Underwater Photographer Caroline takes us on a bucket list diving adventure to Socorro and the Revillagigedo Islands
Revillagigedo, often simply called Socorro after the most famous of the four islands in this archipelago, is a remote diving destination some 400 miles off the Mexican coastline. These volcanic rocks, rising out of the Pacific Ocean are magnets to some of the most iconic pelagic species. Making it a dive destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
I joined a Diverse Travel group with the intention of filming and photographing the sharks and rays that this destination is famous for. We set sail on the Rocio del Mar liveaboard on the 24+ hour crossing in high spirits. Excited for the encounters that lay ahead. It seemed a good omen to have a huge pod of dolphins play off the bow of the boat as the sun set on our first day.
We woke to our first glimpse of the islands. San Benidicto grew ever closer and as we set anchor, the telltale puff of mist from a humpback whale rose from the surface. Surely the perfect start to any trip. It is not often, especially on a trip like this one, that one of the first things I tell people about on my return is the noise on the dives. But I have never experienced whale song like this. Every dive we did had their beautiful soundtrack in surround sound. Two divers were even lucky enough to see a whale on their safety stop. And everyone was treated to their above water displays – with tails raised aloft and even the odd breaching.
Underwater things exceeded all my expectations. The islands are probably most famous for their Oceanic Manta encounters. We saw multiple mantas on each and every dive. Many seeking out the divers and hovering above to feel our bubbles. Roca Partida, a twin-peaked rock covered in bird poo, gave us a dolphin dive like no other. Initially each group of divers was joined by one of two from the pod. But once they seemed happy that we were a good bunch, soon the whole pod joined in the fun, including small babies. The buzz on the boat after this dive was nearly as special as the encounter itself!
In the back of my mind was always how I could best capture the sharks and rays for a new 360 film I was filming for the Shark Trust. The Canyon, off San Benedicto, gave me an epic opportunity to film six species of shark in a single take. Resting the camera on the seabed and moving away from the cleaning station it was positioned near, enabled me to film Galapagos, Silky, Silvertip, Whitetip, Scalloped Hammerhead and Tiger Sharks swimming past the lens.
My favourite dive site? The Boiler. There is something about this dramatic volcanic wall that draws in so much life that makes it stand out from the crowd. We nearly didn’t get to dive it, as the swell and waves can be challenging here. But the crew worked hard to return to this site at the end of the trip and to get us in for an amazing dive. So many Oceanic Mantas. Some with a wingspan of over 5m! Bright orange Clarion Angelfish performing their cleaning duties as the mantas hover motionless in the current. All to the soulful tunes of the humpback whales in the distance.
We did some of the best diving I have ever done on this trip. But it was a lot more special than that too, as I made a literal boat-load of new friends! All bonding through the incredible experiences we shared under the waves. Diving the awe-inspiring Revillagigedo Archipelago is an absolute bucket list liveaboard adventure that I urge you to consider.
Interested in a Socorro diving adventure with Diverse Travel?
Join the Dive Travel Experts in March 2027 for an exclusive Diverse Travel hosted private charter to the Revillagigedo Islands. This is the diving of dreams… schooling Hammerhead Sharks, Tiger Sharks, friendly Bottlenose Dolphins, Silky Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Oceanic Whitetip Sharks, Whale Sharks, majestic Humpback Whales, and, of course, Manta Rays.
Our Socorro trips get booked up far in advance and we are running two back-to-back trips in 2027 to meet demand. With one trip completely sold out already, there are strictly limited places available.
Get in touch with us here or give us a call on 01473 852002 to find out more. Don’t miss out on the adventure of a lifetime!
Words and photos by Caroline Robertson-Brown – Frogfish Photography
