July 6, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Topside Images:
Before signing off from Socorro Islands posts, here are a few topside images from my second cruise aboard Nautilus Explorer:
San Benedicto Island; Great Frigatebird harassing a Brown Booby near Roca Partida; and two photos of Socorro Island.
Enjoy!
I enjoyed this trip so much, that I plan to return to the Socorro Islands next January!
Hopefully, the developing strong El Nino won’t significantly affect the quality and quantity of marine megafauna encounters in the archipelago next Winter. 
We’ll see!
July 4, 2026:
Socorro Islands: El Canyon, San Benedicto Island (Finale):
Here is the other set of my favorite images from our action packed final dive at “El Canyon”:
Galapagos Shark; three photos of Galapagos and Silvertip Sharks; a group of Barberfish; and four shots of Silvertip Sharks.
It was a great way to finish off a terrific cruise aboard Nautilus Explorer!
Enjoy!
Happy July 4th!
July 3, 2026:
Socorro Islands: El Canyon, San Benedicto Island (Continued):
Our late afternoon dive at “El Canyon” was the final dive of the cruise, and it was terrific!
The cleaning station was literally swarming with sharks, particularly Silvertip Sharks, that were getting a little “frisky”!
In addition, there were several Galapagos and Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks circling around!
Occasional Oceanic Manta Rays soared overhead!
Mainly small groups of Barberfish attended to the cleaning duties.
Here is the first of two sets of my favorite images from this exciting dive at “El Canyon”:
Five photos of Silvertip Sharks; a squad of Barberfish; three more Silvertip Shark shots; and a Scalloped Hammerhead Shark.
Enjoy!
July 2, 2026:
Socorro Islands: El Canyon, San Benedicto Island (Continued):
Here is the other set of my favorite images from our fabulous early afternoon dive at “El Canyon”:
Two photos of Silvertip Sharks; Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks; a group of Bluefin Trevally; and three shots of Galapagos Sharks.
Enjoy!
July 1, 2026:
Socorro Islands: El Canyon, San Benedicto Island (Continued):
Our early afternoon dive at “El Canyon” was simply amazing!
There was nonstop action at the cleaning station, with many visiting sharks, especially Galapagos, Scalloped Hammerhead, and Silvertip Sharks!
At one point, a Tiger Shark swam through the cleaning station about 20′ away from me, close enough to admire, but too far away for decent photographs!
If that wasn’t enough, multiple Oceanic Manta Rays were around for most of the dive!
In addition, a small school of Burrito Grunts hung out at the edge of the cleaning station.
Here is the first of two sets of my favorite images from this fabulous dive at “El Canyon”:
Schooling Burrito Grunts; and six photos of Oceanic Manta Rays.
Enjoy!
June 30, 2026:
Socorro Islands: El Canyon, San Benedicto Island (Continued):
During our late morning dive at “El Canyon” the cleaning station remained quite busy!
Visitors included three Oceanic Manta Rays and numerous sharks, including Galapagos, Silvertip, and Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks!
In addition, while we were at our safety stop at the end of the dive, a small school of about a dozen Wahoo swam nearby.
Here are some of my favorite images from our second dive at “El Canyon”:
Four photos of Galapagos Sharks; two shots of Oceanic Manta Rays; Silvertip Shark; and a Scalloped Hammerhead Shark.
Enjoy!
June 29, 2026:
Socorro Islands: El Canyon, San Benedicto Island:
We spent our final dive day of the cruise at “El Canyon,” an iconic San Benedicto Island dive site.
This site features a cleaning station, located at an 85′-90′ depth, which is frequented by marine megafauna, including numerous shark species and Oceanic Manta Rays.
The cleaning station was fairly busy during our early morning dive, with one visiting Oceanic Manta Ray, and many sharks, including Scalloped Hammerhead, Galapagos, Silvertip, and Whitetip Reef Sharks!
Here are several of my favorite images from our initial dive at “El Canyon”:
Two photos of Galapagos Sharks; Bluefin Trevally; two shots of a Scalloped Hammerhead Shark; and an Oceanic Manta Ray.
Enjoy!
June 28, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island (Finale):
Here is the second set of my favorite images from our late afternoon dive at “Cabo Pearce”:
Moorish Idol; two photos of Barred Filefish; Reef Cornetfish; a pair of Forcepsfish; two shots of Scrawled Filefish; and three images of schooling Steel Pompano.
Enjoy!
Following this dive, Nautilus Explorer started cruising back to San Benedicto Island, where we would spend our last dive day.
June 27, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island (Continued):
Unfortunately, we encountered no marine megafauna during our late afternoon dive at “Cabo Pearce.”
So I spent the dive shooting fish portraits.
After we completed the dive, however, there were at least two Humpback Whales and several Bottlenose Dolphins on the surface, perhaps 100 yards away!
Oh well!
So it goes!
In any case, here is the first of two sets of my favorite images from our final dive at “Cabo Pearce”:
Two photos of Barberfish; Mexican Hogfish (Initial Phase); Spotfin Burrfish; three shots of Clarion Angelfish, (the second of which is a juvenile); and three images of Chinese Trumpetfish (In the third photo, a Trumpetfish is tandem fishing with a Guineafowl Puffer (Spotted Phase).
Enjoy!
June 26, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island (Bonus):
Here are three additional Oceanic Manta Ray images from our early afternoon dive at “Cabo Pearce.”
Enjoy!
June 26, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island (Continued):
Our early afternoon dive at “Cabo Pearce” was more action packed than the two previous dives there had been!
Highlights included a small school of Steel Pompano accompanying a Whitetip Reef Shark, with individual fish taking turns brushing against the shark’s sharp dermal denticles!
This behavior, known as chafing, removes parasites, bacteria, and loose scales from the Pompano!
We also had multiple close encounters with two Oceanic Manta Rays, and ample opportunities to observe and photograph numerous species of reef fish.
Here are some of my favorite images from this enjoyable dive at “Cabo Pearce”:
Two photos of the Whitetip Reef Shark accompanied by the school of Steel Pompano; two Oceanic Manta Ray shots; two images of Spotfin Burrfish; Redtail Triggerfish; two additional Oceanic Manta Ray photos; and a Clarion Angelfish.
Enjoy!
June 25, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island (Continued):
Our late morning dive at “Cabo Pearce” was also rather quiet.
There were a few Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks cruising down deep, and several Whitetip Reef Sharks swimming and resting nearby.
However, we encountered no other marine megafauna.
The usual reef fish were around, including Chinese Trumpetfish and Clarion Angelfish.
Here are my favorite images from this relatively uneventful dive at “Cabo Pearce”:
A couple of photos of Whitip Reef Sharks; Chinese Trumpetfish; and a pair of Clarion Angelfish.
Enjoy!
June 23, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island:
Nautilus Explorer moved to the east side of Socorro Island, where we spent our fourth dive day at “Cabo Pearce” (Cape Pearce).
This submerged lava ridge serves as a cleaning station for pelagic megafauna such as Oceanic Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, and Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks.
It’s also not unusual for Bottlenose Dolphins to show up at this dive site.
During our relatively quiet early morning dive, we encountered two Oceanic Manta Rays being cleaned by a squadron of Clarion Angelfish, a cruising Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, and occasional passing Whitetip Reef Sharks.
Here are my favorite images from our first dive at “Cabo Pearce”:
Three photos of an Oceanic Manta Ray; Whitetip Reef Shark; and three additional shots of Oceanic Manta Rays.
Enjoy!
June 22, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Bahia De Cornwallis, Socorro Island:
Our mid-afternoon “exploratory” dive at “Bahia De Cornwallis” (Cornwallis Bay) was the final dive of the day.
This dive site is located close to shore, just west of the Socorro Island Naval Station.
It features interesting “castle-like” rock formations, with sandy bottoms in between.
The water was a comfortable 79Ā°F, with somewhat limited visibility of 50′, mild surge, and no current.
The dive featured a prolonged encounter with a relative curious and active “pack” of juvenile Galapagos Sharks!
We also encountered a Longtail Stingray resting on the sandy bottom.
Here are my favorite images from our fun dive at “Bahia De Cornwallis:
Three photos of juvenile Galapagos Sharks; Longtail Stingray; and four additional shots of the juvenile Galapagos Sharks.
Enjoy!
June 21, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Punta Tosca, Socorro Island (Continued):
Our late morning dive at “Punta Tosca” was rather quiet and mellow.
We spotted four or five Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks cruising along the sloping wall at the deep end of the dive site, out of photographic range.
A curious Oceanic Manta Ray briefly checked us out.
And the local reef fish went about their business along the site’s lava fingers.
Here are my favorite images from this dive at “Punta Tosca”:
Chinese Trumpetfish (Golden Variation); Barred Filefish; and the Oceanic Manta Ray.
Enjoy!
June 19, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Punta Tosca, Socorro Island:
“Punta Tosca” was the site for our two morning dives at Socorro Island.
The divesite features several long lava fingers, alternating with boulder-strewn sandy bottoms.
The highlight of our early morning dive was a “harem” of female initial phase Bicolor Parrotfish being “herded” by a couple of terminal phase males.
There were brief solo “fly bys” made by two different Oceanic Manta Rays, one at the beginning of the dive, and one at the end.
We also encountered a wounded Giant Electric Ray and a Longtail Stingray resting separately on the sand, numerous species of local reef fish, several Socorro Spiny Lobsters, and occasional cruising Whitetip Reef Sharks.
Here are several of my favorite images from this early morning dive at “Punta Tosca”:
Three photos of the “harem” of female initial phase Bicolor Parrotfish, the first of which includes a “herding” terminal phase male; wounded Giant Electric Ray; Socorro Spiny Lobster; Scrawled Filefish; and a Longtail Stingray.
Enjoy!
June 16, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Roca Partida (Finale):
Our late afternoon dive at Roca Partida was relatively quiet, featuring sporadic brief visits made by three or four Oceanic Manta Rays.
Here are a handful of my favorite images from this dive:
Two photos of dive guide Nico with an Oceanic Manta Ray; and three additional shots of the Manta.
After this dive, Nautilus Explorer headed off to Socorro Island, where we would dive the next two days.
Enjoy!
June 15, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Roca Partida (Bonus):
Here are three additional Oceanic Manta Ray images from our great early afternoon dive at Roca Partida.
Enjoy!
June 15, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Roca Partida (Continued):
Our early afternoon dive at Roca Partida was a high voltage dive, featuring virtually nonstop encounters with numerous Oceanic Manta Rays, sometimes two or three at a time!
Here are some of my favorite images from this amazing dive:
Six photos of Oceanic Manta Rays; two shots of dive guide Felipe interacting with one of the Oceanic Manta Rays; and two additional Oceanic Manta Ray images.
Enjoy!
June 12, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Roca Partida:
Our late morning dive at Roca Partida was solid, though relatively quiet by lofty Socorro Islands standards.
In 77Ā° F water, with 100’+ visibility, and mild current and surge, we had brief encounters with three or four Oceanic Manta Rays.
There were also schooling Bigeye Trevally, and a few cruising Whitetip Reef Sharks.
Here are several of my favorite images from this second dive at Roca Partida:
Three photos of the schooling Bigeye Trevally; dive guide Nico interacting with a curious Oceanic Manta Ray; and three additional shots of Oceanic Manta Rays.
Enjoy!
June 10, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Roca Partida:
Our early morning dive at Roca Partida, a large seamount seemingly in the middle of nowhere, featured a large Whale Shark accompanied by a few Bottlenose Dolphins and an Oceanic Manta Ray, as well as additional cruising Oceanic Manta Rays and good sized Yellowfin Tuna.
The activity occurred generally beyond photographic range, so I just enjoyed the show, and only took a handful of photographs.
Here is one image of the Whale Shark that we encountered.
Enjoy!
June 6, 2026:
Socorro Islands: The Boiler, San Benedicto Island (Finale Extra):
Here are four more images from our final dive at “The Boiler”:
Oceanic Manta Ray; two photos of dive guide Marianna interacting with an Oceanic Manta Ray; and a shot of a couple of Oceanic Manta Rays.
Enjoy!
After this dive, the Nautilus Explorer started cruising to Roca Partida, where we dove the following day.
June 6, 2026:
Socorro Islands: The Boiler, San Benedicto Island (Finale):
Our late afternoon dive at “The Boiler” was also terrific!
Highlights included excellent encounters with several Oceanic Manta Rays, schooling Bigeye Trevally and Pacific Creolefish, occasional close passes by cruising Whitetip Reef Sharks, and Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks swimming in the blue, beyond photographic range!
Here are several of my favorite images from this final dive at “The Boiler”:
Whitetip Reef Shark; Oceanic Manta Ray; two photos of dive guide Felipe interacting with a curious Oceanic Manta Ray; another Oceanic Manta Ray shot; schooling Bigeye Trevally; three additional Oceanic Manta Ray images; and schooling Pacific Creolefish.
Enjoy!
June 1, 2026:
Socorro Islands: The Boiler, San Benedicto Island (Continued):
Our early afternoon dive at “The Boiler” was also action packed and great!
Schooling Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks were still cruising by the seamount, though they remained beyond photographic range.
In addition, we had numerous excellent close encounters with 3 or 4 curious and friendly Oceanic Manta Rays!
Here are several of my favorite images from this second dive at “The Boiler”:
Five photos of Oceanic Manta Rays; a shot of a Mexican Hogfish accompanied by a Barred Filefish; and four additional Oceanic Manta Ray images.
Enjoy!
May 29, 2026:
Socorro Islands: The Boiler, San Benedicto Island:
At midnight on January 30, 2026, the Nautilus Explorer headed out of Cabo San Lucas to begin the second of my back-to-back cruises in the Socorro Islands (a.k.a. The Revillagigedo Archipelago).
At 4 AM on February 1st, after a 230 mile, 28 hour smooth crossing, we arrived at San Benedicto Island.
Diving activities began a few hours later with an early morning “check out dive” at “Fondeadero” (The Anchorage).
Based on an uneventful “check out” dive at this site the previous week, and also not expecting good visibility, I left my camera on board, and dedicated the dive to making sure that all of my diving equipment remained in good working order.
Everything worked fine, and the visibility proved to be a suboptimal 25′.
Nonetheless, it was a fun dive, during which we encountered two Oceanic Manta Rays, one chevron and one black, as well as a cruising Whitetip Reef Shark, and a Common Octopus and numerous Socorro Spiny Lobsters on the reef.
Immediately after this “check out dive,” the Nautilus Explorer moved the short distance to “The Boiler” dive site, where we spent the rest of the day, completing three dives.
Our late morning dive at this large seamount, which serves as a cleaning station for pelagic megafauna, was excellent!
The water was a comfortable 77Ā°F, with 50′-75′ visibility, and mild current and swell.
Highlights of the dive included schooling Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks cruising close to the seamount, and prolonged encounters with four Oceanic Manta Rays, often two or three simultaneously!
Here are several of my favorite images from our first dive at “The Boiler”:
Four photos of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks; and five shots of Oceanic Manta Rays.
Enjoy!
May 28, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Topside Images: Roca Partida:
Here are a few images from tiny Roca Partida, the third, and final island that we visited on our cruise:
Roca Partida; two photos of Great Frigatebirds; and a shot of a Great Frigatebird chasing a Masked Booby.
Enjoy!
May 28, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Topside Images: San Benedicto & Socorro Islands:
Before launching into underwater images from my second Socorro Islands cruise, I’d like to share a few topside images from the first cruise:
Two photos of San Benedicto Island near “The Boiler”; Sunrise at Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island; two shots of the Arch & Cave at Cabo Pearce; interesting Rock Formations at Cabo Pearce; the Nautilus Explorer at Cabo Pearce; and another image of Socorro Island near Cabo Pearce.
Enjoy!
May 21, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Roca Partida (Finale):
Our late afternoon dive at Roca Partida, the last dive of the cruise, was also an excellent dive!
The large Whale Shark that we had spotted on the previous dive was still around!
It was now swimming at shallower depths, so that we could approach it closely for photographs!
We also encountered several Oceanic Manta Rays during the dive!
What a great way to wrap up five wonderful days of diving in the Socorro Islands!
Here are several of my favorite images from this final dive at Roca Partida:
Three photographs of the Whale Shark; and three shots of Oceanic Manta Rays.
Enjoy!
May 20, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Roca Partida (Continued):
Our early afternoon dive at Roca Partida was amazing!
The water was a relatively balmy 79Ā° F, with incredible 125’+ visibility, and mild current!
We spotted a large Whale Shark, which unfortunately remained too deep to approach closely.
However, there were numerous excellent encounters with several friendly and curious giant Oceanic Manta Rays, a large school of Bigeye Trevally, stacks of Whitetip Reef Sharks resting on the seamount, and several Yellowfin Tuna cruising by!
What a fun dive!
Here are several of my favorite images from this great dive at Roca Partida:
Two photos of dive guide Nico interacting with an Oceanic Manta Ray; a group of Whitetip Reef Sharks resting on the seamount; two shots of an Oceanic Manta Ray; schooling Bigeye Trevally with accompanying Oceanic Manta Rays; two images of dive guide Nico interacting with another Oceanic Manta Ray; and a final Oceanic Manta Ray shot.
Enjoy!
May 18, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Roca Partida (Continued):
Our late morning dive at Roca Partida was not as high voltage as the previous one, but still good!
Highlights included schooling Bigeye Trevally and Blue-And-Gold Snappers, occasional Oceanic Manta Rays and a large Yellowfin Tuna cruising by, and a Panamic Green Moray Eel and stacks of Socorro Spiny Lobsters on the seamount.
Here are several of my favorite images from this second dive at Roca Partida:
Schooling Bigeye Trevally; Schooling Bigeye Trevally with an Oceanic Manta Ray; a third photo of Schooling Bigeye Trevally; Panamic Green Moray Eel; Black Jack; three shots of Schooling Blue-And-Gold Snappers; Socorro Spiny Lobsters; and a Scrawled Filefish.
Enjoy!
May 13, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Roca Partida:
We spent the fifth, and final, dive day of our cruise at Roca Partida (“Split Rock”).
This small islet is the tip of a massive seamount, located in the middle of nowhere, about 80 miles WNW of Socorro Island.
It is a waypoint for pelagic megafauna, and is frequently the site for high voltage dives!
You never know what might cruise by during a dive at Roca Partida!
Our early morning dive in 79Ā° F water, with 100’+ visibility, and mild current, featured virtually non-stop Oceanic Manta Ray action!
There were also a few Bottlenose Dolphin around, spotted by other divers, but I didn’t encounter them.
Nonetheless, I experienced a great dive!
Here are several of my favorite Oceanic Manta Ray images from this first dive at Roca Partida.
Enjoy!
May 7, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Punta Tosca, Socorro Island (Finale):
We wrapped up our mellow fourth dive day with a mid afternoon dive at “Punta Tosca.”
Aside from a brief distant flyby made by an Oceanic Manta Ray, we once again encountered no other marine megafauna.
As before, I spent my dive shooting wide angle close ups, mainly of local reef fish.
Once everyone was back on board, we headed off to Roca Partida for the final dive day of our cruise.
We hoped for a return of “high voltage” diving once there, and we weren’t disappointed!
Here are several of my favorite images from our final dive at “Punta Tosca”:
Schooling Pacific Porgies; Forcepsfish; Chinese Trumpetfish; Socorro Spiny Lobster; Moorish Idol; a pair of female Redtail Triggerfish with Cleaner Wrasses; and a Clarion Angelfish.
Enjoy!
April 29, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Punta Tosca, Socorro Island (Continued):
We encountered no marine megafauna during our late morning dive at “Punta Tosca.”
The ocean conditions were great, with 79Ā° F water, no current, light surge, and 100′ visibility.
During this relaxing dive, I concentrated on taking reef fish portraits, utilizing wide angle close up technique.
Here are several of my favorite images from this second dive at “Punta Tosca”:
Sunset Wrasse (Terminal phase); Razor Surgeonfish; Moorish Idol; Socorro Spiny Lobster; Forcepsfish with a pair of Coral Hawkfish; Goldrim Surgeonfish; and a Bicolor Parrotfish with a Twospot Wrasse.
Enjoy!
April 24, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Punta Tosca, Socorro Island:
We remained at Socorro Island for the fourth dive day of the cruise.
“Punta Tosca” (Rough Point), located on the southwest side of Socorro Island, was the site for our three dives.
The dive site is presumably named for its series of rough hewn lava fingers, with a boulder-strewn sandy bottom in between.
Our early morning dive was in 79Ā° F water, with excellent 100’+ visibility, no current, and mild surge.
Three Bottlenose Dolphins briefly visited us at the beginning of the dive.
A couple of Oceanic Mantas cruised by out of camera range, but also didn’t hang around.
Otherwise, it was a slow and mellow dive, without much action, during which I practiced taking wide angle close up fish portraits.
Here are a few of my favorite images from our early morning dive at Punta Tosca:
Two photos of the Bottlenose Dolphins; Reef Cornetfish; and a Redtail Triggerfish.
Enjoy!
April 21, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island (Finale):
We wrapped up the third dive day of the cruise with an excellent late afternoon dive at “Cabo Pearce”!
A large Whale Shark greeted us, and cruised around the dive site at relatively shallow depths for most of the dive!
Based on its unique patterns of markings, when I compared photos of this Whale Shark, with those of the Whale Shark that we encountered two days earlier at “The Boiler,” located just off the northwest coast of San Benedicto Island, I realized that it was the same individual!
It had traveled 35 miles from San Benedicto Island, to Socorro Island, during those two days!
Pretty cool!
We also encountered several Oceanic Manta Rays during the dive, and were briefly visited by a pod of five or six Bottlenose Dolphins!
As we ascended to our safety stop near the shore, swimming nearby was the resident large school of Steel Pompano.
Here are several of my favorite images from this great dive at “Cabo Pearce”:
Whale Shark (with guest Jens); five additional shots of the Whale Shark; and an Oceanic Manta Ray
Enjoy!
April 17, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island (Continued):
Our early afternoon dive at “Cabo Pearce” was action packed and great!
We encountered at least four or five Oceanic Manta Rays, a pod of six or seven Bottlenose Dolphins, and occasional cruising Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks and Yellowfin Tuna!
Fun!
Here are several of my favorite images from this third dive at “Cabo Pearce”:
A pair of Bottlenose Dolphins; dive guide Nico with five Bottlenose Dolphins; two photos of Oceanic Manta Rays; dive guide Nico with an Oceanic Manta Ray; guest Laura with an Oceanic Manta Ray; and two more Oceanic Manta Ray shots.
Enjoy!
April 15, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island (Continued):
Our second dive at “Cabo Pearce” was very peaceful, with no current and unfortunately a paucity of marine life.
Occasional Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks and a Yellowfin Tuna cruised by, and a few Clarion Angelfish and a Mexican Hogfish were hanging around.
Lacking animal subjects, I photographed several of my fellow divers who graciously posed for me during the dive!
Here are sveral of my favorite images from our late morning dive at “Cabo Pearce”:
Clarion Angelfish; Marianna (Dive Guide); Mexican Hogfish & Clarion Angelfish; Sofia (Guest); Yellowfin Tuna; Clarion Angelfish; and Celina (Dive Guide).
Enjoy!
April 12, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Cabo Pearce, Socorro Island:
After finishing up our second dive day at San Benedicto Island, we cruised to Socorro Island, where we remained for the next two days.
Four dives at “Cabo Pearce,” (Cape Pearce) a dive site located just off the East coast of Socorro Island, occupied our third dive day.
This site comprises a downsloping submerged ridge, which is the underwater extension of a topside lava dike.
Cabo Pearce is a cleaning station, attracting marine megafauna such as Oceanic Manta Rays and various shark species, including occasional Whale Sharks!
Bottlenose Dolphins are also frequently encountered at this dive site!
Currents here can range from minimal to ripping!
Our early morning dive at “Cabo Pearce” was in 79Ā° F water, with minimal current and 75′ visibility.
It was a mellow dive, featuring several Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, one or two Oceanic Manta Rays, and a trio of Longfin Spadefish, a species rarely encountered in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and where it is considered invasive, but common, and normal, in the Western Pacific Ocean.
Here are several of my favorite images from our first dive at Cabo Pearce:
Three photos of the Longfin Spadefish; two shots of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks; an image of a fish which I can’t identify, at present, perhaps a Triggerfish? (Any ideas?); two photos of Oceanic Manta Rays; and a Black Jack.
Enjoy!
April 9, 2026:
Socorro Islands: Tres Hermanos, San Benedicto Island:
Our final dive of the second dive day of the cruise was a dusk drift dive in mild current at “Tres Hermanos,” a dive site located close to “El Canyon.”
During the dive, we drifted along a nondescript boulder-strewn slope, in 79Ā° F water, with 50′ visibility.
No marine megafauna were encountered during the dive.
Nonetheless, we did come across numerous smaller photographic subjects, enabling me to practice my wide angle close-up technique.
Here are several of my favorite images from our mellow dive at “Tres Hermanos”:
Redtail Triggerfish; Clarion Angelfish; Flag Cabrilla (a.k.a. Starry Grouper); a pair of Socorro Spiny Lobsters; Guineafowl Puffer (Black Phase); two Bluefin Trevally; Clarion Angelfish (Intermediate Stage); a trio of Goldrim Surgeonfish; and a pair of Clarion Angelfish with aggregating Pacific Creolefish.
Enjoy!
April 6, 2026:
Socorro Islands: El Canyon, San Benedicto Island (Finale):
We spent our mid-afternoon dive at “El Canyon” at the dive site’s cleaning station and along the adjacent wall.
We were treated to numerous close passes made by small groups of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks both cruising the wall and traversing the cleaning station, as well as many Silvertip Sharks and occasional Galapagos and Whitetip Reef Sharks swimming through the cleaning station!
It was quite an entertaining and enjoyable dive!
Here are several of my favorite images from this third dive at “El Canyon”:
Three photos of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks; Whitetip Reef Shark; Silvertip Shark; Galapagos & Silvertip Sharks; and two additional shots of Galapagos Sharks.
Enjoy!
April 5, 2026:
Socorro Islands: El Canyon, San Benedicto Island (Continued):
We returned to “El Canyon” for our late morning dive.
Our group began our dive along the wall located near the cleaning station.
There we encountered schooling Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks cruising just outside of photographic range, and an Oceanic Manta Ray that made a brief appearance.
I subsequently split off from the group and tried to find the cleaning station, which, unfortunately, I never located!
Oh well!
Along the way, I came across a Mexican Hogfish, several Barberfish and Clarion Angelfish, and a Chinese Trumpetfish.
Here are several of my favorite images from this second dive at “El Canyon”:
Mexican Hogfish; two photos of Clarion Angelfish; Oceanic Manta Ray; Barberfish; and a Chinese Trumpetfish.
Enjoy!
April 4, 2026:
Socorro Islands: El Canyon, San Benedicto Island:
We remained at San Benedicto Island for our second dive day.
“El Canyon” was the site for our first three dives of the day.
This is a cleaning station, located at a depth of 85′-90′, which attracts numerous shark species, as well as Oceanic Manta Rays.
The highlight of the dive occurred as were descending to the cleaning station, when we encountered a Tiger Shark that stayed around long enough for me to get a few photos at close range!
Once situated at the cleaning station, we were treated to a parade of several large Galapagos Sharks, multiple Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, some in small schools, and one or two Silvertip Sharks.
Unfortunately, the Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks remained just out of range for decent photos.
However, I had opportunities to photograph them later in the day.
At our safety stop at the end of the dive, three or four Bottlenose Dolphins and an Oceanic Manta Ray swam close by!
Here are several of my favorite images from our great early morning dive at “El Canyon”:
Two shots of the Tiger Shark; five photos of Galapagos Sharks; and a Silvertip Shark.
Enjoy!
April 3, 2026:
Socorro Islands: The Boiler, San Benedicto Island (Finale):
We rounded out our first dive day of the cruise with a mellow and quite fishy late afternoon dive at “The Boiler.”
Two or three Oceanic Manta Rays made a brief appearance towards the beginning of the dive.
Other highlights included schooling Cottonmouth Jacks and Pacific Creolefish, a cruising Galapagos Shark, a Chinese Trumpetfish, and hunting Bluefin Trevally.
It was a nice ending to an excellent dive day!
Here are several of my favorite images from this third dive at “The Boiler”:
Two photos of schooling Cottonmouth Jacks; Chinese Trumpetfish; a pair of hunting Bluefin Trevally; two shots of Oceanic Manta Rays; Schooling Cottonmouth Jacks and Pacific Creolefish; Galapagos Shark; and two additional images of schooling Cottonmouth Jacks.
March 31, 2026:
Socorro Islands: The Boiler, San Benedicto Island (Continued):
Our second dive at “The Boiler” was also excellent!
We interacted with at least four different Oceanic Manta Rays!
The Manta Ray encounters in the Socorro Islands are truly special, and in my experience, unique to the world!
The curious and highly intelligent Oceanic Manta Rays actively seek out divers and swim to them!
I believe that they actually recognize individual dive guides, with whom they have interacted literally hundreds of times, and preferentially seek them out!
The Mantas often hover just above a diver, and appear to enjoy the sensation of the diver’s bubbles bouncing off of their ventral surface!
It’s a truly amazing experience, one that I never get tired of!
During the dive we were also treated to a large Whale Shark that was cruising around the cleaning station!
In addition, there was a school of Cottonmouth Jacks, occasional cruising Whitetip Reef Sharks, and stacks of Lobsters hiding in the crevices of “The Boiler!”
Incredible!
Here are several of my favorite images from this great dive at The Boiler”:
Whale Shark; Oceanic Manta Ray; two photos of this Oceanic Manta Ray interacting with dive guide Felipe; Schooling Cottonmouth Jacks; Oceanic Manta Ray; Pelagic Stingray; Oceanic Manta Ray; stacks of Lobsters; and another Oceanic Manta Ray.
Enjoy!
March 28, 2026:
Socorro Islands: The Boiler, San Benedicto Island:
After spending four days in Cabo San Lucas, I boarded the Nautilus Explorer for the 250 mile, (30 hour), cruise to San Benedicto Island in the Socorro Islands (a.k.a. the Revillagigedo Archipelago).
Early the next morning, we began our diving with an uneventful ckeck out dive at a site called “Fondeadero” (“Anchorage”).
Then we moved to “The Boiler,” a dive site located off the northwest coast of San Benedicto Island, where we spent the remainder of the day.
The site comprises a massive submerged volcanic pinnacle, which rises from a depth of about 165′ to within 20′ of the ocean surface.
When current is running, which is often the case at “The Boiler,” the water is turbulent over the shallow top of pinnacle, giving the site it’s name.
This pinnacle serves as a cleaning station for large pelagic species such as Oceanic Manta Rays and several species of sharks.
We had an amazing mid-morning dive at “The Boiler!”
There was non-stop manta action, a brief visit by a pod of 7 Bottlenose Dolphins, schooling Cottonmouth Jacks, and cruising Galapagos and Whitetip Reef Sharks, in 79Ā° F water, with minimal current and 75’+ visibility!
Here are several of my favorite images from this first dive at “The Boiler”:
Three photos of Oceanic Manta Rays; schooling Cottonmouth Jacks; two additional shots of Oceanic Manta Rays; a not so great image of an Oceanic Manta Ray and seven Bottlenose Dolphins (if you look carefully); and an additional Oceanic Manta Ray photo.
Enjoy!
March 26, 2026:
Mexico 2026: Humpback Whales, Cabo San Lucas (Finale):
Before moving on to share images from the Socorro Islands (a.k.a. the Revillagigedo Archipelago), I’d like to share several images from my fourth, and final, morning of whale watching around Cabo San Lucas:
Humpback Whale Pectoral Fins (the whale is swimming on its back); Humpback Whale Fluke; two photos of individual Humpback Whales cruising; two shots of a Humpback Whale Breaching; two Humpback Whales cruising side-by-side; Humpback Whale Fluke; solitary Humpback Whale cruising; and another pair of Humpback Whales crusing side-by-side.
Enjoy!
March 21, 2026:
Mexico 2026: Humpback Whales, Cabo San Lucas (Continued):
The undisputed star of the show during my third morning of whale watching in the waters around Cabo San Lucas, was a Humpback Whale calf that was practicing breaching as its mother looked on nearby.
The calf put on a great show, repeatedly launching itself out of the water!
Here are several of my favorite images of this terrific display.
Enjoy!
March 20, 2026:
Mexico 2026: Humpback Whales, Cabo San Lucas (Continued):
Here are several more images from my second morning of whale watching around Cabo San Lucas:
Series of three photos of a Humpback Whale Breaching; Humpback Whale Fluke; four shot series of a Humpback Whale Breaching; another image of a Humpback Whale breaching.
Enjoy!
March 19, 2026:
Humpback Whales, Cabo San Lucas:
Each year, from November through April, large numbers of Humpback Whales gather in the waters of the Sea of Cortez and the Eastern Pacific Ocean around Cabo San Lucas, to give birth and to mate.
Consequently, I have scheduled my trips to Baja California Sur during these Winter months, in order to have the opportunity to observe and photograph the surface activities of the whales.
I spent four mornings out on the waters around Cabo San Lucas, in a “water taxi” ably operated by Captain Hector, looking for whales.
I was not disappointed!
There were many whales around, and a lot of surface activities!
Here are several Humpback Whale images from my first two mornings of whale watching:
Humpback Whale Breaching; Humpback Whale Fluke; Humpback Whale Spy Hopping; two Humpback Whales cruising; two more photos of Humpback Whale Flukes; a pair of “rowdy” male Humpback Whales going at it; and a shot of another Humpback Whale Fluke.
Enjoy!
March 18, 2026:
From January 18th through February 7th, I was in Mexico for a fabulous trip!
I spent a total of five days in and around Cabo San Lucas, located in Baja California Sur, and two weeks scuba diving in the Socorro Islands (a.k.a. The Revillagigedo Archipelago).
I plan to post selected images from this trip over the next few weeks.
Today, I’d like to start off by sharing several images of birds from in and around Cabo San Lucas:
A trio of Brandt’s Cormorants; Cactus Wren; Osprey; Gull; House Finch; a couple of photos of Brown Pelicans; House Sparrow; and a Snowy Egret.
Enjoy!
