Unfortunately this trip did not materialize.  The boat doing business as Aggressor parted ways with the aggressor fleet.  Luckily, that happened before anyone bought plane tickets.

Matt and Sheila have an appointment with Nautilus liveaboards at the suggestion of our friend and amazing photo pro – Kat Rose.  We’ll book something fun in Nov of 2024 and let everyone know about it on this list!

Socorro Liveaboard Dec 8th to 16th 2024

These dates for the Socorro liveaboard are confirmed and there are 13 cabins available total available, all our group.  The price is $3295 per person.  We are locking in a $400 per person discount with current Aggressor special.  Except for the single Master Stateroom (Room 9) at $4295 per person.  Singles have to pay 65% of the second space in the room.  I’m happy to help you find a room mate, but there are no gaurantees.  Ask me early if you want help with that,better odds, but your reservation is tentative unless you want to commit to the 65% of second space.

Drop Dead booking deadline

March 5th, 2024.  If you are going on this trip with this group you have to have the deposit to me by then.  See below on how to book.

Why Socorro?

I’ve been in long distance love with this place every since I saw some videos of it.  It is a pelagic divers heaven – mantas, whale sharks, pods of dolphins, hammerheads, mahi, tuna, marlin, schooling jacks and reef sharks, whales (though we are going more in the hammerhead/whale shark dates than we are whales dates).  Here is a video.

Okay, so that is why we are going.  Everyone that goes says it is incredible, and I haven’t been before.  And if you are joining the crew for the first time, you probably don’t know yet that the Island Divers Dive Travel program is pretty much where Matt and Sheila want to go diving.  Shannon can vouch for the fact that consistent harrassment for a specific location does pay off in the long run, right Shannon?

Where is Socorro exactly?

Good question, I didn’t know either.  Basically it is day boat ride south of Cabo San Lucas in Baja Mexico, that that is where you are going to have to go to get on the boat.  The diving is absolutely frigid in Cabo San Lucas.  Sheila and I did one at Dani and James wedding.  Sheila did one dive barely and I toughed out the second one.  But if you are planning on adding that on, bring the neoprene, and bring it heavy.

Trip Planning

Arrive in SJD (San Jose del Cabo) International Airport on Dec 7th and spend the night at Hotel Tesoro for pickup at 9am on the morning of the 8th.  So, that is where the pickup happens, you can really stay anywhere as long as you are in the lobby of that hotel on the 8th of December 2024.  Remember, if you are delayed, you are going to miss the boat.

You really need travel insurance for liveaboards, don’t screw around with that.  It is worth it, or at the very least get there a couple days in advance instead, so you have time to deal with worst case scenario.  (Trip Insurance also covers if we don’t get to dive due to weather, that could happen).

On the 16th after breakfast, we transfer to the airport.  It is a bit of a haul, they recommend flights after noon on the 16th of December, they can do earlier for an extra charge.

Bullshit Fees

Look, I hate this stuff as much as the next person.  I mean,” just put it in the price and handle it”.  However, I do not make the rules.

There is a $510 USD National Park Fee that is due, IN CASH ONLY, at the beginning of the trip.  Another $200 in fuel surcharge, as of April 1, 2022.  And is collected at the END of the trip.  At least this one they take credit cards.

Staterooms and Meals

Here is a link to the stateroom floor plan.  When you send me a $1000 per person deposit I’ll email you back and ask you what room you want from remaining options.  Good reason to book early, I’m sure the ones on the meal deck will go first.  Sheila and I are taking room 11.  Here is the link to the floorplan.  At the bottom of that page is also the link to a sample meal plan.  Looks tasty.  Note that you are allowed to bring a bottle of your favorite.  Since there are sea days on the way out and the way back…  Could be trouble.

It’s kinda chilly – maybe

Deserving of a section all its own so no one misses it.  The range reported is kinda small, 73F to 76F, which is just a couple degrees less than Hawaii, and the same during the summer months.  But that range is suspeciously narrow.  They say 5 to 7mm, which makes me think that it is colder, because 7mm is a lot of neoprene for 75F water.  Point is, this is not tropical and layering is probably going to be the best bet.  I’m probably going to bring my 3mm hooded vest that I normally dive in, plus a 3mm full suit.  Giving me 6mm core if I need it, with a hood.  In fact, this is the neoprene system that I recommend to anyone that wants my advice.  If you don’t like the hooded vest, then do what Sheila does – a 3mm beanie, a 3mm vest, and a 3mm full suit, she also travels with a rash gaurd.  That basically covers everything from bath water to Socorro on a cold day.

 

How to book a spot (or 2)

Make a check for $1000 per person to Dive Travel Services and send it to PO Box 30108 Honolulu HI 96820.  Email matt@islanddivershawaii.com and send me your phone number if you have long questions, so I can call you back.  I’m going to need it eventually anyway if you decide to come along.  The balance is going to be due 6 months prior, so beginning of June 2024.

 

Trip Insurance

So lots of things that probably won’t happen  – might happen.  Insurance is a gamble – usually you dont need it but when you do it really saves you.  Possibilities – you or someone you have to take care of gets hurt or sick, you miss a connection and miss the boat, the boat sinks or goes out of business or simply breaks down, your bags don’t show up.  I’m sure there are more but on a liveaboard it is kinda important to get the insurance – we do.  On a liveaboard the final payment is sometimes 6 months prior to departure, a lot can happen, worth it to insure.  Use this link to go through the process, price depends on where you live, quotes are free.