IMPORTANT NOTES & FAQ - Socorro
Passport / visa
If you are not a Mexican citizen, you are required to carry with you a valid passport. (Please e- mail us the copy of your full passport page with photo prior to your trip.)
If you are flying into Mexico, you will need to fill out an Entry Immigration Form (FMT) to obtain a Mexico Tourist Card or visa ($25). In case your airline will not provide the form onboard your flight, it is recommended that you fill out and print the form at home.
(https://www.mexicotouristcard.com)
If you are entering Mexico via San Diego, you must obtain and pay for your FMT at the border crossing in San Ysidro. (There is a no-cost immigration form that allows you to visit by land only for 5 days, but if you are embarking on a ship, this no-cost document will not be sufficient for you). A copy of both documents has to be filed for each passenger boarding the vessel.
Payment / cancellation terms
At the time of booking a $500 / person down payment is necessary to confirm your reservation. The amount is non-refundable. The balance payment is due 90 days prior to departure. No cancellations are accepted once the full payment is made however it can be transferred to a replacement diver.
Cabin reservations
Cabins may be booked in advance (charges may apply) or may be assigned upon arrival. All 13 double cabins have en-suite bathrooms. There are 5 queen-bed cabins and 8 twin-bed cabins.
Liveaboard departure city
Trips start from and end in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico.
Arriving in San Jose Del Cabo
It is recommended that you arrive a day before your trip and spend the night at a hotel. (You may also want to spend a night at a hotel after your trip.) This way you can take care of lost luggage, last-minute replacement of any missing items, or make up time for delayed flights.
Transfers
Transfers are provided from hotels in San Jose Del Cabo to the boat and from the boat to hotels in San Jose Del Cabo after the trip. (No transfers are provided from/to the airport.)
Boarding / sailing time
Pick-up time is at 07:00 from the hotel on departure day. Sailing out is at 10:00.
Length of the liveaboard trip
Each trip usually lasts 8-9 days.
Return to port / disembarkation
You will return to port on the last day at around 20:00. Disembarkation is by 09:00 on the final day.
The first dive
Your first dive is scheduled for the following morning at 08:00.
Dives per day
The number of dives per day depend on weather conditions and the number of boats at each location. There are usually 3-4 dives per day.
Usual dive plan
Arrival day: arrival in San Jose Del Cabo, night spent at a hotel
Day 1: transfer from the hotel to the boat, embarkation, departure from San Jose Del Cabo at around 10:00
Day 2: at sea, diving at San Benedicto Island
Day 3: at sea, diving at Socorro Island
Day 4: at sea, diving at Roca Partida
Day 5: at sea, diving at Roca Partida
Day 6: at sea, diving at Socorro Island
Day 7: at sea, diving at San Benedicto Island
Day 8: arrival in San Jose Del Cabo at around 20:00, night spent onboard
Departure day: disembarkation (transfer to a hotel if requested)
Guided dives
All dives are in groups and guided.
Night diving
There are no night dives on the trips however snorkelling with silky sharks is possible at night.
Depths
Normally the dives are less than 30m. Many of the dives are made in the blue, so good buoyancy control ability is a must.
Visibility
Normally visibility is around 20-30m.
Currents
There is not much current normally but sometimes they may occur.
Marine life
You can expect to see up to 10 species of sharks (ie. whale sharks, silver-tips, white-tip reef sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, silk sharks, Galapagos sharks). You will also see giant mantas, humpback whales, dolphins and lots of pelagic fish.
Zodiacs
Dives are done from zodiacs at all times.
Nitrox
You may dive with Nitrox on the trips. The price is $125 / person / week or trip.
Dive guides / crew members
Usually there are 2-3 dive masters and 9-11 crew members onboard.
Briefings
You will be briefed by the guides before each dive.
Water temperatures throughout the year
You can expect water temperatures to be around 21-25C (70-77F).
Diving suit recommended
A 5-7mm wet suit is recommended though some divers use semi-dry suits.
Courses onboard
Nitrox course is available onboard for $125 / person. Other courses may be available but must be requested and scheduled ahead of time.
Environmental protection / preservation laws and regulations
You must not touch any marine life (fauna or flora) and you must not remove anything from the sea (living or otherwise, including sand, shells, corals, etc.). You must also not throw anything into the water (organic or non-organic waste included).
Qualifications / documentations
You must present to the guides your valid diving certificate and you must also have DAN or equivalent diving insurance as well as full travel insurance coverage. Non-divers must also have valid full travel insurance coverage.
Equipment rental
You may rent diving equipment. You must send the list of items and sizes ahead of time. Please note that dive computers are not available to rent.
The rental price is $60 / each piece or $150 / 3 pieces (BCD, regulator, wet suit).
Snorkelling
Snorkelling may be permitted at certain areas.
Documents onboard
You must sign a waiver release form and a medical form onboard.
Mandatory vaccinations
None needed.
Payment methods / currency
Only cash payments ($ or €) are accepted onboard.
Cell (mobile) / WIFI coverage
There is no cell (mobile) or WIFI coverage onboard at sea except for the first 2 hours after leaving port.
Satellite phone
There is one onboard. The charge is $3.50 / minute.
Type of cuisine onboard
International cuisine is served on the trips.
Types of meals onboard
For breakfast: oatmeal, eggs any style, quesadillas (you may order a la carte)
For lunch: salad, chicken, fish
For dinner: soup, steak, fish, dessert
Meal times
06:30 light breakfast (coffee, fruits, breads/pastries)
09:00 full breakfast
13:00 lunch
19:00 dinner
Snacks are available throughout the day.
Meal service
Meals are served to you. It is possible to get seconds.
Snacks and drinks
Snacks are available throughout the day. Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are included in the price (beer and wine is available in limited quantities).
You may bring your own beer or liqueur onboard but please note that alcoholic beverages may not be consumed until the dive day is over.
Cabin amenities
There are bed linens and towels in the cabins (no bathrobes), and toiletries such as soap and shampoo. Beach towels are also provided.
Linens and towels are changed once during each trip.
Electricity onboard
110v with North-American sockets as well as 220v in some areas.
Local customs
Tipping the crew and guides is important. They work very hard for you during the entire trip. We recommend a tip of $250 / guest. (All tips are collected and divided among the crew and guides equally.)
Safe onboard
There is a safe onboard where you may place your valuables. The guides will provide you access. We can only accept responsibility for items placed in the safe.
Medical facilities onboard
Basic first-aid kit, medication for general medical problems, blood pressure control system and Oxygen is available onboard. It is recommended to bring all regularly taken and familiar medications with you.
Nearest hospital / medical facility on land
There are medical facilities in Cabo San Lucas and there is a small navy hospital at the naval station at Socorro Island.
Nearest decompression chamber
It is in Cabo San Lucas.
Weather / apparel
Normally the weather is nice and pleasant but if the North winds hit, it can be a bit rough. Light casual clothing (T-shirts, shorts, sandals) is recommended plus a sweatshirt or a light jacket for the evenings.
Cultural / sightseeing programs
Some sightseeing programs may be arranged for you after the trip if requested ahead of time.
Photography / videography
There are no known restrictions. Feel free to take photos and videos.