In April 2013 Mick Todd and I spent two days diving Socorro Island, a small volcanic island in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, which lies about 600 kilometres off Mexico’s western coast. Socorro Island is the largest of the Revillagigedo’s four islands and we had motored there aboard Sea Escape, a 34 metre aluminium vessel, from the boats home port of Cabo San Lucas, 390 kilometres to the north.
The underwater visibility around Socorro Island was not always clear, particularly near the surface. I suspect this was due to air in the water from the substantial surge and turbulence close to the island. Occasionally large manta rays and tuna glided quite closely by Mick and I – if only the water had been clearer! The warm water kept the elusive hammerhead sharks frustratingly deep, usually down at around 35 to 45 metres but at least the visibility was clearer at that depth. Whitetip reef sharks were easier to get close to and we also saw dolphins, the odd silky shark and from the surface, humpback whales.
We dived the Punta Pears dive site three times. This is an underwater ridge which initially descends gradually but then drops steeply, producing a spectacular geography. We then had two rather disappointing dives at Punta Tosca, another dramatic underwater ridge. Fortunately our dive guide Jonathon Lopez pointed out clearer water around an underwater pinnacle to the south-east of Punta Tosca. Although Jonathan had not dived it before or indeed knew anything about it, we agreed to take a gamble and dive it. We were pleased we did. There was no large marine life but it was a relaxing and enjoyable dive in good visibility. This unnamed pinnacle rose almost 29 metres from the seabed, nearly breaking the surface. Mick removed his fins and attempted to climb it. Several times he slipped back, surge making his climb far from easy but eventually Mick reached the summit! It was quite an achievement – not least because Mick was suffering from a head cold and a bad case of Reverse Ear Block.