250 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, lies the Revillagegedo Islands, otherwise known as Socorro. This small chain is world renowned for their Giant Pacific Manta Ray encounters, as well as a plethora of other large pelagics.
Photo Ellen Blum.
Our well represented Underwater Phantaseas gang, hailing from Colorado, Texas, New York, Arizona, Canada and the UK, all descended upon Cabo to board the Nautilus Explorer, our home and dive boat for the next 8 days. 24 hours after boarding, San Benedicto came into view along with our first of many dives.
Photo Kristin Cancilla
The mantas definitely delivered, starting with a snorkel after our first dive, and ending with 3 straight dives with them circling over and over again. Every photographer left with hours of editing ahead after filling numerous memory cards.
Photo Billy Watson
We also encountered Hammerhead, Galapagos, Silky, Silvertip and Whitetip reef sharks, yellowfin tuna, bluefin trevally, black jacks and several humpbacks on the surface. The highlight for many was a Tiger shark sighting, and I can finally say after close to 3000 dives I finally have my first Tiger sighting underwater!
Photo Billy Watson
As can happen with open ocean diving, we did experience some rough seas, and our dive trip was cut a couple dives short when the weather worsened. Even as we are starting our steam back home, smiles abound as photos are reviewed and dive logs updated.
