Rocio Socorro Islands

Rocio Del Mar Liveaboard - Diving the Socorro Islands

Three times a year, we offer a trip that covers all of Baja California. Choose your adventure beginning in Puerto Peñasco and ending in San Jose del Cabo or vise versa.

Experience what very few people have. A journey where there are no roads, very few people and almost no boats. The stars at night are so close that you can reach out and are surprised that you cannot touch them. At night you hear something splashing. It could be anything. Dolphins, marlin, a schools of bonitos? Then you hear the huge sound of blowing and water spouting. It's a whale! You can't see him but he sounds big. At a distance you hear the sea lions and pelicans. What a splendid way to end a magnificent day.

During the day we move from one island to the next , diving 3 to 4 times daily. If you wish to hike the remote islands during surface intervals, there is always a dingy available to take you to shore. Our kayaks are also always available for a serene cruise around the islands.

Exploring one island to the next is a magical experience. One that will linger in your memory for years and years to come. The Sea of Cortez remains a secret oasis where the desert meets the sea.

ACTIVITIES:

Diving, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and explore small towns and missions.

THINGS TO SEE:

Jacques Cousteau and John Stienbeck saw the magic that the Sea of Cortez has to offer. Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez the worlds aquarium. John Stienbeck wrote "The Log of the Sea of Cortez" a journey through a remote and beautiful corner of the world, a diary filled with the daily excitements and triumphs of skillful and energetic men. It is also an invitation to see the world anew from a fresh vantage point and perhaps with a broader and more understanding spirit.

The bio-diversity between the Northern and Southern Sea of Cortez is incredible. Diving the entire Baja is spectacular. The sea life we witness on the surface from the boat, dingys or snorkling is fantastic.

Dolphins, sea lions, pilot whales, humpback whale, blue fin whales, orca and sperm whales. Flying mantas, blue and brown footed boobie birds, cormorants, frigate birds and the endemic yellow footed gulls.

Although the conditions in the Sea of Cortez are mostly calm, there are times that the sea is rough. Please be prepared for this type of situation. There are several over the counter remedies that can help you in case we are faced with rough seas during your trip.

Average Surface Water Temperatures

January - 63º
February - 64º
March - 67º
April - 72º
May - 77º
June - 75º
July - 75º
August - 80º
September - 85º
October - 87º
November - 71º
December - 65º

Itineraries

Board the boat the day of departure at 8 a.m.

Day 1 - Departure 9:00 a.m.

Day 2 - Rocio del Mar arrives to San Benedicto around 11:00 a.m. Start Diving! 2 dives scheduled.
Potential Dive sites: Angel Rock, La Vela, & Lolo’s Cove. Sunset zodiak cruise with sea lions.

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.

Day 7 - San Benedicto, schedule 4 dives. At the end of this day we will start our departure to San Jose del Cabo.

Day 8 - Arrive at San Jose del Cabo around 11 p.m. Guests may sleep on the boat.

Day 9 - Disembark by 8:30 a.m.

• Individuals are responsible for their transportation to and from the airport. If you need assistance with this, please contact us and we will gladly help you.
• National Park Fees of $28.00 per person due on the boat or can be added to the invoice.
• Nitrox fee of $120.00 per person, per week due on the boat or can be added to the invoice.
• Gratuity fee of 10-15% per person recommended.
• Passports: A copy of your passport prior to trip is required.
• Dive Insurance is required. You must show proof of insurance and dive certification when boarding. Without proof, you will not be able to dive. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
• Prices include three meals per day, snacks, beverages including soft drinks, juice, domestic beer and wine.
• Tanks, weights and weight belts are also provided.
• Normal full boat capacity is 20. Trip minimum is 10 divers.
• Our trips to the Socorro Islands are 9 days with 6 full days of diving. Please plan on arriving a day prior to your scheduled date of trip.
• Please be advised that we will depart from the San Jose del Cabo Marina on the first day of the trip at 8 a.m., for a 9 a.m., departure. Rocio Del Mar strongly advises that all passengers arrive in San Jose Del Cabo (SDJ) a day prior to departure. Please contact the office for hotel referrals.

Staterooms: 10 comfortable guest staterooms on two decks. All have private bathrooms with hot shower stalls, western style toilets, lavatories, and above height window. Each cabin is carpeted and air conditioned. There are room length windows with privacy curtains and convenient gear and clothes storage drawers beneath the beds. We recommend any private valuables be safely stored in the boat’s secure vault.

There are two staterooms on the second deck behind the bridge on the port and starboard side. Each features a full size lower bed and a single size bed on top with adjustable reading lights.

The spacious dining area is in the lower forward part of the boat to minimize any sense of movement during meals.

We will carefully select anchorages to minimize any wave action on the 200 ton stiff steel vessel while anchored for the night.

Oversize engines designed to operate at low working loads with high efficiency, producing less engine noise and vibration at normal cruising speed.

Deep V hull design and wave breaking bow knuckle to minimize surface wave action against the hull as the Rocio Del Mar moves forward through the sea.

Eight cabins on the main deck - four on the port and starboard side. 6 cabins feature two single beds with reading lights. 2 cabins feature a double bed with lots of storage space underneath. Adjustable reading lights to focus the illumination without disturbing your cabin-mate.
Smoking is allowed only on the top sun deck.
Wet gear storage is available on the diving deck, so there is no need to lug gear or clutter your stateroom with it.

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In 1989 MV Bilikiki sailed as the first full service luxury live aboard dive vessel in the Solomon Islands. She is a large, stable, comfortable vessel and consistently rated one of the best live aboards in the world.

MV Bilikiki has 10 deluxe cabins, eight with a double bed and single bunk and two with twin single beds and no bunk (cabins #1 & 2). All cabins are air conditioned and have their own en-suite. There is a large sundeck, comfortable lounge and camera area and spacious dive deck. Her large size and a hull that was built for South Pacific seas are two main reasons why guests from around the world still say that "the Bilikiki" is one of the most spacious and comfortable vessels that they have travelled on.

• Construction: Steel
• Length: 125 ft
• Beam: 24 ft
• Voltages:
- 415 V three-phase
- 240 V single-phase (Australian style)
- 110 V charging outlets (US style)
• Tonnage: 280
• Full Safety Equipment
• Main Engine: 350 HP 3406 Turbo Charged Caterpillar Diesel
• Generators: 2 × 130kW
• Cabins: 10 staterooms all with en-suite
• Special Features:
- Large Screen Ultra HD TV
- Nitrox System
- Desalinator
- Fully Air Conditioned Cabins
- Large camera tables
- Separate rinse bins for photo gear
- Separate photo room

Please note we are not currently running our second vessel, Spirit of Solomons, for diving charters but please contact us for long term charters or other uses.

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