Location: Navy base and Punta Tosca, Socorro Island, Islas Revillagigedos, Mexico
Comments: Captain Dave reports that he cleared into the navy base on Socorro Island this morning and then steamed around to the protected anchorage at Punta Tosca (west side of Socorro Island). It was choppy outside but flat calm in the anchorage. Divers saw the usual complement of electric rays, Socorro lobster, silky, Galapagos and hammerhead sharks, but their most spectacular encounter was with a single bottlenose dolphin who adopted the divers.
We’ve been seeing similar behaviour from the dolphins all winter, where they hang out and literally imitate the divers. If a diver hangs on to the ascent line, the dolphin will rest the underside of his head on the line. If a diver blows bubbles, the dolphins will blow bubbles. If a diver does a 360-degree roll, the dolphin will do a full roll (well actually, they tend to be somewhat playful and will often do a 720-degree roll or even a triple barrel roll). And so on!! It is amazing!! It must be something in the water that makes the mantas, the lobster and the dolphins all behave differently down here than almost anywhere else in the world. Dave also reports that while several humpback whales came very close to the Nautilus Explorer, none of the guests were able to successfully snorkel with them, unfortunately.
Weather: Partially overcast. Wind 20 to 25 knots from the northwest. Seas flat calm in the anchorage. Air temperature 78°F
Water: Water temperature of 74°F. Visibility 75 feet.
