Socorro Manta And Shark Madness Photo Workshop 2028
Socorro Islands Photo Workshop on the Quino del Mar in Feb 2028 for manta rays, sharks & humpback whales
Shark Encounters
Pelagic Encounters
Manta Ray Encounters
Free Photo Workshops
Why Join This Trip
Intense focus on repeated encounters with friendly giant manta rays, hammerhead, silvertip & Galapagos sharks, and dolphins
Prime season for breaching humpback whales
A short 2 hour flight to Cabo from the southwest United States
On one of top liveaboards, the Quino Del Mar
Includes FREE photo workshop from your trip leader
25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure
Trip overview
Trip Overview
The trip starts and ends in San Jose del Cabo, then goes on to the Revillagigedo Archipelago which includes Socorro Island, Roca Partida, and San Benedicto Island. The Quino del Mar is owned by one of the top operators cruising to Socorro. Dive to your heart's content as many as four times a day and get to interact with large pelagics up close and personal.
Tim Johnson shares his underwater footage from Bluewater Travel's Socorro 2023 Underwater Photo Workshop
Sample Itinerary
Here's a sample day-by-day itinerary of this trip (subject to change):
- Day 1- (Feb 16) - The Quino Del Mar will be ready for boarding at 5:00 pm, dinner is served at 7:00 pm, and will depart that evening.
- Day 2 - Quino Del Mar arrives in San Benedicto.
- Day 3 - San Benedicto, 4 dives scheduled.
- Day 4 - Roca Partida, 3 dives scheduled.
- Day 5 - Roca Partida, 3 dives scheduled.
- Day 6 - Socorro Island, 4 dives scheduled (check-in with naval station)
- Day 7 - Socorro Island, 4 dives scheduled
- Day 8 - San Benedicto, 4 dives scheduled. At the end of this day, we will start our departure to San Jose del Cabo.
- Day 9 - Arrive at San Jose del Cabo. Guests may sleep on the boat.
- Day 10 - (Feb 28) Disembark after breakfast by 8:30 am.
Dive Overview
The Revillagigedo Islands are where you will have an experience of a lifetime with large ocean pelagic animals including a wide variety of sharks (hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks), dolphins, tuna, barracudas, clouds of jacks, and of course, the friendliest mantas in the world. This is also humpback whale season, and if lucky, you may see a humpback whale swim by underwater.
Diving Conditions In February
Water temperature will be around 25-27°C (77-79°F).
To learn more about what you can expect from this Socorro trip check out our 2024 trip report. You can also read the reviews on diving Socorro here.
Recommended Scuba Gear
- 5mm wetsuit. Browse Wetsuits at Bluewater Photo
- Strong fins. Check out the Apeks RK3 Dive Fins.
- SMB. The Mares Dive Marker Buoy is our choice!
- Travel BCD. Read our Best Travel BCD Article
- Travel regulator. We suggest Mares Ultra 62X Dive Regulator
Trip Inclusions
FREE daily photo workshops
Your accommodation and housekeeping
All meals, snacks, and beverages, including breakfast on the day of disembarkation
Local beer and wine
4 guided dives per day (conditions permitting)
Tanks, air and weights
16% Mexican tax
Port fees
Trip Exclusions
Marine Park Fee (approx. $1,000 per person, Socorro Marine Park Authority adjusts park fees annually and the final amount will be confirmed closer to departure)
Nitrox: $120 for the week
Equipment rental
Transfers to and from the boat
Gratuity
Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan
Accommodation
About The Quino Del Mar
Launching in July 2025, the Quino del Mar is one owned by one of the top dive operators specializing in trips to the Sea of Cortez and Socorro Islands in Mexico. This 89-foot liveaboard yacht offers 10 cabins for up to 20 divers.
Quino del Mar's Key Features
What excites us about the Quino del Mar liveaboard is the promise of knowledgeable and friendly dive staff, exceptional stability for navigating the often-rough waters to the Socorro Islands, mouthwatering Mexican cuisine, and ample space designed for underwater photographers to set up their gear. This liveaboard is shaping up to be a dream for avid divers and underwater photographers eager to explore Socorro and the Sea of Cortez!
Trip Price
Trip starts from $4,295 per person.
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $1,295 to book your spot
- Payment 2: $1,000 due 1 February 2027
- Payment 3: $1,000 due 1 August 2027
- Balance: due 1 November 2027
Extend your trip
Socorro Manta And Shark Madness Photo Workshop 2028 Trip Extension
Want to extend your trip? We can help with that! See more of Mexico before or after your trip with Bluewater in Socorro. Flying all that way merits a multi-destination vacation! Cabo Pulmo and Los Cabos are an amazing destinations nearby that offer a range of additional unique experiences. Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your trip reservation:

Check availability
and start planning your perfect trip
Discover similar group trips

Manta rays
Socorro Warm Water Pelagic Trip 2026
Socorro Islands
Travel: Nov 16, 2026 - Nov 24, 2026
Led by: Tim Yeo
from$3,618
Learn more
Manta rays
Socorro Manta & Shark Madness Liveaboard Trip 2027
Socorro Islands
Travel: Feb 15, 2027 - Feb 24, 2027
Led by: Nirupam Nigam
from$4,295
Learn moreRelated articles and trip reports

Trip Report
ChrisH
Liveaboard Dive Packing List (2025 Edition)
Indonesia
Planning a liveaboard dive trip? This ultimate 2025 packing list covers everything you’ll need – from must-have dive gear and personal items to handy extras that make life onboard smoother. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned diver, this checklist helps you dive in fully prepared.

Article
Adam Lucia
Best Places to Swim or Dive with Whale Sharks: Our Top 6
Socorro Islands
Swimming with whale sharks is one of the ocean’s most remarkable experiences. These gentle giants—reaching up to 12 m in length—are filter feeders and pose no threat to snorkellers. Whether you’re seeking a classic liveaboard expedition or a day-trip snorkel, this guide helps you choose the right destination, season, and operator for a safe and awe-inspiring encounter.

Article
Betty R
Best Manta Ray Diving in the World
Socorro Islands
We've traveled the world and picked our top 7 locations with the best manta ray diving.
2025 report round-ups confirm classics like Komodo, Kona, and Maldives’ Hanifaru Bay still reign supreme for mesmerising manta encounters. Dive operators now weave in citizen-science photo-ID programs and updated season calendars , so you can chase gentle giants responsibly and add to vital conservation efforts

Article
Betty R
Best Shark Diving in the World - Top 5
French Polynesia
Our travel experts' top 5 picks for the best shark diving destinations in the world. Learn what to see, the best time to dive, and more! We’ve added new liveaboard shark‑diving departures to Cocos Island and expanded our Tiger Beach, Bahamas scuba options, allowing more diving time with tiger sharks and reef species. Explore 2025 itineraries and expert-led departures on our Cocos liveaboards and Tiger Beach shark diving.

Article
JennyH
Best Scuba Diving in the World in 2025
Fiji
Our travel advisors and trip leaders are always on the move, exploring the underwater world! Using their firsthand experience and feedback from our valued guests, we've curated a list that showcases the best diving in the world in 2025. Learn when to go, where to stay, top dive sites, and more.

Trip Report
Nirupam Nigam
Socorro 2025 Trip Report
Socorro Islands
Join trip leader Nirupam Nigam on an unforgettable February 2025 photo workshop in Socorro, featuring giant mantas, sharks, and expert underwater photography guidance aboard Rocio del Mar.

Article
Agnes
Top 20 Dive Sites in the World
Malaysia
Discover the Bluewater team's favorite dive sites around the world. From remote corners of Asia and Micronesia to our own doorstep, we've chosen our top 20 dive sites that keep us coming back again and again .

Trip Report
bettyr
Socorro Trip Report February 2024
Socorro Islands
Experience the magic of our February 2024 Socorro Manta & Shark Madness Liveaboard trip. Learn about the liveaboard, the dive sites, and our marine life encounters, with incredible underwater photos.

Article
JennyH
Best Diving Nearby for Americans
Fiji
Explore the best dive sites close to home! Whether you have limited vacation time or want to save money on flights so you can spend more time underwater, Bluewater Travel has got you covered. With our headquarters in Southern Californias Culver City, we have explored plenty of local dive sites and destinations that are within easy reach of the region, and here are our top dives this side of the world:

Trip Report
Jacqui
Socorro 2023 Trip Report
Socorro Islands
Mark B. Hatter led Bluewater Travel's February 2023 photo workshop in Socorro, Mexico, aboard the Rocio Del Mar. Highlights included encounters with whale sharks, humpback whales, and numerous species of sharks and mantas. The trip boasted excellent weather, clear seas, and successful photography opportunities, drawing repeat guests and showcasing vibrant marine life.

Trip Report
Nirupam Nigam
Socorro Trip Report - February 2022
Socorro Islands
Led by Nirupam Nigam, the trip focused on underwater photography. Participants encountered diverse marine life including manta rays, sharks (silvertip, hammerheads), and humpback whales. The Rocio Del Mar liveaboard provided a comfortable base for learning and exploring, with participants using a variety of camera systems. Conditions varied from calm to challenging, but each dive offered unique photographic opportunities, culminating in close encounters with humpback whales at Roca Partida.

Trip Report
Nirupam Nigam
Socorro Trip Report - February 2021
Socorro Islands
Nirupam Nigam led a Bluewater workshop to the remote Revillagigedo Archipelago, Socorro Islands. Aboard the Rocio Del Mar, they navigated 250 nautical miles of the Pacific. Dives at sites like San Benedicto and Roca Partida featured encounters with mantas, sharks, dolphins, and even a whale shark, making it an unforgettable experience for all.

Article
AgnesA
Bluewater Highlights of 2020
Socorro Islands
The year 2020 will be one many of us are keen to forget. But despite most travelers having to postpone or cancel their dive plans, Bluewater still managed to run several successful trips and photo workshops to various parts of the globe. Heres our round-up of the highlights of 2020, and I think youll agree it wasnt all doom and gloom!

Trip Report
ilovediving
Socorro March 2020 Trip Report
Socorro Islands

Article
bettyr
Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World
Fiji
We've traveled around the world and picked the best places for scuba diving via liveaboard. Learn what to see, where to stay, and much more!

Article
bettyr
Best Scuba Diving in Mexico - Top 9
Socorro Islands
We've traveled around the country and picked the 9 best places for scuba diving in Mexico. Learn what to see, where to stay and much more!

Article
timyeo
Socorro, Cocos, or Galapagos? - Top 3 Big Animal Diving
Socorro Islands
Understand the differences as we compare three of the East Pacific's best locations for big animal diving: Socorro, Cocos, and Galapagos. What to expect, what to see, and dive information.

Trip Report
colombiana9
Socorro Dive Report: March 2019 Photo Workshop
Socorro Islands
Helen Brierley describes an unforgettable journey aboard the Rocio del Mar from San Jose del Cabo to San Benedicto Island. The liveaboard's stabilizers ensured a smooth crossing, essential for seasick-prone travelers. Diving highlights included encounters with mantas, sharks, and rare False killer whales, culminating at Roca Partida with its legendary currents and diverse marine life.

Trip Report
admin
Socorro 2019 Dive Report - Sharks and Manta Rays!
Socorro Islands
Scott Gietler's first Socorro dive trip exceeded expectations with abundant shark and manta ray encounters. The journey from Cabo was straightforward, and highlights included close-up shark sightings, impressive manta ray interactions, and a memorable dolphin hunt. Socorro proved a must-visit destination for underwater photographers.

Trip Report
Travel Editor
2018 Socorro Trip Report
Socorro Islands
Vijay Raman's detailed account on the Bluewater Photo Workshop that he led in Socorro in March 2018.





















