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Socorro Manta And Shark Madness Photo Workshop 2028

Join Bluewater's Socorro Islands Photo Workshop on the Quino del Mar in Feb 2028 for manta rays, sharks & humpback whales.

Book this Trip
Book this Trip

Shark Encounters

Pelagic Encounters

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

  1. Guided group trips-
  2. Socorro Manta And Shark Madness Photo Workshop 2028
Socorro Manta And Shark Madness Photo Workshop 2028 - image
Manta rays
Feb 16, 2028 - Feb 25, 2028

Manta Ray Encounters

Free Photo Workshops

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.

     Socorro Trip Report 2024 Socorro Trip Report 2024

     Socorro Trip Report 2024 Socorro Trip Report 2024 

    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.

     Socorro Trip Report 2024 Socorro Trip Report 2024

     Socorro Trip Report 2024 Socorro Trip Report 2024

    Recommended Scuba Gear

    Download our full scuba gear guide to Socorro, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).

    • 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 

    Note on Marine Park Fees 

    *For people who are over 60 and can provide documentation that they are retired or pensioned, the park fee will be waived. According to the CONANP, any official document with the words "RETIRED" or "PENSIONED" will be accepted along with a photo of a current passport. Any other documentation will NOT be accepted. 

    In our experience, US citizens who are receiving retirement benefits from the Social Security Administration can download a Benefit Verification Letter from the www.SSA.gov website. 

    For students and teachers: A 75% discount is available for ACTIVE/CURRENT students and teachers. To get this discount, a photocopy of an identification card with a photo and current date is required. 

     To apply for an exception, the above documentation should be sent to Bluewater at trips@bluewaterdivetravel.com no later than one month prior to boarding. Please note that CONANP has the final word if a document is accepted or not. They do not verify the exception prior to the trip. If it is not accepted, the applicant will be required to pay the full park fees.

    For more details, read about the Socorro Marine Park Fees 2025.

    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

    Book this Trip

    Accommodation

    About the Quino Del Mar

    Launched 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.

    Exterior of the Quino del Mar

    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!

    Check out our walkthrough video of the Quino del Mar!

    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
    Book this Trip

    Extend your trip

    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:

     

    Read More
    Quino del Mar Cabin - image

    Quino del Mar Cabin

    Air Conditioning (AC)

    Toilet

    Shower

    En Suite Bathroom

    Double-occupancy

    $4,295

    per person

    Inquire about this trip

    Check availability
    and start planning your perfect trip

    Check Availability

    Booking with us is free

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    Twin bed accommodation
    Quino del Mar Cabin - image

    Quino del Mar Cabin

    Air Conditioning (AC)

    Toilet

    Shower

    En Suite Bathroom

    Double-occupancy

    $4,295

    per person