This is my story of first-time diving in Socorro Islands, considered to be among the best diving sites in the world. I was on board the Nautilus Liveaboards and the experience has been nothing short of exceptional.
Our journey on the Belle Amie liveaboard began at approximately 8 pm as we left port from Cabos San Lucas. We were handed flutes of champagne when we boarded the boat and began mingling with the crew and fellow passengers. This is a great time to meet people from all over the world and understand different cultures, languages, and life experiences. But there is one thing common for all and that is a profound love of the ocean and all the creatures that reside there.
For the next 24 hours, we sailed across the Pacific Ocean to the very famous Socorro Islands. This time I was liveaboard savvy enough to bring sea sickness medication to quell any nausea that may arise. It was a good thing I did. The way out to the islands was very choppy and the waves were relentless. Fortunately, my bed was rocking up and down instead of side to side. It kind of gives you the sensation of being rocked in a crib.
Saturday night I slept with the Ocean cradle rocking me into a deep slumber. But the night we arrived I was unable to sleep at all thinking of the excitement of the days ahead. So, I spent a lot of time on the top deck that evening watching the stars, waves, and fish.
It is hard to describe how the stars look when you are not surrounded by a haze of lights. The stars looked bright in the inky-black darkness and the Milky Way was prominent across the sky, showing me her lighted pathway as the moon cast a silver shimmer on the rolling waves. The lights from below the boat attracted hundreds of fish that jumped out of the water to get their late-night meal.
But they were not the only visitors. Out of the shadows, I saw a dorsal fin breach the water. When it came into the light, I recognized the graceful way only a shark swims and watched him circle the boat. He was not the only one as I counted a total of 6 sharks at a time. It was later confirmed that they were silky sharks who like to greet the boats when they arrive on the islands.
Starting My Dive Trip at San Benedicto
The first island we dived was San Benedicto. It is a volcanic island surrounded by black sand and very little vegetation. Our day started early at 5:30 am when we gathered our equipment and headed to the dining area for a continental breakfast at 6:00 am. A muffin and some orange juice were enough to satiate my hunger while I got ready for the first dive at 7:00 am.
With all my equipment assembled I climbed aboard the skiff and we were on our way to some fantastic diving.
My dive group backrolled off the skiff into the water, which was a little chillier than I expected, but my 3mm did the trick for me. I would not suggest that for everybody since I have the cold tolerance of a polar bear. Most people were wearing 5mm to 7mm with layers and some were still chilly.
Once I was able to overcome the cold, I was mesmerized by the blue that surrounded me. In that blue there were more fish than I could count, sharks, and of course manta rays. All the mantas we saw were chevron mantas, but there was an all-black manta that came to say hello. He did not play with us like I was hoping and continued on his way to do his business! We also had a pod of dolphins swim right through our group and take a quick turn. They must have also had dolphin things to do because they did not stop to interact either.
It was still amazing getting this close to these magnificent animals. There was also a large turtle who was eating breakfast on the seabed. He was not bothered at all by our presence and continued to chomp on whatever vegetation he could find. This was just day one and already I am beginning to have a surreal feeling at all the splendor around me.
Rich Marine Life at Roca Partida
The second day of diving was at Roca Partida which is two volcanic rocks sticking out of the Ocean. Various species of sea birds call it their home.
This dive was more in the blue with hardly any topography for reference. The only reference point was the rocks that you would not want to get close to, especially with the current. We just drifted with the current and waited for the animals to come to us, and they did not disappoint.
I heard the divemaster send out a signal warning us that she had seen something. When she had our attention, she pointed down to approximately 70 feet away where I saw a large flat mouth and many, many spots. It was a whale shark that I have been yearning to see my whole life. Not only was she approximately 30 feet away from me, but I was sure that she would be nothing less than 40 to 50 feet and that means MASSIVE! Even the divemaster was awestruck by her size. I was completely mesmerized by this encounter as were the other divers.
I held back my tears in fear of fogging up my mask and just watched her swim majestically underneath us. Those spots seemed to go on forever. She came around one more time and then disappeared into the blue. I would love to see her again and will miss her in my dreams.
Summing up
This is only the second day of diving and there has already been so much activity. The crew with their profound knowledge and experience of the spot helped us to be in the most active areas – the right place at the right time (depending on the current of course) to have close encounters with wonderful marine life.
A few more days of diving left, and we have already been so lucky. I can feel it in my bones that more surprises are coming up.
