Dive Ninja & Girls That Scuba 2024 Socorro Liveaboard Trip
Our last Dive Ninja & Girls That Scuba Socorro trip was so much fun we knew we had to do it again! So we are heading back to the magical Revillagigedo Archipelago! Widely considered some of the best big animal diving on earth, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in the world. It is located 240 miles south of Cabo San Lucas in the middle of the eastern Pacific Ocean. The area is most commonly known by the name of its largest island – Isla Socorro. These islands are a sanctuary for massive oceanic manta rays that can grow upwards of 7 meters wide (23 feet). Over 10 species of sharks can be spotted here including tiger sharks & schools of hammerheads, as well as friendly pods of bottlenose dolphins, and giant tuna. But it is not just the sheer abundance of big marine life that makes this area so unique. The interactions with these remarkable creatures are what underwater dreams are made of.
Join Team Ninja as we partner with Girls That Scuba to kick off 2024 for a special trip to these beautiful islands on January 15-23, 2024 or check out the Ninja New Years Socorro trip January 3-11, 2024. This is a limited offer trip with 23 spaces available. Everyone is welcome to join, both male and female divers. We recommend that you act fast as this trip will sell out quick. Scroll down for more details on the trip, then register online now to secure your space. Feel free to contact us at [email protected] or +1-973-619-9976 with any questions or to reserve your space today.
The Itinerary
Our trip will begin at the Nautilus suite located on the marina in downtown Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We’ll set sail that evening for Isla San Benedicto, the closest of the 3 islands. The crossing to San Benedicto takes around 24-26 hours giving us plenty of time to settle in, catch up with friends, and learn all about the incredible encounters that are waiting for us. Award winning underwater photographer & conservationist, Jay Clue, will be on hand to give a presentation about the current conservation work & manta identification projects going on in the area with the Pacific Manta Research Group. He’ll also show you how to get involved during the trip – and maybe even have the chance to name a manta! The itinerary for the trip will take us through the Revillagigedo Islands from San Benedicto to Socorro and our personal favorite, Roca Partida! We’ll aim to hit all the best dive sites that make this area so famous including El Cañon, The Boiler, Roca Partida, Cabo Pearce, and more! With up to 4 dives per day you’ll have chances to encounter friendly giant oceanic manta rays, over 10 species of sharks including scalloped hammerheads, silver tips, white tips, black tips, silkies, Galapagos, dusky, tiger sharks, whale sharks, as well as bottlenose dolphins, false killer whales, massive yellowfin tuna, humpback whales, and more. And for those interested we’ll be doing a special silky shark night snorkel one evening too! After 5 full days of diving we will begin our journey back to Cabo San Lucas. On the return crossing Jay and the team will be on hand to help with photo editing tips, manta ray identification submissions, and more. Then we’ll wrap up the trip with our version of the infamous Crap Photography contest.
The Ship
For this special trip we have chartered one of the best ships in Socorro – the Nautilus Explorer! The Explorer is the iconic flagship of Nautilus Liveaboards. She features 13 ensuite staterooms, a beautiful salon & dining area with picture windows, a jacuzzi on the sundeck, and so much more! The Explorer was designed & built in Canada to be safe and comfortable with onboard stabilizers for a smooth ride. She is also the world’s first SOLAS certified dive ship – which is the same safety certification much larger cruise ships must carry. The ship is 40 meters (132 ft) long and holds a massive dive deck, tons of camera table space, an extensive fully stocked bar, a beautiful sundeck to take in the views, and even satellite wifi.
The Explorer offer 5 different types of staterooms. They all are comfy and offer ample storage, individual climate control, a TV monitor with media player, as well as private ensuite bathrooms with showers. The double staterooms come in multiple varieties with 1 double & 1 single bed or 2 single single side by side beds. The Explorer also offers 2 single rooms for those looking for a little extra privacy. She also offers a triple room with 4 single bunks for those looking to save a little. Additionally on the upper deck she has 3 superior suites that boast large windows, desks, wardrobes and, of course, ensuite bathrooms and showers. Also on the upper deck is the beautiful premium suite, formerly the owner’s private suite onboard. This incredible 2 room suite includes a bedroom and lounge. The bathroom even has a full size bathtub! As well as big windows, tons of space, and the ability to be configured into either 2 smaller beds or 1 large bed for those looking to make the trip extra special.
What’s The Cost?
The Nautilus Explorer offers 5 different room options. A standard double stateroom at $3,295* USD per person, a triple stateroom at $2,895* USD per person, the Superior Suites at $3,895* USD per person, the Single Occupancy rooms at $4,144* USD per person, and the Emerald Premium suite at $4,4795* USD per person. All prices are per person and on shared occupancy basis. If you are traveling solo, no problem! We will match you with another solo ninja guest of the same gender. Or if you prefer your own private room 2 Single Occupancy rooms are also available.
What’s Included
The trip price includes all diving & activities, AL80 tanks, weights, presentations, 8 nights accommodation on a shared basis, 4 delicious meals per day plus snacks, juices, soft drinks, tea, coffee, fresh towels in your stateroom as needed, as well as fresh towels on the dive deck for drying off between dives. Additionally Nautilus supplies every diver with a Nautilus LifeLine Marine Rescue GPS, a Dive Alert signaling device, and a SMB “safety sausage” to use on the trip.
What’s Not Included
The price does not include flights, transfers from airport to/from ship, port fee of $35 USD payable in cash onboard, Revillagigedo National Marine Park fee ($375), alcoholic beverages/bar purchases, Nitrox upgrade ($120 per person – optional, but highly recommended), rental equipment, Crew Gratuity (10%-15% of trip price is customary but is at your discretion), 5% of MexicanIVA Tax*, or credit card processing fees.
*Please note that Nautilus does not include 5% of Mexican VAT in their pricing. The Mexican IVA tax has been harmonized at 16% across Mexico. The original 11% tax is included in your trip fee. The 5% increase is charged additionally.
Flights & Pre-Trip Activities Information
This trip departs and returns from Cabo San Lucas located in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico. The nearest airport is Los Cabos International Airport (airport code SJD) in San Jose del Cabo about a 40 minute taxi or bus ride away from Cabo San Lucas. We recommend arriving at least a day early to give you some time to relax and a little padding in case of any travel delays. Easy flights to Cabo can be found from many international airports in the US, Canada, and Europe as well as many other areas. From the US and Canada many direct flights can be found as well as some with a stop over in Houston, Dallas, multiple airports in California, or Atlanta. From Europe you can either fly through the US or through Mexico City. Some airlines to check out are Alaska Air & AeroMexico (our personal favorites), United, and Virgin, but there are numerous others.
And of course since you are visiting the birthplace of Dive Ninjas we recommend checking out some of the amazing things the area has to offer. In January you have the peak of the humpback whale migration, mako sharks off the coast, our resident sea lions in Cabo & La Paz, whale sharks in La Paz, Bull Sharks in Cabo Pulmo, schools of cow nose rays in Cabo, hammers at Gordo, and so much more. We recommend checking out some of our dive tours in Cabo to get a taste of Baja as well as learning about the area or getting involved in some of the awesome conservation projects Team Ninja is working on.
Additionally, Dive Ninjas is also working on a special ‘Best of Baja Mini Expedition’ add-on package for guests of this trip! More details will be released soon! Interested in adding this to your Socorro expedition? Give us a shout and we can set it up for you.
Watch: Dreaming of Dolphins
By Nautilus Odysseys
Expedition Quick Facts:
Ship: M/V Nautilus Explorer
Board: January 15, 2023 at 8pm
Disembark: January 23, 2023 at 8.30am
Duration: 9 Days, 8 nights
Dive Days: 5 days, +/- 20 dives
Departing from: Nautilus Liveaboards Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Nearest Airport: Los Cabos International (SJD)
Trip Cost: $2895.00 – $4495.00 USD
Min Deposit to Reserve: 30%
Watch: Winged Giants
By Howard Hall