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December 2019

December 2019

Big Animals at

SocorroMexico's Revillagigedo Text and photos by Matthew Meier

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Go, go, go! At our skiff driver’s This was definitely one urging, we slipped into the of the more exhilarating surface intervals I have water as quickly and quietly as ever experienced and an possible, in hopes of snorkeling incredible bonus animal with the pod of false killer sighting on top of all of the whales that was hunting in manta rays, , dolphins and huge schools of fish we the bay. Again and again, had already encountered we attempted to intersect while diving. Welcome to their path, but our timing or big-animal paradise! positioning resulted in views of The Revillagigedo Archipelago comprises four them in the fleeting distance or volcanic islands named not at all. Finally, I was fortunate San Benedicto, Clarion, to have a member of the pod and Socorro, which are islands’ isolated nature. Clarion is the situated southwest of , most remote and as such is rarely visited, swim past just close enough to , in the . The located 125 miles (200km) past the next capture a few photos with my latter also lends its namesake to the farthest of Roca Partida. San fisheye lens. At the end of our more commonly referred-to Socorro Benedicto and Socorro Islands are close exhausting excursion, everyone Islands, for those of us who struggle to to one another and located roughly 240 pronounce “Revillagigedo.” With the miles (386km) from Cabo San Lucas. on the dive boat had seen the exception of a Mexican Navy installation The area is famous with scuba divers false killer whales and a few on Socorro, which houses roughly 250 for the giant oceanic manta rays and lucky guests had the privilege military personnel and their families, the other large pelagics that frequent of swimming alongside a islands are uninhabited. the waters. The A liveaboard dive boat is the only were pronounced a UNESCO World Diver with chevron , swimming overhead, accompanied by remora (above); Solitary mother and her newborn. way to see this vast frontier due to the Heritage Site in July 2016, and the false killer whale swimming near the surface (top left); searching for fish (left); A mother helps bring her calf to the surface for a breath of air (previous page)

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Panoramic aerial view of and the cinder cone created in the 1952 volcanic eruption

Mexican government created North enjoy diver’s exhaust bubbles on San Benedicto Island America’s largest marine protected their bellies and will hover in the San Benedicto Island is closest in area and also declared it a national water column over each diver in proximity to Cabo San Lucas and is park in 2017. The 57,000 sq mi turn, giving guests the privilege of typically the first anchorage after an (150,000 sq km) of protected area experiencing a “manta sombrero.” overnight crossing. We arrived in time bans fishing, mining and for a late afternoon checkout dive development within and on the islands themselves. Manta rays Giant oceanic manta rays have a wingspan of up to 23ft (7m), and those around the Socorro Islands are some of the largest I have ever seen. They exhibit two different color variations; the black manta is nearly all black on both sides and the chevron manta has a patterned mix of black, white and gray on top and T H E M Y T H mostly white underneath. I S R E A L Each individual has distinct spots on their underside and like a

human’s fingerprints, the markings V O R T E X L I V E A B O A R D . C O M

Black manta ray swimming overhead at can be used for identification. [email protected] Boiler (above); A "manta sombrero" selfie Regardless of their coloration, the attempt, with a chevron manta ray over- mantas around Socorro seem to head—my very first selfie underwater (right)

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Silvertip (above) and (right) swim over the rocky reef at El Canon dive site; Solitary blackjack fish (bottom right)

at Las Cuevas to knock off the rust and underwater perform buoyancy and gear checks. topography consisted Situated in a protected cove on of a horseshoe- the leeward side of the island, the site shaped, downward made for an easy first dive, swimming sloping rock structure, amongst large boulders and caverns as separated by a sand we searched for lobsters, white-tipped flat. Sitting at 90ft, the reef sharks, baby porcupine fish and main attraction is a stingrays buried in the sand. We saw cleaning station above a rocky pinnacle chasing jacks in the dim early several Socorro chub swimming amongst near the drop-off to deep water. Here, morning light of our first dive. the rocks, most of which are a lackluster you can duck behind the rocks and It was here that I also saw my gray in color, but the remaining ten to observe Galapagos and silvertip sharks first black manta ray. 15 percent of the population scream for swimming circular patterns around the I have swum with chevron attention with a vibrant yellow. formation while you wait for manta rays and reef manta rays on various to arrive. dives across the globe but had El Canon. The next morning, we dove at We had at least one manta show never been graced by the El Canon, located near the anchorage up on every dive and were treated presence of a black manta ray. on the backside of the island. The to hunting Pacific bottlenose dolphins This beautiful creature snuck Socorro chub, yellow variation

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Aerial view of the cinder cone and flow into the Pacific Ocean, from the 1952 volcanic eruption on San Benedicto Island (above); Octopus tucked into a rocky crevice (top left); Blue spiny lobster walk- ing across the rocky reef (left); Black manta ray swimming over the rocky reef at Boiler (below); Sunset silhouette of Sleeping Lady rock formation at the southern end of San Benedicto Island (right)

left shoulder. The camera came Volcanic origins up out of reflex, and I did my best The distinct cinder cone shape of to stay close. But keeping up with San Benedicto Island was created a manta ray without the aid of from a supposedly dormant external propulsion is pure fantasy that last erupted in and it easily disappeared into the 1952. On the eastern side of the distance. Happily, we were able cinder cone, a massive lava flow to see several more black manta exploded out of its base, creating rays over the course of our trip, and new land as it spread out into the I had numerous opportunities to ocean. The black lava rock stands improve on my first photo attempts. out in sharp contrast to the ash- Returning to the boat after colored cone and is an impressive each dive, we witnessed several sight. However, to reveal the truly silky sharks near the surface remarkable scope of the lava and discovered hundreds of fish flow, the elevated perspective hiding below, using the overhead of a drone is required. I captured which is formed by the outline of world-famous Boiler dive site on structure as a refuge. There several multi-stitch panoramic shots the island. She was pointed out to the other side of San Benedicto. were several schools of jacks of of the island and was as excited me while in silhouette at sunset, This enormous underwater rock differing species, all staying in about those aerial photos as I and since then, I have been pinnacle reaches nearly to the close-knit groups for protection was with any of the spectacular unable to gaze at the scene surface depending on the tides against the silky sharks, who were underwater wildlife shots. without seeing a lady in repose. and drops off sharply into the inky up on us as we were working our I was seemingly alone with my keen for a meal but equally At the southern end of the darkness below. way down the rocky reef to the thoughts, and the next, I had a curious to inspect the divers in anchorage is a rock structure Boiler. On our second full day Large schools of fish use the cleaning station. One minute, massive shadow gliding off my their midst as well. known as the Sleeping Lady, of diving, we transferred to the rock as a safe haven against

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Your Buddies Wish you Happy Holidays! We look forward to welcome you to a festive 2020!

International Reservations: +599 717 5080 Call Toll Free US/Canada: 1-866-GO-BUDDY WWW.BUDDYDIVE.COM/SPECIALS

Polarized school of blackjack fish with silky sharks (above); Yellowfin surgeonfish (left)

trevally, razor here can be very friendly, often stalling surgeonfish and in front of a diver as if asking for a belly Pacific creolefish. rub. Several dolphins swam by on our White-tipped reef first dive but kept their distance since sharks rest on rock they were escorting a new baby. ledges during the Whale sharks have been known day, conserving to materialize out of the blue, and energy to pack in the springtime, humpback whales hunt at night, frequent the area, though it is rare often with huge to actually see them in the water blue spiny lobster here. More often, you can hear and standing guard sometimes feel their calls resonate nearby. through the water, as they stay just far The real stars enough away to tempt you to chase predators and are often found at the however are the large pelagic critters their vocalizations into the void. northern or southern ends depending that can show up at any time. Manta I did just that on my first trip to on the current. We saw aggregations rays are a near constant inhabitant, Socorro, spending an entire dive of bigeye jacks, blackjacks, bluefin and the Pacific bottlenose dolphins swimming into the blue, chasing the Polarized school of bigeye jacks (above); (top center)

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The Socorro Vortex liveaboard at anchor in the Pacific Ocean; Pair of Pacific bottlenose dolphins; Black manta ray; The Clarion Deluxe Suite bathroom, the Roca Master Suite and the lounge on the Socorro Vortex liveaboard; artwork, abundant storage and Adult humpback whale exhales on the surface. either two twin beds or a king-size bed. The unique tile design and sound of the singing whales but never The color scheme of each bathroom saw a thing. This is also where we spent liveaboard is also an elegant and fun touch. one of our surface intervals in search The latest At 140ft (43m) in length and with of the false killer whales. The pod was liveaboard to operate in the seven spacious staterooms, extensive a top speed of 18 to 20 knots, she is hunting around the island for several Revillagigedo Islands is the luxurious lounge areas, expansive camera tables capable of making the transits between weeks, and we had interactions with new Socorro Vortex. She is a former and a hot tub on the top sun deck. islands faster than any other liveaboard them on two separate days. Canadian Coast Guard vessel that Each guest room has an en suite in action. The Vortex is an exclusive treat has been completely redesigned with bath, individual air conditioning, unique for her max of only 14 guests.

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Aerial view of , the Socorro Vortex liveaboard dive boat and the Cabo Pearce dive site (above); Three birds resting on a rocky ledge at the Cabo Pearce dive site (left)

called a panga, was filled and analyzed by the crew, width near its base at the water’s edge. before back-rolling before being confirmed by each Dozens of brown booby birds into the water. diver prior to a dive. roost on the small ledges along the A normal day volcanic walls, providing sanctuary consists of three to Socorro Island from potential predators and easy four dives, depending Every trip to the Revillagigedo Islands access to the prolific feeding grounds on location, each of requires a stop at Socorro Island, a in the waters below. Cemented on a which is limited by short 30-mile (48km) passage from San rock ledge, around 40ft underwater, is Mexican regulations Benedicto, to register with the Mexican a plaque commemorating the area’s to 45 minutes in Navy and verify passports. This is UNESCO World Heritage Site status: length. Night dives typically done in the late afternoon—in “inscribed for its outstanding universal Diving are not permitted. Dive guides are our case, following three dives at the value which deserve protection for Diving at the Socorro Islands is responsible for three to five divers Cabo Pearce dive site. the benefit of all humanity.” A large meant for advanced divers with each, and everyone is required to Located at the end of a long lava green sea turtle nearly guided us to reliable buoyancy control, who are carry a surface marker, whistle and flow peninsula extending out into the plaque on our first dive before comfortable in blue water and an GPS positioning device in case they the ocean, the area comprises large continuing on its path as we stopped often bottomless environment. When get lost from the group and drift out boulders, valleys and channels—as to take photos. sea conditions allow, divers may to sea. For an added level of safety, one might expect from boiling lava From there, we moved across the make a giant stride directly down to the Socorro Vortex is a nitrox-only exploding into the cool water. The rocky terrain to a submerged buoy Underwater concrete UNESCO World Heritage Site plaque, the dive site, but more frequently they boat, and we dived with a mixture peninsula climbs several stories above that marked a cleaning station Cabo Pearce dive site, Socorro Island (above); Diver swims are transported from their anchored of 30 to 32 percent, depending on the water’s surface, with sheer walls for mantas and other pelagic in open water with a large school of dark-colored cotton- liveaboard by an inflatable RHIB the depth of the dive site. Every tank and a small cave spanning the entire visitors. Dozens of yellow barberfish mouth jacks (top right)

28 X-RAY MAG : 95 : 2020 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Polarized school of silver-colored cot- tonmouth jacks (left); A loggerhead turtle Socorro travel takes a breath of air at the surface during mating at Socorro Island (below)

Aerial view of the sun setting in between the rock pinnacles at Roca Partida (above); Hammerhead shark in open water (left)

shaped seamount, whose name literally translates to “split rock,” rises 100ft (30m) above sea level and measures only 300ft (90m) long by 26ft (8m) wide. It is the lone sliver of land for nearly a hundred miles in any direction. As such, it attracts a spectacular variety of life. Massive schools of cottonmouth jacks, bigeye jacks, blackjacks, striped bonito, and Pacific congregated around the rocky in the harbor of the navy base creolefish were present on nearly outcropping, waiting for an easy awaiting our inspection, we were every dive. As were the Galapagos, meal. After lingering unsuccessfully to treated to mating loggerhead turtles silky and occasional scalloped see the cleaners in action, we drifted at the water’s surface. The action hammerhead sharks, which were with the current into blue water went on for well over an hour before pursuing the fish around the rock. and found a large school of striped abruptly ending near sunset with We saw a few manta rays as well, bonito being chased by silky and a loud splash, as the turtles dived but nothing compared to the numbers silvertip sharks, along with several underwater, not to be seen again. we encountered at San Benedicto. small yellowfin tuna. A few dozen Whitetipped reef sharks lay on top of scalloped hammerhead sharks were Roca Partida one another, consistently stacked onto also gathering in the hazy distance, Departing the navy base, we ledges 40-50ft (12-15m) down, along but attempts to capture images in motored for roughly 7.5 hours with the biggest blue spiny lobsters the murky visibility were futile. overnight to Roca Partida. This I had ever faced. Immense wahoo After our dives, while anchored north-south-oriented, field-goal- circled during safety stops, along with Large school of dark-colored cottonmouth jacks swimming along the vertical rock wall at Roca Partida

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Three small juvenile whitetip reef sharks resting on a colorful rock ledge during the day, saving energy to pack hunt at night Several silky sharks swimming among a large, polarized school of (above); flings sand while striped bonito (above); Bluefin trevally (right) raising up to swim away (left)

sharks. In the were blessed with relatively calm seas southern ends of the rock, depending springtime, during our visit and anchored overnight, on the current. Dropping in on either typically during affording us two full days of diving. the eastern or western side, divers the months of On our second morning, we awoke can choose to fight the current and February and to find another boat nearby. Our crew stay with the schools of fish or ride March, a mother communicated with them over the radio the current to explore the rest of humpback whale to establish staggered dive times, so we the pinnacle. These decisions are and her calf have were not all in the water at the same typically made as a group before been seen here time. As the first boat on location, the splashing down but can, and often in years past. protocol stated that they had to dive are, modified by the divemaster after The divemasters around our schedule. assessing conditions underwater. speculate that This meant that our dive times At the end of each dive, the group refuel, reload memory cards and change the mother remained the same as the previous day, swims away from the rock for extraction batteries before the next dive. The salon may have been and their divers jumped in the water as and on occasion floats with the current offered several comfortable couches introduced to we were finishing our safety stop. This out into the blue during the safety stop, and a large screen TV for those wanting the curious silky sharks, which seemed keen divers at Roca with her mother and is was easy to accomplish with just two before being picked up by the skiff. creature comforts, and the entire top to sneak up on divers from behind. comfortable bringing her offspring back boats in full cooperation and only three Divers can travel great distances during deck was filled with lounge chairs for sun Though we were not lucky enough to to this location. dives per day, but it is considerably more those few minutes and a surface marker worshippers. I took the opportunity to see them on our trip, tiger sharks have Due to the potential for deep dives challenging on a site allowing four dives is imperative to designate their location make a twilight flight with my drone the made appearances here, as have and the extreme remoteness of Roca and the potential for additional boats. for the skiff drivers. first night and captured the sun setting whale sharks, orca, large bait balls and Partida, the Mexican government limits The large schools of fish tend to Back on the liveaboard between dives, between the spires of the rocky pinnacle. schools of Galapagos and hammerhead operators to three dives per day. We congregate at either the northern or there was ample time to relax, rehydrate,

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Diver with school of Pacific creolefish and the large rock formation at Boiler dive site (above)

scalloped hammerhead shark came in made sure that did not happen, as it was close for an inspection but was still too on us as soon as we entered the water far away for my fisheye lens. for dive number four. We briefly saw a couple of manta rays I barely had time to extend my strobes, on the third dive, but it was otherwise as I clambered to get in position to uneventful, and there was a feeling that photograph the manta as it swam over we might end the trip on a low note. An my head within seconds of hitting the incredibly playful chevron manta ray water. Once everyone was able to get Several silky sharks swimming through a school of blackjack fish (above); Silhouette of the Arch of Cabo San Lucas against a sunset sky—these rocks at the southern-most end of the Baja Peninsula separate the Sea of Cortez from the Pacific Ocean (right).

San Benedicto Frantically grabbing snorkel gear and small school of scalloped hammerhead After two mesmerizing days at Roca cameras, we jumped into the inflatables sharks off in the distance. Puffy white Partida, we picked up anchor and and sped to the scene. Unfortunately, we clouds materialized in the afternoon steamed overnight back to San arrived too late to catch the whales in sky, and I took advantage of the nice Benedicto for our last two days of diving. action but were able to observe dozens backdrop to capture a few more aerial We awoke at El Canon alongside our of silky sharks cleaning up the scraps, as shots of the cinder cone and lava flow. sister ship the Solmar V and proceeded well as several dolphins in search of an to alternate dive times with them easy meal. Boiler. For our final day of diving, we throughout the day. Climbing back into the skiff, we stayed moved back to the Boiler and were out for another hour shadowing the treated to a plethora of manta ray El Canon. The early morning visibility at whales around the bay, while making interactions. A large black manta swam depth on our first dive was a bit hazy several attempts to engage them in amongst us for a large portion of the first compared to our previous stopover, and the water. Exhausted but grateful for dive, and I was thrilled to capture photos we elected to spend the majority of the the interactions, we eventually headed of my dive buddy swimming alongside, dive under the liveaboard, swimming back to the boat to get ready for our with the Boiler in the background. amongst the jacks and silky sharks. next dive. During our safety stop, six to eight During breakfast after the first dive, we The remainder of the day was bottlenose dolphins swam past, noticed birds gathering over the water somewhat tame by comparison, though including what appeared to be the nearby and realized that the false killer we did see several Galapagos and silky same youngster we saw days earlier. whales were hunting again and had sharks at the cleaning station, with both Two chevron manta rays stayed with us driven a school of fish to the surface. chevron and black manta rays and a for most of the second dive, and a lone

31 X-RAY MAG : 95 : 2020 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Several scuba divers swimming Chevron manta ray, with two chevron manta rays in with remora, swim- front of the massive rock forma- ming overhead travel tion at the Boiler dive site Socorro

the islands. species vary with the Sitting on the upper deck at season, and there are sunrise, I watched a trio of Nazca often multiple possibilities booby birds fishing in the shadow on any given day. I was of the boat, targeting the fish fortunate to swim with a below by exploiting the lack of mother humpback whale glare on the water’s surface to and her calf during a visit hunt for their morning meal. It was to Cabo in February. an impressive display of ingenuity, The first time I jumped technique and skillful flying. into the water, the whales passed between Cabo San Lucas myself and the other If you have the opportunity to snorkelers, as the mother extend your trip a few days on brought the baby up either side of your journey to the to the surface for a Socorro Islands, there are many breath of air. It was a other big-animal encounters spectacular moment available in the waters off Cabo that I will not soon forget San Lucas. Pelagic Safaris, a and well worth the hours member of the Pelagic Fleet, on the water to allow the offers full- and half-day snorkeling whales time to accept trips in pursuit of marlin, orcas, and get comfortable schooling mobula rays, turtles, with our presence. and the Arch of Cabo San Lucas I will continue to dream about sharks, dolphins and whales. The Be sure to stop at Land’s End on your way back into the harbor swimming with the humpback to witness the last whales at Roca Partida and look bit of dry land at the forward to my next chance to southernmost end of connect with the manta rays. the Baja Peninsula. One day, I hope you get to These massive rocks experience your own manta separate the Sea sombrero and potentially join me of Cortez from the on a future adventure.  Pacific Ocean and the confluence of The author would like to thank those two bodies of the Pelagic Fleet (pelagicfleet. water create some com) and the crew of the Socorro challenging currents Vortex (vortexliveaboard.com) settled, we dispersed in the water simply bid to us farewell. It was a beneath the surface. for hosting this expedition. Thanks column and spent the next 45 beautiful experience and a fitting also go to Scubapro (scubapro. minutes savoring the manta ray end to our amazing big-animal Afterthoughts com) and Blue Abyss Photo as it danced from diver to diver, adventure. The big-animal diving (blueabyssphoto.com) for their enjoying our bubbles. I even After dinner, we pulled up at the Revillagigedo assistance with underwater dive attempted my first underwater anchor and started our trek for Islands definitely and photo gear. selfie while sporting a manta home. Sea conditions were a ranks near the top sombrero. bit rough on either end of the of my list of favorite Matthew Meier is a professional The ray stayed with us journey but calmed down slightly places. There are underwater photographer and throughout our safety stop and overnight, and we made good few spots on earth travel writer based in San Diego, even came to the surface after time, arriving late in the afternoon with the possibility California. To see more of his work we finally had to get out of the back in Cabo, several hours faster for so many diverse and to order photo prints, please water, as if to say “don’t go” or than any of my previous transits to pelagic interactions. visit: matthewmeierphoto.com. Aerial view of Lands End and the Arch of Cabo San Lucas in early morning sunlight

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diving. Natu- Though a tip of 10 to 15 percent of ral hazards: the value of your trip is generally fact file hurricanes, recommended. Socorro, Mexico volcanic activity. Voltage The voltage on the So- corro Vortex dive boat is 110, and Location of Socorro Island on global map (right); Econo- the outlets have a universal prong Location of Socorro my Tour- configuration. There are also a Island on map of Mexico ism dol- few 220 outlets available. The rest (below); Chevron manta lars from of Mexico has 110 outlets with a

SOURCES: US CIA WORLD FACTBOOK, US CDC. ray at Boiler dive site scuba US prong configuration. GOV, STATE.TRAVEL.US, VORTEXLIVEABOARD.COM, (bottom left) diving ac- WIKIPEDIA.ORG, XE.COM counts for Travel/Visa A valid passport History The islands of Socorro and Grayson discovered the Ensenada the major- with an expiration date of at least San Benedicto were first discovered , mockingbird U.S.A. ity of income six months past your departure by Spanish explorers in December and on an expedi- Hermosillo generated at date is required to enter Mexico. of 1533 and given the names Santo tion in 1865 and these spe- the islands. Tomas and Isla do los Inocentes re- cies were eventually given Chihuahua Check with your doctor Nuevo Health spectively. Roca Partida was given scientific names in his honor. Laredo Population Socorro and health department for up- Topolobampo Gulf of its present-day name when it was Dr Matamoros Mexico Island has a population of about dates on required vaccinations or first sighted in 1542 by a different conducted the most com- Torreón Monterrey 250 people, comprising mostly health warnings. In Mexico, there Culiacán CUBA Spanish explorer named Villalobos. prehensive scientific explo- La Paz Mexican Navy personnel and their is an intermediate degree of risk Mazatlán San Luis Jose Camacho was credited with ration of the islands at the Potosi Altamira families. Roca Partida and San for food or waterborne diseases Aguascalientes Tampico the discovery of the final island in beginning of 20th century NORTH León Cancún Benedicto Islands are uninhabited. such as bacterial diarrhea, hepa- PACIFIC the archipelago, Clarion, in 1779. and the volcano on Socorro Puerto Vallarta Querétaro titis and typhoid; and vectorborne OCEAN Guadalajara President Benito Juarez awarded Island was later renamed in Currency The Mexican Pesos diseases such as dengue fever Veracruz Sea control of the four-island territory his honor. Mexico’s President Manzanillo Toluca (MXN) is the official currency in (2016) and malaria in some parts to the Mexican state of in Enrique Pena Nieto created Oaxaca BELIZE Mexico, but US dollars are widely of the country. Active local trans- 1861, with plans to construct an ’s largest Acapulco accepted. Credit cards are also mission of Zika virus by Aedes spe- Salina GUAT. HOND. offshore penitentiary on Socorro marine protected area and NIC. accepted onboard with the cies mosquitoes has been found in

US CIA WORLD FACTBOOK / PUBLIC DOMAIN / PUBLIC WORLD FACTBOOK US CIA Cruz Island that never materialized. The national park around the exception of the crew tip, which Mexico (2016). Mexican Navy did establish a base Revillagigedo Islands on 24 No- (150,000 sq km) of protected area and San Benedicto islands have is cash only. Exchanges rates: on Socorro Island in 1957 and main- vember 2017. This safeguard bans and on the islands themselves. The visible cinder cones rising to heights 1USD=19.11MXN, 1EUR=21.35MXN, Security Check with your state tains a permanent outpost to this fishing, mining and tourism devel- Revillagigedo Archipelago was also of approximately 3,700 and 1,000ft 1GBP=24.72MXN, 1AUD=13.20MXN, department for travel advisories day. Ornithologist Andrew Jackson opment within the 57,000 sq mi declared a UNESCO World Heritage respectively. Roca Partida, which 1SGD=14.08MXN. and updates. Increased cau- Site in July 2016.. Government: fed- translates to “split rock,” is a field- tion in Mexico is advised due to eral presidential republic . Capital: goal-shaped seamount whose vis- Language The official lan- violent crime and kidnapping in Mexico City. ible structure rises only 100ft above guage of Mexico is Spanish, certain areas. sea level and measures approxi- though nearly everyone working Geography The Revillagigedo mately 300ft long by 26ft wide. on the dive boats speaks English. Phone/Internet The Socorro (Socorro) Islands consists of four Vortex has complimentary boat- separate volcanic islands, with San Climate Ocean temperatures at Cuisine The food on board is wide satellite Wifi that is capable Benedicto Island being the closest the Socorro Islands usually range a mixture of traditional Mexican of retrieving email and text mes- to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, rough- from 78-82°F in November, 70-74°F fare and American cuisine, which sages. There is no cell service ly 240 miles to the southwest into in February and March, and then can be tailored to meet any onboard, though the boat does the Pacific Ocean. Socorro Island 76–80°F from April to June. A 5mm dietary constraints. The meals are have a satellite phone in case of is the largest of the four islands and or 7mm wetsuit is recommended frequent, delicious and the por- emergencies. is located another 30 miles south of depending on the season, as is a tions plentiful. San Benedicto, while Roca Partida hooded vest. Air temperatures are Hyperbaric Chamber is another 70 to 80 miles farther typically in the 70s and 80s during Tipping Tipping is expected The nearest chamber to the So- west. is 125 miles west the day with cooler evenings. A on liveaboard dive boats, and corro Islands is in Cabo San Lucas, from Roca Partida and rarely visited jacket or sweater and long pants each establishment will have their Mexico.  due to its remote location. Socorro are suggested to keep warm after own guidelines and suggestions.

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