Holiday in Socorro (Revillagigedo)

What makes Socorro (Revillagigedo) special as a destination?

The Revillagigedo Islands (officially Archipiélago de Revillagigedo), often simply called 'Socorro', are Mexico's most remote natural wonder and one of the best diving areas in the world. This volcanic archipelago in the Pacific, 400 kilometers southwest of Baja California, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is often referred to as 'the Mexican Galápagos'. Diving at Socorro is not for beginners, but for experienced divers, it is a dream come true. The underwater world is of such intensity that even well-traveled divers are left speechless. Huge oceanic manta rays with wingspans of up to seven meters swim curiously towards divers, allowing for close observation — an encounter considered one of the most moving in the underwater world. Schools of hammerhead sharks numbering in the hundreds, whale sharks, dolphins, humpback whales (from December to April), and various species of sharks — from silky sharks to Galapagos sharks to tiger sharks — make every dive a spectacle of large fish. The currents can be strong, and the dives are demanding, but the reward is unparalleled. The islands themselves are uninhabited (except for a small marine base on Socorro). There are no hotels, no restaurants, no infrastructure. The only access is via liveaboard dive boats that cross from Cabo San Lucas in 24-32 hours. A typical safari lasts 8-10 days and includes daily diving at changing spots. The volcanic underwater topography is dramatic: steep drop-offs, huge rock pinnacles, current channels, and cleaning stations where mantas and sharks are serviced by cleaner fish. Visibility often reaches 30 meters or more. In 2017, the entire archipelago was declared the largest marine protected area in North America. The complete fishing ban has allowed the already rich wildlife to flourish even further, making Socorro one of the most important ocean conservation areas in the world.