SDOP 33
IT IS SAID the world is a smaller place these days. The Internet allows us instant connection with people and news half a planet away and affordable, convenient air travel means regions once remote and impossible are now within reach. However, happily there are still some frontier trips to be had and none more so than a dive expedition to the Revillagigedo Archipelago, far off the coast of Mexico.
The arch of Revillagigedo is part of an underwater volcanic structure called Las Montañas de los Matematicos. Some peaks reach the sea surface forming the four islands of Roca Partida, Socorro, San Benedicto and the even more remote Clarión. Together with the more famous island of Malpelo, the Cocos Islands and the Galápagos Islands, Revillagigedo delimits the marine area known as the Eastern Pacific Triangle.
Our adventure began at the port of Cabo San Lucas at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, itself rated as one of Mexico’ s top five holiday destinations. But we were heading further afield, away from mass tourism, away from the relentless march of buildings and people and cruise ships. Our crossing took an incredible 25 hours, showing just how off the grid this destination is. The time at sea can vary depending on weather conditions but, despite being in open ocean, we were blessed
We were heading further afield, away from mass tourism, away from the relentless march of buildings and people and cruise ships
03 A diver has a close encounter with a giant oceanic manta
04 Many other creatures are here, like this inquisitive turtle
05 Solmar V, luxury in a liveaboard with clear blue sky and calm seas. We could not believe the surface was mirror calm, broken only by leaping dolphins and the reflection of boobies flying around.
We were on the Solmar V, a luxurious liveaboard with all possible comforts. There is little to do on the crossing than relax, get to know your fellow travellers, organise your equipment and listen to the instructional briefings by the crew. All this wrapped around eating delicious food and snacks. Wave after wave, mile after mile, the bow of Solmar V ploughed the water of the Pacific Ocean 390 kilometres southwest-wards.
Thanks to the ocean currents and water masses channelled by the underwater mountain chains, an incredible hub of marine environments is created here. The underwater fauna is abundant indeed. This very special area was awarded marine protected area status in 1994. Additionally, much earlier, in 1957, the Mexican government had already set up a naval base on Socorro Island, forbidding all unauthorised people from landing.
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