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Dive Review of Rocio Del Mar in
Mexico (Western)/Socorro Islands

Rocio Del Mar, May, 2012,

by Sandy Falen, KS, US (Sr. Contributor Sr. Contributor 29 reports with 20 Helpful votes). Report 6588.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments The Rocio Del Mar sailed from San Jose Del Cabo, heading to the remote Socorro Islands, a 250 mile journey (30+ hours). The remote islands of the Revillagigedos Archipelago promise pristine diving with abundant pelagics... and they delivered. For two days, we were treated to schools of white tips, Galapagos sharks, huge jacks, eels and lobsters by the dozens, and the balletic displays of giant Pacific mantas. Throw in the schooling Moorish Idols, squadrons of puffers and other tropicals, and you have the kind of diving for which a 250-mile boat ride seems more than worth it.

Unfortunately, at the end of the second dive day there, we received the crushing news that a severe tropical storm was on a direct path for our location. There was no option but to head back to the safety of the Sea of Cortez, where the diving conditions were highly unfavorable. For this report, my dive ratings will be limited to the conditions at the Socorro Islands.

The Rocio Del Mar is a comfortable boat with a terrific crew. The dive deck is smartly designed: your assigned dive station has room for all of your gear, and once a tank is mounted in your bc, it stays there for the duration of the trip. The efficient compressor setup allows for tanks to be refilled at each dive station -- including Nitrox. Once you suit up, you make your way down the steps to the dive platform, and either giant stride from there, or hop into a panga for a quick ride to the dive site.

The boat was designed with the galley and dining area below deck, which allows every guest cabin to be above deck with a full-size window. Cabins have plenty of storage, good water pressure and plenty of hot water, generous electrical outlets, a reading light above each bunk, and a ceiling fan.

The upper deck includes a comfy outdoor, shaded lounge area, and an air-conditioned TV lounge, with a small book library, a decent selection of movies, and a desk area which was handy for laptops. The lounge frig was always stocked with cold soda and beer.

Food was generous and tasty, and barbeque night on the top deck was a highlight. There were always snacks available, and water coolers stationed in two locations made it easy to stay hydrated.

On different occasions, we were treated to a stunning show of jumping mobula rays, pods of dolphins, and a flock of pelicans night fishing in the lights off the back of the boat.

Despite the shortened stay at the Socorro Islands, I enjoyed my trip and would absolutely sail on the Rocio Del Mar again. The crew did everything they could to give us the best trip possible under unfortunate circumstances.



Websites Rocio Del Mar   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving All over the Caribbean, Fiji, Tonga, Palau, Kosrae, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas choppy, currents
Water Temp 72-73°F / 22-23°C Wetsuit Thickness 4
Water Visibility 80-100 Ft/ 24-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Dive time was generally no more than one hour.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters N/A Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Plenty of room on the dedicated camera table, and a large rinse bucket on the dive platform.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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