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Bubble Makers Unite to Play with San Benedicto's Manta Population
Published by Paul Cowles, Editor
Country: Mexico 
The Experience
When you come face to face with a Giant Pacific manta ray, it makes you want to find more ways to identify with them. The simple fact that a manta is almost always paired with the words "magical" or "unimaginable" may provide some insight as to why manta diving has become so popular. There is no better location in the world to experience this magical creature then at the Revillagigedos Islands, an environment equally matched in intrigue. A remote chain of volcanic pinnacles, the Revillagigedos Islands are comprised of 4 islands: San Benedicto Island, Socorro Island, Roca Partida and Clarionis.
Off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, you can find these islands if you are brave enough to search them out. Board the Solmar V Socorro liveaboard and set sail for the Revillagigedos Islands, a minimum 24 hour trip. For the ultimate manta diving encounter, the Socorro liveaboard will take you straight to San Benedicto Island.
Every dive you go on around San Benedicto and Socorro Island you will encounter manta rays. In certain places, they will actually wait for you to enter the water, circling around the anchor lines. Many believe that the manta population here is attracted to the bubbles made by scuba divers, and having them ripple off their nearly twenty foot wingspan.
Manta diving is one of life's greatest wildlife encounters. Naturally curious creatures, mantas will circle you with the grace of a dancer, surveying you eye to eye. On the Solmar Socorro liveaboard, you will find them in all ages and sizes, from small juveniles to old matriarchs.
Mantas can live to be more than twenty years, so many of the rays you will play with around Socorro Island will be ones that have been interacting with divers here for years. Over the years the mantas have been identified, and you can find their individual cards aboard the Solmar V—each one with a name and a depiction of the markings that can be found on the bottom side of the manta.
Given the richness of the area and the chance to see so many different large pelagics, you actually gets to the point of begging the mantas to leave you alone just so you can actually focus on some of the other sea life, like hammerheads, whale sharks or dolphins.
Of course, on many liveaboards around the world, you would think you'd won the lottery to get so many close encounters with a manta ray, which tells you just how special a place San Benedicto Island and Socorro Island are. They are a rare refuge for a species under threat as shark finners turn their attention to other species in order to meet demand by the asian community. These days, manta gills are fetching top dollar, and their fins are being substituted for sharks.
Years ago, divers were told it was okay to touch the mantas, and that they desired to be touched or tickled. Now the new crew of the Solmar, with formal backgrounds in marine biology, communicate that mantas are not to be touched and that stroking a manta may actually cause harm by removing the useful bacteria coating that protects their skin against parasite infestation. At times, respecting this can be challenging as these Giant Pacific manta rays are not shy and will approach you to the point of hovering a mere few inches away.
Off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, you can find these islands if you are brave enough to search them out. Board the Solmar V Socorro liveaboard and set sail for the Revillagigedos Islands, a minimum 24 hour trip. For the ultimate manta diving encounter, the Socorro liveaboard will take you straight to San Benedicto Island.
Every dive you go on around San Benedicto and Socorro Island you will encounter manta rays. In certain places, they will actually wait for you to enter the water, circling around the anchor lines. Many believe that the manta population here is attracted to the bubbles made by scuba divers, and having them ripple off their nearly twenty foot wingspan.
Manta diving is one of life's greatest wildlife encounters. Naturally curious creatures, mantas will circle you with the grace of a dancer, surveying you eye to eye. On the Solmar Socorro liveaboard, you will find them in all ages and sizes, from small juveniles to old matriarchs.
Mantas can live to be more than twenty years, so many of the rays you will play with around Socorro Island will be ones that have been interacting with divers here for years. Over the years the mantas have been identified, and you can find their individual cards aboard the Solmar V—each one with a name and a depiction of the markings that can be found on the bottom side of the manta.
Given the richness of the area and the chance to see so many different large pelagics, you actually gets to the point of begging the mantas to leave you alone just so you can actually focus on some of the other sea life, like hammerheads, whale sharks or dolphins.
Of course, on many liveaboards around the world, you would think you'd won the lottery to get so many close encounters with a manta ray, which tells you just how special a place San Benedicto Island and Socorro Island are. They are a rare refuge for a species under threat as shark finners turn their attention to other species in order to meet demand by the asian community. These days, manta gills are fetching top dollar, and their fins are being substituted for sharks.
Years ago, divers were told it was okay to touch the mantas, and that they desired to be touched or tickled. Now the new crew of the Solmar, with formal backgrounds in marine biology, communicate that mantas are not to be touched and that stroking a manta may actually cause harm by removing the useful bacteria coating that protects their skin against parasite infestation. At times, respecting this can be challenging as these Giant Pacific manta rays are not shy and will approach you to the point of hovering a mere few inches away.
Solmar V is both luxury and adventure.
When to Go to Manta Diving San Benedicto
Manta diving can be experienced throughout the Solmar V's Socorro Island liveaboard season, roughly October through May. Depending on the weather and currents, you may be able to dive famous spots, like "The Boiler," which are known for increased numbers of mantas in a single dive. Worst case, you'll be restricted to other sites where you may only get four or five different mantas on each dive.
Manta diving is not dangerous as they are filter feeders, with only a curious interest in humans. Given that and their graceful, inquisitive nature, they are equally approachable by novice divers as those with many years experience.
Solmar V runs the Socorro liveaboard from Cabo San Lucas between October through May. Cost of the trip runs from $3,200 to $3,300 depending on the cabin and time of year.
Manta diving is not dangerous as they are filter feeders, with only a curious interest in humans. Given that and their graceful, inquisitive nature, they are equally approachable by novice divers as those with many years experience.
Solmar V runs the Socorro liveaboard from Cabo San Lucas between October through May. Cost of the trip runs from $3,200 to $3,300 depending on the cabin and time of year.
Odds n' Ends
You'll want to bring a good wetsuit as you'll be in the water for 3-4 dives per day. The Revillagigedo Islands do not allow night dives, so all your manta diving will be during the day.
As part of visiting the Revillagigedo Islands you will need to check in to the Mexican Navy base, so makes sure your papers are in order.
If you love to take underwater photos, make sure to to bring a wide angle lens as getting a giant manta in the frame can be very difficult, especially when they are only a foot away from your face!
As part of visiting the Revillagigedo Islands you will need to check in to the Mexican Navy base, so makes sure your papers are in order.
If you love to take underwater photos, make sure to to bring a wide angle lens as getting a giant manta in the frame can be very difficult, especially when they are only a foot away from your face!
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 ...35 miles away.
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.
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Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- Solmar V rescues a dolphin - Wetpixel.com (magazine)
- Solmar V Gets Greener - DivePhotoGuide.com (magazine)
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