You’ve booked the trip. Your excitement’s off the charts. And now you’re staring at your suitcase wondering what to pack for scuba diving in Socorro. Sound familiar?
Diving the Socorro Islands in Mexico is nothing short of epic. Picture giant mantas swooping in for eye contact, dolphins swirling through your bubbles, and sharks – lots of sharks. But to really enjoy every second of it, you’ll want to show up prepared. This guide breaks down everything you need to bring so you can focus on soaking up every moment of the action. Let’s get into it.
What dive gear should I pack for scuba diving in Socorro?
This isn’t your average reef cruise – Socorro is wild, remote, and absolutely mind-blowing. You’ll want to bring all your usual dive gear, plus a few essentials that’ll make a big difference:
• BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)
Wing, jacket, or hybrid – just bring whatever you’re most comfortable with. All styles work fine, so go with what feels best for you underwater.
• Regulator
It doesn’t matter whether you bring a DIN (Deutsche Industrie Norm) or yoke (International fitting/A-Clamp) regulator, as our DIN tanks are equipped with inserts that allow us to accommodate yoke regulators for you.
• Fins
Strong fins for powering through current!
• Dive booties
Pro tip: Neoprene diving socks in your booties can make a big difference. More comfort, fewer blisters, happier feet.
• Dive Computer
If you’re diving on Nitrox and it’s been a while, or you’re getting familiar with a new computer, take a few minutes before the trip to brush up. You’ll need to know how to switch dive modes and input your oxygen mix – and yep, that has to be done before every dive. Pro tip: always round your oxygen percentage down to the nearest whole number (so 30.8% becomes 30%) to keep your dives nice and conservative.
Most modern dive computers also let you set a depth alarm – and we highly recommend it. While our max depth is 30 meters (around 98 feet), many sites drop way deeper, and with dolphins tempting you to follow them down, it’s easy to get carried away. A little beep at the right time? It can make all the difference!
• Mask
• Dive hood
Even warm water diving can feel cold after a few repetitive dives, so if you tend to get chilly, better pack some layers.
• Wetsuit
What thickness wetsuit for scuba diving in Socorro? Depending on the season and your preference, either a 5mm or 7mm is ideal. If you are visiting in the colder months and love diving in your drysuit – bring it! January to March tend to be cooler (around 22°C / 72°F), while late spring an summer can reach up to 27°C / 80°F.
• SMB (Surface Marker Buoy)
With SMBs, size matters – the longer, the better! For scuba diving in Socorro, choose one that’s at least 5 feet or 1.5 meters long so you can be seen more easily in open water. Color makes a difference too. Red is the best option because it stands out against the ocean and is easy for boats to spot. Avoid yellow SMBs. They’re not as visible and are often used to signal emergencies.
• DiveAlert
A super loud surface signaling device. Handy, and frankly, kind of genius.
• Nautilus LifeLine Marine Rescue GPS
This little device can literally save your life. It broadcasts your GPS coordinates in an emergency and is a must for any remote diving.
• Camera or GoPro
Because you’ll want to remember everything!
All our guests have to have a SMB, DiveAlert, and a Nautilus LifeLine when scuba diving in Socorro. If you don’t have your own, don’t worry, we offer complimentary safety gear for the entire trip.
Heads-up: Park rules prohibit carrying dive knives or using flashlights. Lights that are attached to a camera are allowed.
Tanks, weights, and weight belts? We’ve got those on board.
Rental gear is also available – just let us know ahead of time so we can get you sorted at SeeCreatures before departure. And don’t worry, our liveaboards carry emergency backups if something malfunctions.
What should I pack for life on a Socorro Liveaboard?
Now let’s talk non-dive essentials. Life on board is chill, comfortable, and all about that ocean vibe. Here’s what to pack in your bag:
Clothing
• Swimsuits (and spares – you’ll be in and out of the water a lot!)
• Shorts, t-shirts, tops
• Sweatpants/leggings and hoodies or fleece for cooler nights
• Dry clothes for meals (it’s indoor dining, no wet clothes indoors!)
• Pajamas or whatever makes you sleep like a baby
• No need to bring tons of socks or closed shoes – you’ll be barefoot most of the time onboard! Just pack one pair of comfy slip-on shoes for when the sun heats up the sundeck floor.
• Oh, and no need to bring towels – you’ll have fresh towels in your cabin, plus a dive deck towel waiting for you after the dive.
Sun Protection
• Hat, sunglasses
• Reef-safe sunscreen – we also provide it on board, free of charge!
Anti-Seasickness Musts
• Scopolamine patch or Dramamine (the crossing can be a little rocky – better safe than sorry!)
Toiletries
• Pack your essentials – shampoo, toothpaste, and maybe a leave-in conditioner if you’ve got long hair. On board, you’ll find complimentary Stream2Sea reef-safe Conditioning Shampoo and Bodywash, so you can stay fresh and ocean-friendly.
Entertainment
• Take a good book or Kindle with you
• Download podcasts or playlists
• We’ve got movies, board games, and ocean reads onboard too
Chargers & Plugs
• Make sure to pack all your chargers and cables.
Our vessels use standard North American outlets (110V), so if you’re coming from outside the US, bring a travel adapter. Better safe than stuck with a dead GoPro battery when the hammerheads show up.
• USB stick
We do a complimentary slideshow at the end of the trip, and it might come in handy if you want to swap photos and videos with the rest of the group.
Travel essentials for Socorro: passport, insurance & dive certification
• Passport
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date into Mexico. Depending on your nationality, a visa or additional documents might be required – best to double-check online before your trip.
• Dive Insurance
Dive insurance isn’t just a suggestion, it’s mandatory for all guests. You’ll need to show proof before boarding. Your policy must cover unlimited scuba diving, hyperbaric chamber treatment, dive-related medical care, and – this one’s crucial – emergency air evacuation. Most regular medical plans don’t include that last part, so be sure to double-check your coverage. We recommend DiveAssure – they’ve got great coverage and make the process easy. And if you need any help, we can assist you with purchasing this at check-in if you like.
• Travel Insurance
Highly recommended. Travel insurance can cover everything from cancelled flights and lost luggage to medical issues that interrupt your trip. We can’t offer refunds or credits for things beyond our control, so this is a smart way to protect your adventure.
• Dive Certification Card
You’ll need to show proof of your scuba certification before boarding. Make sure to pack your physical or digital card – no card, no diving! Don’t forget your Nitrox certification if you plan to dive with enriched air. Not Nitrox certified? If you’re interested in getting certified before your trip, let us know – we can make it happen at SeeCreatures in Cabo.
Packing for a dive trip should feel exciting – not overwhelming. And when you’re headed somewhere as unforgettable as Socorro it’s all about being ready to dive in and soak up every wild, wonderful moment.
Now that you know what to pack for scuba diving in Socorro, all that’s left is to count down the days and start dreaming of those manta-filled dives. Trust us – it’s going to be amazing!
Let the adventure begin!
