The marine life of the Socorro Islands is nothing short of extraordinary. Tucked away in the remote waters of the Revillagigedo National Park, the Socorro Islands remain untouched by human activity, and it shows. The ocean here is brimming with life, a true hotspot for marine biodiversity where new species are still being discovered.
Socorro’s waters are a playground for super-sized ocean dwellers and huge schools of fish. Every dive here can bring new surprises, from gentle giants like oceanic manta rays and whale sharks to pelagic predators like sharks and tuna. And don’t forget the cheeky dolphins!
Wings & Fins – soaring with mantas, swimming with sharks
Much of the marine life of the Socorro Islands is drawn to the archipelago’s nutrient-rich waters, which are filled with plankton – the main food source for many filter-feeding giants.
The giant Pacific manta rays here aren’t just massive; they are also especially friendly and curious. Although these rays are usually solitary creatures, they gather at cleaning and feeding stations around the islands. When scuba diving in Socorro, you can interact with the rays in a special way rarely found anywhere else in the world. They love soaring overhead through the bubbles, and it’s common for them to glide close to divers for eye-to-eye moments you’ll never forget.
Shark lovers, you’re also in for a treat. At least 12 different species of shark patrol these waters, many of which are regularly seen by scuba divers. These include Galapagos sharks, silkies, schooling hammerheads, silvertips, whitetip reef sharks and tiger sharks. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the largest fish in the ocean, the whale shark.
Whale sharks can be seen throughout the year around Socorro, although they are more common during certain months. We spot these mighty fish more frequently during May and June, and again in November and December.
“EPIC first day of diving at San Benedicto! Highlights included six species of sharks (including a tiger!) and mantas galore. The mantas came so close and played in our bubbles, allowing everyone to get amazing footage and interaction. Sometimes we didn’t know where to look… in one scene, you could see hammerheads, giant mantas, Galápagos and silvertip sharks, and a host of unique, brightly colored fish. Today exceeded our expectations – and it’s only day one!”
Anne & Marilou (Guests) – April 18, 2025
Flippin’ Fantastic: Dancing with Dolphins
Socorro is also home to a thriving population of bottlenose dolphins. These spectacular swimmers are not only incredibly intelligent but also highly social. We believe they’ve learned from the mantas how fun it can be to interact with divers! As a result, the dolphins here don’t just swim away when they see you. Instead, they often choose to stick around – circling, dancing, and playing like old friends. It’s a truly majestic experience, and we promise, they’ll steal your heart.
“Best dolphin experience of my life! I’ve been diving for over 30 years and have been to Socorro three times before – yes, it’s that great of a place to dive. This trip was filled with interactive mantas who were clearly very happy to see us… BUT – the dolphins stole the show… They swam among us in a playful mood and proceeded to ask everyone for belly rubs. I was literally hugging a dolphin! …TOTALLY worth the trip for just this dive – but the rest of the diving was fantastic too. Great divemasters, excellent chef, fun boat. I shall return!”
Gina (Guest) – November 9, 2024
Whale, hello there! Encounters with Humpback whales
A large population of up to 2,000 Humpback Whales visit the Revillagigedo Archipelago from December to April on their epic migration from Alaska to the Pacific Ocean. They visit the area to breed and calve and can often be spotted from the boat swimming alone or in pods.
Known for their playful, acrobatic nature you can even observe behaviour like breeching, spouting and tail slapping. If you’re lucky, you might even hear them sing while diving which adds a totally different dimension to your dive!
“What a time to be in Revillagigedo! We counted at least five different calves with their mothers around the various islands. Your dive soundtrack? The song of the whales. Imagine gracefully dancing with a giant manta to the mesmerizing music of a singing whale – it’s like a prom dance, only better!”
Yann (Crew) – February 22, 2025
Shell-ebrities of the reef – Socorro’s Turtles
When we say the marine life of the Socorro Islands is diverse, we mean it. Four species of turtle can be found in these remote volcanic waters: the olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and green turtle (Chelonia mydas).
Most commonly we encounter green turtles – you can spot them gliding elegantly through the blue or resting on coral-covered ledges where they feed on algae. Did you know green turtles are one of the largest species of sea turtle? Fully grown they can measure a whopping 5 feet in length and weigh over 400 pounds!
Hawksbill turtles may also make an appearance, look out for their beak-like face and intricate shell patterns which make them distinctive from other sea turtles.
Diving with turtles can bring a true sense of inner calm, a big contrast to the adrenaline-fuelled encounters the archipelago is more famous for.
“There’s a party in the ocean! I looked to one side, I saw fishes down the water, then, in a slightly look to another side, a huge turtle was surfing by itself. Suddenly, I saw 2 giant mantas swimming over my head and in just some seconds, 3 sharks were around us, while the dolphins came, as they were inviting us to dance. And finally, the party was complete … all in perfect harmony! I know it seems to be a dream, but it was all happening there, at the same time and I was part of it. Incredible! Amazing! And, when I thought I’ve seen everything … mother nature surprised me again, with a friendly giant black manta, coming next to me, looking at my eyes, as it was saying “welcome to my world!”
Cacá (Guest) – January 10, 2025
I swear, as a person who travel to many different places and lived so many different experiences, I’ve never felt so grateful to be in a place, as I am right here!”
So what can we say, other than be prepared for daily ocean encounters that leave you buzzing. Heart pounding, jaw dropping experiences that make your emotions soar. The marine life of the Socorro Islands never disappoints, and these dives will stay with you long after you touch land. On our liveaboard trips, we do around four dives a day, giving you plenty of chances to experience these incredible creatures for yourself.
