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Liveaboard Diving in Roca Partida
Mexico Dive Site : Roca Partida
Liveaboards to San Benedicto, part of the Socorro Islands, or officially known as, the Revillagigedo Archipelago, will be escorting divers to one of the best dive areas for seeing large pelagics. The Socorro Islands are a group of four volcanic islands located in the Pacific Ocean about 400km (250mi) off the coast of the southern tip of Baja California; a southwestern state of Mexico. This archipelago is a popular dive area and most popular for the different pelagic species which you will have a chance to see and dive with. The other three islands are Socorro Island, San Benedicto, and Clarion; all incredible dive sites in their own ways. Roca Partida is the smallest of the islands, it is a pinnacle at a height of 30m (100ft).
Roca Partida is a year-round dive area, but each season brings its own gems. The calmest seas are from November to May with the waters being around 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) in November, 21 degrees Celsius (69 degrees Fahrenheit) in February and back up to 25 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) in May. These winter months also bring with them the main spectacles; the thousands of humpback whales which stopover here during their migration to and from Alaska, and numerous Pacific manta rays. The visibility here depends solely on the plankton in the water which depends on the moon, but in general, the visibility varies from 15 - 50m (49 - 164ft).
Roca Partida is a more advanced diving area as sometimes there are strong currents and big waves, and most dive spots are quite deep, however, each liveaboard to Roca Partida has their own minimum dive experience level, most expect to have your Advanced Open water with at least 50 logged dives, but there are a few which only need you to have your Open Water and no minimum logged dives. Please keep this in mind.
What You Can See
Roca Partida liveaboard dive cruises provide divers with a chance to see a large variety of marine life to satisfy all divers with a unique experience. It is open water dives and the unsteady conditions, with currents coming and going and large waves coming and going, many pelagic species are attracted to this area. When diving down you will first be met by large schools of Jacks and Tuna which live around the pinnacle. 20 meters (60 feet) down the pinnacle there are multiple caves, which you can explore, which inhabit lobsters and different species of sharks. Some of the most popular sharks you will run into here are Oceanic white tip, schooling Scalloped Hammerhead sharks, and on an extremely lucky day Whale Sharks. Other inhabitants are the impressive Giant Pacific Manta Rays which fly through the water with wingspans of around 7 meters (21 feet), they are extremely curious and come close to the divers for an amazing experience.
This archipelago of islands is part of a protected biosphere reserve and many conservation organizations are working around here to preserve the unique wildlife which inhabits and pass here. Socorro diving area is not a coral reef, so do not expect bright colors everywhere, but once you spot the spectacular marine wildlife you won't be able to focus on much else anyways!
Getting To Roca Partida
This island is only accessible via a Mexico liveaboard, and because this island is mostly uninhabited, this is the perfect way to get away from the busy cities and get a good quality experience with some of the best the oceans have to offer. Liveaboard.com currently offers six different liveaboards that visit these sites, all different to suit anyone's desires.
There are two ports from which the liveaboards we have to offer depart from, these are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. These are both cities in the state of Baja California and located in the most Southern municipality; Los Cabos in Mexico. The closest international airport to these two cities is Los Cabos International Airport, which has flights arriving from the United States, Canada, and other Mexican Cities.
Roca Partida Diving Reviews
- 9.0 Superb
- 84 Verified Reviews
Two whale sharks circling & eating with all the shark action, was a beautiful moment. Enjoyed every dive on this site
Diving Roca Partida in March on the Nautilus Belle Amie
I could dive here everyday of the trip just to watch the animal behaviors.
Diving Roca Partida in April on the Solmar V
This is the second best island to dive.
Diving Roca Partida in May on the Nautilus Belle Amie
No current. Full of life, for me the best dive spot, especially the best and magic underwater landscape.
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Quino el Guardian
Really cool to see all the sea life and then get some blue water diving in.
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Nautilus Belle Amie
We were told that this site was shark heaven. We saw a number of white tips but not other types of sharks.
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Solmar V
A challenging dive site for someone with 50 dives, but the dive masters were keeping a good eye on me. Excellent place to see manta, sleeping sharks, lobster, eels, and more!
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Explorer
One of the most beautiful dive sites. Fish everywhere. Humpback whales!!!
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Explorer
Yuck! Nothing on two dives. Left due to choppy seas.
Diving Roca Partida in March on the Quino el Guardian
This is where we saw manta rays plus white tip sharks
Diving Roca Partida in February on the Nautilus Belle Amie
More mantas than we could count. Larger than life
Diving Roca Partida in February on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Whale sharks, tuna, fantastic. Not for beginner divers
Diving Roca Partida in May on the Solmar V
This was a highlight of the trip - it was like fish soup so many fish , sharks , dolphins
Diving Roca Partida in May on the Valentina
Unbelievable. Teeming with life, the likes of which I've only ever seen in David Attenborough documentaries.
Diving Roca Partida in June on the Nautilus Belle Amie
A bit challenging at times due to currents and open ocean but very rewarding.
Diving Roca Partida in November on the Quino el Guardian
I love the big wall here with huge schools of Jacks. Many huge yellow-fin tuna. Mantas.
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Solmar V
Large schools of fish, lobsters, in addition to white tip and silver tip sharks, and mantas
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Rocio del Mar
It was a little quiet compared to my previous trip in May so we only stayed one day.
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Rocio del Mar
Water was clear, lots of Jacks, but not a lot of sharks this trip.
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Explorer
Large swells, mostly wall diving with colorful fish and white tips
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Rocio del Mar
Roca Partida was my favorite site because of its beauty. We saw a lot of life, but the best part was just the beautiful rock face.
Diving Roca Partida in March on the Nautilus Explorer
Real, real good. Visibility was less than I expected, but was told that we had normal visibility.
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Valentina
So many sharks at cleaning station
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Nautilus Under Sea
Great site -- lots of sharks and other life. Very unique place. Not as many manta as the other sites but a wonderful experience.
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Extremely challenging for me due to the surges and strong current.
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Quino el Guardian
Current was rough, viz not so good
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Sea mounts in the middle of nowhere. Thriving currents this is where I saw schools of tuna, a large tuna up close. Also this is where you see the sleeping silky sharks nestled together.
Diving Roca Partida in March on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Was my favorite dive site. Such epic wall drop and the vast blue full of big eye jacks and whitetip reef sharks was truly a spectable.
Diving Roca Partida in May on the Nautilus Belle Amie
My favorite! So many sharks, yellow fin tuna, wahoos, and fish!
Diving Roca Partida in June on the Nautilus Explorer
Roca Partida was amazing and my favorite spot of this trip! Such a unique experience and full of life.
Diving Roca Partida in June on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Everything you could hope for. Wonderful vis and large sea life. Shelves of sleeping sharks.
Diving Roca Partida in June on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Great dives with school of hammerheads, white-tips, silver tips and even mobulas. That site is also full of big pelagic fish like tuna, wahoo. Each dive at that site is different and bring surprises.
Diving Roca Partida in November on the Quino el Guardian
Amazing so Dolphins, Sharks and Manta Rays
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Solmar V
The diving at Roca Partida was fantastic: Mantas on every dives and all kinds of sharks! Schools of hammerheads passing by. A baitball of fish, and sharks who were hunting there....WOW....that was a big show!
Diving Roca Partida in April on the Nautilus Explorer
You are not a diver till you have dive Roca Partida. It is treacherous at places, but with a good dive team and strategy it can easily turn into the best dive you will ever do.
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Nautilus Explorer
Estuvieron muy bien pero por debajo de las expectativas, eso da motivos adicionales para regresar
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Under Sea
Great encounter with false killer whales
Diving Roca Partida in February on the Solmar V
Diving was very good and many many many white tip reef sharks here.
Diving Roca Partida in November on the Nautilus Belle Amie
I like this location. Many white tips, and silver tips plus the occasional Galapagos shark.
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Under Sea
Breathtaking - the highlight of the trip. An incredible sea mount teeming with healthy marine life. schools of fish, sharks, hunting tuna, manta and whaleshark.
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Very low on marine life compared to previous trips.
Diving Roca Partida in February on the Solmar V
Sheer wall diving but encountered the most fish.Some current.
Diving Roca Partida in February on the Quino el Guardian
Many whitetip sharks, Lots of jacks.
Diving Roca Partida in December on the Nautilus Belle Amie
We did 7 dives here. It was great, but after 4 dives we had seen almost everything.
Diving Roca Partida in February on the Nautilus Explorer
No corrent, no action. Just this very aloof and adherent Manta Ray.
Diving Roca Partida in November on the Valentina
Very good, but better the last time we where there. not do many sharks this time
Diving Roca Partida in November on the Solmar V
Good. A lot of white tip swimming close to you, or laying sleeping in big groups in niches on the rock wall.
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Under Sea
Great, many tunas and beit balls. We saw orcas and humpbacks from the panga.
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Rocio del Mar
Awesome just be ready for currents and swell.
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Explorer
No pelagics on 4 dives for our group - second panga had a humpback on the dive
Diving Roca Partida in February on the Quino el Guardian
Amazing!! Caves of silky sharks! Humpback whale and baby!! The best!!
Diving Roca Partida in February on the Nautilus Belle Amie
The best dive days of the trip. Whale sharks seen on numerous dives. Manta very friendly, often coming within touching distance.
Diving Roca Partida in March on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Visibility in March so-so. Hammerhead, silvertip, blacktip, whitetip, tiger, Galapagos sharks, manta rays.
Diving Roca Partida in March on the Valentina
It was great! Seeing manta rays on almost every dive!
Diving Roca Partida in May on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Diving was also great here. More mantas and sharks. We saw one hammerhead. I would say the diving was great and I imagine it could be even better.
Diving Roca Partida in June on the Nautilus Explorer
Spectacular dives, full of silver and white tips
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Explorer
It was a bit rough though is the most amount of sharks I have ever seen
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Explorer
Visibility a bit poor but lots of sightings of mantas, sharks and dolphins.
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Rocio del Mar
Fun, very interesting landscape. Lots of baby whitetips, even saw some hammers
Diving Roca Partida in January on the Nautilus Belle Amie
I really enjoyed diving here. Stronger currents for sure but the marine life is outstanding, sharks, big schools of jacks and tuna.
Diving Roca Partida in June on the Nautilus Explorer