warned if you're the first one in, you will be the last out. Given the waves, it can be rather upsetting, if you get my drift. These feelings are fleeting and if nothing else, make you feel bad ass. Like you're a Navy Seal, pulling yourself from the wild waters below and over the side to the safety of the inflatable.
The Socorro liveabord allows you to explore areas that are beyond the stretches of land, and for the most part, the reach of humans in general. Here, face to face with some of the biggest marine mammals you could ever wish to encounter, like humpback whales, mantas, sharks and dolphins, it's easy to understand that if you want the wildest encounters you need to distance yourself as far as possible from the reaches of man. Consider a liveaboard akin to going on Safari, only out at sea. Try one, and I guarantee you will begin to wonder why this planet isn't called "sea" and not Earth too.
Solmar V is both luxury and adventure.
When to Go to Humpback Whale Socorro
The Solmar V offers different liveaboard trips depending on the season. The most popular trips are those to Socorro Island for encounters with giant mantas and gumpback whales, Guadeloupe island for cage diving with Great White sharks, and the sea of Cortez for a variety of sea life including giant schools of eagle rays. January through March is breeding and calving season for humpback whales at Socorro Island, making it prime time for your dive vacation.
Given that you're heading off to the middle of the ocean, expect a certain amount of rough sea no matter what. It is the inherent unpredictablness of the seas and what you may find within them that make a liveaboard dive vacation so adventurous.
Given that you're heading off to the middle of the ocean, expect a certain amount of rough sea no matter what. It is the inherent unpredictablness of the seas and what you may find within them that make a liveaboard dive vacation so adventurous.
Odds n' Ends
Pack light. Your living quarters won't have room for giant suitcases. Soft duffle bags are great as they can be compacted and stored in tight spaces. You'll only want a few sets of shorts and tees plus perhaps one pullover for the cool nights. Everyone on board appreciates new entertainment, so DVDs are a great thing to bring to share.
Sea sickness medicine is a must. Often the waters closest to the continental shelf are the roughest, so you'll want to take your sea sickness meds right away.
Diving wise, you'll want a 5-7mm wetsuit for this area of the Pacific, along with a dive computer, compass, emergency inflatable. BCDs, masks and fins are available for rent, but the gear available in Cabo San Lucas isn't as new or plentiful as other dive destinations. At this time, its recommended that you bring all your own gear or rent from home and bring into Mexico.
Sea sickness medicine is a must. Often the waters closest to the continental shelf are the roughest, so you'll want to take your sea sickness meds right away.
Diving wise, you'll want a 5-7mm wetsuit for this area of the Pacific, along with a dive computer, compass, emergency inflatable. BCDs, masks and fins are available for rent, but the gear available in Cabo San Lucas isn't as new or plentiful as other dive destinations. At this time, its recommended that you bring all your own gear or rent from home and bring into Mexico.
More Experiences Nearby
- Come Toe to Tail With One of Earth's Most Intelligent Species
- Off the posh and popular coast of Cabo San Lucas lies Socorro Island, a frontier as remote and rugged as they come. As any great explorer knows, you need to stay with the locals to fully appreciate a place, and as Socorro is an uninhabitable volcanic island, the best way to explore here is on a liveaboard. Set sail with Solmar V on a Socorro liveaboard and be prepared to splashdown with one of the world's most intelligent species, the Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin. A pursuit so great isn't without some hardship, though. The journey from Cabo San Lucas to Socorro ...
Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
This 9 day liveaboard brings you up close to hammerhead schools, bottlenose dolphins, Giant Pacific manta ray and occasional encounters with whale sharks & humpbacks.
Starting from $3200.00 per person.
Starting from $3200.00 per person.
Video
Video Wall
You are now being transfered to our Video Wall
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- Solmar V rescues a dolphin - Wetpixel.com (magazine)
- Solmar V Gets Greener - DivePhotoGuide.com (magazine)
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Japanese 
,
Spanish
are some of the languages spoken in Mexico. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "Humpback Whale Socorro":
