Underwater Photography Guide's 2013 Socorro Islands Underwater Photo Workshop

Join us from May 1st - 9th, 2013 to experience the best place in the world for mantas, sharks, dolphins and humpbacks, on the Rocio del Mar!

Led by world famous photo pro Todd Winner

Fly into Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Mexico for 9 days of amazing liveaboard diving in the beautiful Socorro Islands

Read the great reviews of the Rocio del Mar!

May 1st - 9th, 2013

$3,200

Special - two spots available for $2,880 (10% off)

Famous for friendly mantas

Many shark species, including pelagics

The largest ocean pelagic animals on the planet

Sail and dive in comfort on the incredible Rocio del Mar 

Expert underwater photo instruction daily 

Beginner photographers welcome!

Nitrox available for just $100 more

The Diving

These islands are a spectacular magnet for the largest ocean pelagic animals in the world. Schooling Hammerhead sharks, dolphins, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, clouds of jacks and barracuda, tuna, wahoo, marlin, oceanic white tips sharks, whale sharks and mantas.

The Mantas of Socorro

More than a half dozen Mantas frequent a pinnacle called the Boiler regularly. The Mantas here are the friendliest we have ever experienced, they seem to enjoy the presence of humans. This is truly an exceptional place if you wish to really experience the Manta Magic.

Trip Schedule

You can read a wonderful report of this trip here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/trips-local-marketplace-mexico/405185-socorro-liveaboard-rocio-del-mar-dec-7-2011-a.html

Daily Photo Workshops

Workshops will be given daily on topics such as wide-angle underwater photography, ambient light shots, snorkeling with large animals, strobe exposure and positions, avoiding backscatter, and composition. Help underwater is also given.

Flight Information

Trip attendees will fly in and out of Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Mexico (airport code SJD). Arriving flights should be made the day before the trip starts (April 30th), getting in after 1pm and before 6pm. Boarding starts at 4pm and dinner is at 7pm that night. 

We can help arrange shuttle transport from the airport to the boat for $20 per person. The shuttle will be there waiting for you at your arrival time.

Return flights should be made anytime on the last day of the trip. There will be a shuttle at the boat around 9-10am for transport to the airport, $20 per person. 

Conditions in May

May is the best time of year to experience the beautiful Socorro Islands! Water temperature will be around 80* F. Hammerheads, silky sharks, whale sharks, dolphins, schools of fish and more will be aplenty.

Deposit

A $600 deposit holds your spot.

Contact Information

Please e-mail Travis at travis@uwphotographyguide.com to sign up, or if you have any questions.

Accommodations

Here are the accommodations on the Rocio Del Mar liveaboard boat. These are the comfortable guest rooms, all of which include a private bathroom with hot showers, windows, carpet and air conditioning.

The Rocio del Mar.

Diver observes the glistening blue water and view from the boat's deck.

Reviews of the Rocio del Mar

"We went on the Rocio del Mar last August. It was a fabulous trip. We saw a sperm whale close up but no chance for a photo. However we spent 45 minutes with a whale shark who rubbed up on our panga several times!!!

We also saw thousands of dolphins with sperm whales. Got photos of seahorses, guitar fish, many rays. On the ship were numerous boobie birds just sitting on the rigging.

Dora and her crew are wonderful people and knowledgeable seamen! Rocio is a beautiful boat and the food with a chef was almost customized to each person. The only small place is the camera bench. The water temp was in the mid to high 70s, slightly cool.

We gave the trip a 10!!!"

Cheers, Max Reid and Mike Bacon

"The Rocio del Mar was built by divers for divers. The Sandovals built, own and run the ship, a 110 foot all steel vessel. On board, eight air conditioned cabins sport two single beds, while two others have full beds with a single bunk above. All have private bathrooms, full size windows, and plenty of storage.

The dining was excellent, with varied meals and lots of choices. There is a lounge in which to relax and watch movies or play back images from the day’s diving, and a large sundeck. The dive deck was well organized, with stations for each diver. Your gear gets set up once, and that’s it for the week. Diving is from two inflatables. The camera table was adequate; I preferred to work on my camera in my cabin.

The variety of experiences and photographic opportunities, both underwater and on the surface make for a great journey. The Rocio del Mar’s crew is fantastic, from the divemasters and skiff operators to the chef. I had the opportunity to dive with the Sandovals; they truly know, as divers, what divers want. I booked to go back on the Rocio del Mar within a few weeks of returning."

Marli Wakeling

"I have made several trips aboard the Rocio del Mar visiting both the Sea of Cortez and the Revillagigedo Islands. Here’s my take: Great boat. Great crew. Great food. Great diving. And a ton of fun! I don’t know what else one can say, except go."

Marty Snyderman 

See also:

Liveaboards in Socorro, Mexico

Rocio Del Mar Liveaboard, Mexico