Socorro via Nautilus

[TASCPA]

Thinking of booking a trip May/June of 2019, and would appreciate all the help we can get.

Boats: Primarily looking at the Explorer and Under Sea for two reasons. Lower diver numbers and earlier arrivals at the dive sites. Any other concerns people have about choosing a boat? Either one of these (or another operator) boats and crew that is just plain old better than the others? Easier to live on and dive from? Smoother sailing?

Weather: What is the weather like during this time frame. Calmer seas or would we be fighting hurricanes?

Length of trip: 8 night trip looks like it is really 5 days of diving. My general rule is that the number of days spent somewhere must be greater than the number of days of travel. This would be about even. Anybody able to compare the 8 day trip to the 10 day trip?

Thanks much!

 

[BDSC]

Another boat to consider is the Rocio Del Mar. I have been on her for three trips now (Socorros and Sea of Cortez) and have her booked for the Socorros again in 2019. The boat holds a maximum of 20 divers so one more than the Under Sea but less than the Explorer at 25. The food and crew are simply fantastic. Plenty of space on the boat to spread out so it never feels crowded.

I don't know if you are set on the May/June time frame but the Socorro Islands are becoming more crowded with more boats going there. That is why I will only book that trip on the RDM because they start going there in November while the other boats are doing the Great White cage diving. When we went last time, we only saw one other dive boat the entire trip. November is also when the water is warm and conditions are typically very nice.

Just something to think about.

 

[BDSC]

Here is a recent thread about the Socorro Islands.

Socorro crowded?

 

[TASCPA]

Another boat to consider is the Rocio Del Mar. I have been on her for three trips now (Socorros and Sea of Cortez) and have her booked for the Socorros again in 2019. The boat holds a maximum of 20 divers so one more than the Under Sea but less than the Explorer at 25. The food and crew are simply fantastic. Plenty of space on the boat to spread out so it never feels crowded.

I don't know if you are set on the May/June time frame but the Socorro Islands are becoming more crowded with more boats going there. That is why I will only book that trip on the RDM because they start going there in November while the other boats are doing the Great White cage diving. When we went last time, we only saw one other dive boat the entire trip. November is also when the water is warm and conditions are typically very nice.

Just something to think about.

First of all, thanks for the info.

Not set on May/June, but it would be easier for us than November. Do like the idea of warmer water as long as it doesn't reduce the wildlife.

Couple of RDM questions:
1. Dive deck photos don't seem to show any seating in the area where the tanks are all set up. Is there plenty of room to get into your gear while seated comfortably?

2. Tanks. Any option for larger and/or steel tanks?

3. On deck showers/cleaning hoses? How is this handled?

4. Camera rinsing. How is this handled?

 

[BDSC]

1. They have both seated stations and standing stations so I'm sure if you had a preference they could work that out. You actually dive in three groups so the dive deck is never crowded. You can easily sit and put on your wetsuit and such.

2. Yes, you can get larger tanks. Just let them know ahead of time. Can't remember if the larger tanks are steel or not.

3. They have a warm water shower at the back of the boat. Maybe it's two of them.

4. They also have a very large rinse tanks at the back of the boat. One is strictly for cameras. They ask that you don't place your camera in the tank and just leave it but to rinse and then remove. Works great.

 

[TASCPA]

1. They have both seated stations and standing stations so I'm sure if you had a preference they could work that out. You actually dive in three groups so the dive deck is never crowded. You can easily sit and put on your wetsuit and such.

2. Yes, you can get larger tanks. Just let them know ahead of time. Can't remember if the larger tanks are steel or not.

3. They have a warm water shower at the back of the boat. Maybe it's two of them.

4. They also have a very large rinse tanks at the back of the boat. One is strictly for cameras. They ask that you don't place your camera in the tank and just leave it but to rinse and then remove. Works great.

Thanks much.