VORTEX I 2021 I 8 NIGHTS I SOCORRO I MEXICO

OUR BOAT

At 140 feet, this former Canadian Coast Guard vessel was built for adventure and hardcore worldwide expeditions. She is currently being redesigned to be the ultimate liveaboard experience for the discerning Diver and became available for liveaboard Cruising and Diving in 2018.

OUR CABINS

The Socorro Vortex will provide first-class, deluxe accommodations and cater to the most sophisticated and demanding Divers who have discerning tastes requiring gourmet dining and unmatched personalized service Socorro Vortex Cabin Details - The new Socorro Vortex will cater to 14 guests and offer first-class, deluxe accommodation. 4 of the Staterooms are easily converted to triple occupancy for family and friends with a maximum of 18 passengers. Guests will be able to choose from a brilliant selection including:- 2 Luxury Staterooms (2 Single Twins or 1 Queen bed), 2 Junior Suites (2 Single Twin or 1 King size bed), 1 Master Suite (California King size bed). Each room is equipped with a private head, sink and showers as well as TV/DVD player. Relax and sleep in luxurious comfort on the top quality “Pillow-Top” mattresses and down pillows. Even your feet will be happy burrowing in the brand new carpets standard in each room.

AMENITIES

The Socorro Vortex Liveaboard is air conditioned throughout and has truly luxurious, fantastic areas to lounge around, relax and chat to fellow Divers and their family and friends. The Salon / Bar area will be a great place to chill out in the evening before and after dinner.

The spacious Sundeck will be a place to chill out before and after everything you do onboard, whether contemplating the next dive, the last dive... or what you might have for Dinner. This is a good congregation area of the vessel. Things get even better, the Vortex offers a complimentary Bar whilst you use the complimentary High Speed Internet and WiFi. There is also a Helipad and there will be a Submarine Capability for getting an even deeper aquatic experience.

The self propelled cage can fit a pilot in the back, and a diver/camera man in the front and has a cruising speed of 5 knots, that will allow us to take our guests in a completely different great white experience. Its speed of 5 knots allows you to keep up with the pace of a great white, which would be impossible when swimming or diving. Both the pilot and the diver wear full face masks keeping communication between themselves and also with the boat. 

The SPOC’s buoyancy is slightly positive, so in case of propulsion malfunction the cage remains on the surface waiting for pickup. Limited to 3x 45min immersions per day. The SPOC can be chartered privately for a full trip, or hourly without previous reservation. However, Prepaid Reservations will guarantee guests this experience of a lifetime!

FOOD ON BOARD

Dining will be either in the air conditioned Dining Room or the Sky Bridge Bar & Grill Area. Chef will use his many talents to provide tasty food all day long with a mix of creative cuisine with International Cuisine. Meals will be a mixture of buffet style and table service with lots of fruit, snacks, appetizers and even an on-deck barbeque. There is also gourmet dining with a complimentary selection of the best Baja California beer and wine. Water, tea, coffee, juices, snacks between meals and after dives, soft drinks, local beer & wine are all included.

DIVING WITH US

Socorro a group of four, volcanic, islands located in the pacific ocean off the coast of the southern tip of Baja California. This is a paradise for many large Pelagic species, including Hammerheads, Silky, Silver Tip and White Tips, Humpback Whales and Dolphins. It is also known for the many large Manta Rays which inhabit this area. Socorro diving area is not a coral reef, but once you spot the spectacular marine wildlife you won't be able to focus on much else anyway! With such incredible dive encounters with marine mega fauna in a remote and rich underwater environment, it is obvious why Socorro and its neighbours are sometimes called 'The Galapagos of Mexico'.

JUNIOR SUITE 2 TWIN BEDS OR 1 KING SIZE BED CABIN

Junior Suite 2 twins or 1 king size bed cabin, air conditioning and en-suite facilities. Images are computer generated and will be replaced soon with exact photos of the cabin, the photo is based on the master suite. Cabins will have high quality linen, towels and bathrobes for your added comfort.

• Size: - Beds: 1 king or 2 twin beds
• Max occupancy: 2
• Shareable: Yes
• Private bathroom: Yes
• Air Conditioning: Yes

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LUXURY STATEROOMS 2 SINGLE BEDS OR QUEEN BED CABIN

Luxury staterooms 2 singles or queen bed cabin, air conditioning and en-suite facilities. Images are computer generated and will be replaced soon with exact photos of the cabin, the photo is based on the master suite. Cabins will have high quality linen, towels and bathrobes for your added comfort.

• Size: -
• Beds: 1 queen bed or 2 twin beds
• Max occupancy: 2
• Shareable: Yes
• Private bathroom: Yes
• Air Conditioning: Yes

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MASTER SUITE KING SIZE BED CABIN

Master Suite King size bed Cabin, air conditioning and en-suite facilities. Images are computer generated and will be replaced soon with exact photos of the cabin, the photo is based on the master suite. Cabins will have high quality linen, towels and bathrobes for your added comfort.

• Size: -
• Beds: 1 King
• Max occupancy: 2
• Shareable: No
• Private bathroom: Yes
• Air Conditioning: Yes

MOST RELEVANT INFORMATION

• The trip begins and ends in Cabo San Lucas
• The closest airport is Los Cabos
• Hotel pickup time is around 10:00 from Meeting point and only pickup-place is the Hampton Inn San Diego-Downtown.

EMBARKATION AND DEPARTURE

• The trip begins in Cabo San Lucas and ends in Cabo San Lucas
• The closest airport is Cabo San Lucas International Airport (None). Please arrive there not later than 15:00 of the first day. If you arrive later than 15:00 at SJD you need to make your own way to the Vortex at the Cabo San Lucas Marina
• Hotel pickup ONLY from Bahia Hotel & Beach House between 17:45 and 18:00 on trip departure date.
• You will receive exact meeting point instructions closer to the trip date directly from the Liveaboard
• If the operator has arranged your pre-paid transportation, you will be met by a representative from Cabo Seasons, a preferred local transport company, outside and immediately in front of the airport.
• Check in on the boat is between 18:00 and 19:30.
• The boat departs Cabo San Lucas at around 20:00 on the same day
• All voltage aboard the Vortex is 110, just like the U.S and there are also have several 220 outlets for European guests
• Accepted payment methods on board: Cash, Traveller checks
• DIN/INT adaptors are available on board
• You must bring all biodegradable toiletries and hair dryers with you

ARRIVAL AND DISEMBARKATION

• Your last dives will be on the second to last day in the morning
• It is your responsibility to ensure you respect the 24 hour no-fly time after your last dive!
• The boat docks back in Cabo San Lucas in the evening on the second to last day
• Check out and disembarkation is between 08:00 and 09:00 on the last day.
• You can make your own way to the airport/local hotel or join the boat transfer for an additional fee

EXTRA INFORMATION

• We strongly recommend you fly in at least one day prior to your Socorro Vortex departure. 
• Athough the staterooms are comfortable, there is limited storage space so pack light. We suggest packing a soft duffle bag for easy luggage storing
• After you have cleared the Customs area with your luggage, simply walk straight to the Authorized Taxi Booth (where you can book either a private taxi or the Authorized Airport Shuttle) or out the door to your pre-arranged transportation
• There is no equipment on the boat. If you need any rental gear you must pre-arrange it
• The ocean temps at Socorro usually range from 78F-82F in November, 70F-74F in Feb/March and then 76F–80F in April to June. We’d recommend 5mm in the warmer months, and a 5/7mm or a 7mm in the cooler months. Some guests also pack a light vest and hood or a vest with an attached hood in case of thermoclines during the cooler months
• After checkout the crew will arrange taxis or you can use your prearranged and prepaid transfer
• Even though a dayroom is not available you are welcome to use facilities at the Solmar Resort if you depart later in the day
• If Vortex has arranged your pre-paid airport transportation, you will be met, outside and immediately in front of the airport You will receive exact meeting point instructions closer to the trip date directly from the Liveaboard Hotel pickup ONLY from Bahia Hotel & Beach House between 17:45pm and 18:00pm on trip departure date. 
• Pelagic Fleet Reservations can arrange pre-paid airport transfers for you ; must be pre-bookeed at least 10 day before the departure of the trip

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Socorro a group of four, volcanic, islands located in the Pacific ocean off the coast of the southern tip of Baja California
• This is a paradise for many large species of pelagic species, such as many species of sharks including hammerheads, silky, silver tip and white tips, Humpback whales, dolphins and they are also especially known for the many large Manta Rays which inhabit this area.
• Socorro diving area is not a coral reef, so do not expect bright colours everywhere, but once you spot the spectacular marine wildlife you won't be able to focus on much else anyway
• Considering such incredible diving encounters with marine megafauna in a remote and rich underwater environment, it is obvious why Socorro and its neighbors are sometimes called 'The Galapagos of Mexico'.
• Strong currents and big waves, and most dive spots are quite deep
• The visibility depends on the plankton in the water, but in general the visibility is great.
• Expert dive guides on board

Socorro Islands Itinerary (9 Days Trip Example)

• Pre-Trip: Fly to Cabo San Lucas (Airport Code SJD, San Jose del Cabo)
• DAY 1: Embark / Crossing (25 hours)
• DAY 2: Checkup dive at San Benedicto
• DAY 3: Four dives in San Benedicto
• DAY 4: Three dives in Roca Partida
• DAY 5: Three dives in Roca Partida
• DAY 6: Four dives in Socorro
• DAY 7: Four dives in San Benedicto
• DAY 8: Crossing (25 hours) / Arrive back Marina in the late evening
• DAY 9: Disembark/Check-out Liveaboard by 9:00 am

The itinerary

• The Revillagigedos Archipelago, more commonly called Socorro Islands is located in the eastern Pacific Ocean approximately 250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – at the tip of the Baja peninsula.
• The Revillagigedos Islands consist of 4 islands – San Benedicto Island, Socorro Island, Roca Partida and Clarion. They are wild, remote and unpredictable and have been called the Mexican Galapagos.
• This area is famous for up close and personal encounters with the Giant Pacific manta ray, which can grow to 22 feet from wingtip to wingtip.
• We’ve been interacting with these gentle giants since 1992 and as a result of having worked with several manta researchers over the years, we have extensive ID’s on most of them and special relationships with many of them.
• We absolutely do not chase or ride the mantas, and we allow our interaction with them to be initiated by the mantas themselves.
• We believe that their continued willingness to interact with divers is due to the respect we have shown for them over the years.
• San Benedicto is one of the best locations in the world to experience and photograph these gentle giants. The feeling of a wild animal this large deliberately interacting with you is something you will never forget.
• There are lots of sharks in the Revillagigedos Islands - hammerhead schools, white tips, silver tips, silkies, threshers, galapagos and occasionally tigers.
• We have encountered up to 7 species of sharks on a single dive! There are several hammerhead cleaning stations that we visit each trip, weather permitting.
• Whale sharks are a special treat at the islands, they find us in November/December and late April/May/June.
• We also encounter pods of wild bottlenose dolphin on a regular basis and from January through March, in these islands you can spot Humpback whales, that come here to breed and calve. We have observed several newborn humpbacks in the years we’ve been fortunate enough to visit these remote and pristine islands.
• The scientists who visit the Revillagigedos Islands every year to study the migrating whale population tells that after 22 years of encountering, the humpbacks now recognize our vessel as a friendly, non-threatening entity and so the opportunity for underwater encounters improves.
• Add to the mix extremely playful dolphins on almost all trips, large tuna (the world record yellowfin is from these waters), wahoo, thick schools of jacks and many other big critters along with endemic tropicals found nowhere else in the world

INCLUDED

• Full board, including water, tea, coffee, juices, snacks between meals and after dives, soft drinks, local beer & wine
• Dive guides
• Nitrox
• Wifi
• Transfer from Host Hotel to the boat on arrival and departure day
• Harbour fees
• Fuel surcharges

NOT INCLUDED

• Hyperbaric chamber contribution: USD 15 (per trip)
• National Park fees: 1500 MXN (per diving day)
• Fins, mask, snorkel (ABC): 10 USD (per day/person)
• Wetsuit: 10 USD (per day/person)
• BCD: 10 USD (per day/person)
• Regulator: 10 USD (per day/person)
• PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox): USD 195 (per course)
• Satellite phone call (per minute): USD 5 (per activity)
• Transfer from/to local hotels (round-trip)
• Transfer to/from the airport (round-trip)
• Tips for the crew

CANCELLATION POLICY

What if I need to cancel my booking?

Your reservation request is obligation free and you can cancel anytime within the first 72 hours. During this time you can easily find matching flights and get answers from our reservations team to any further questions you may have.

After you have confirmed and paid for your reservation, the following cancellation policy applies:

• 30% deposit will not be refunded
• 50% will be charged if you cancel between 90 and 61 days prior to arrival
• 100% will be charged if you cancel less than 61 days prior to arrival

In case of cancellation the refund will be transferred to your bank account, credit card or paypal account within 10 business days

BEFORE TRAVELLING

• Make sure you meet the country's requirements corresponding to your nationality make sure your passport is valid at least six months after the date you plan to visit the country
• Diving insurance is mandatory for divers of all ages on all of our trips: bring your certificate as proof
• It is strongly recommended to have travel insurance that is appropriate for the type of diving holidays you are going to do
• Check the electrical standards (such as which plugs are used) in your destination country before travelling and bring the appropriate adaptor if necessary.
• The itinerary and the number of dives are indicative and are subject to weather conditions and conditions: safety is always first
• All divers must provide their diving certification card
• Diving computers are compulsory
• Local rates, fuel surcharges, distance rates, port fees, etc. may change without notice due to changes in government policy, changes in the price of oil, etc.
• The changes are beyond our control and the increases must be paid if the boat requests them. We will endeavor to inform you of any changes as soon as possible. A change in these rates does not entitle you to cancel the trip.