Diving with Giant Mantas - Socorro, Mexico

I just returned from a dive trip to the Revillagigedos Islands (known also as Socorro Islands, after the largest island).  250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas (at the tip of the Baja Peninsula) and a 24 hour boat ride each way out into the Pacific Ocean, these islands are frequented by Giant Pacific Manta Rays, one of nature's most graceful creatures.  These magnificent pelagics have wingspreads of 15 feet or more, and spend their time cruising the open seas in search of plankton, just as whales do.  We saw dolphins and several species of sharks on this trip, too, but giant mantas were definitely the main attraction.  There's a short video I made of mantas HERE (use Back arrow to return to here). Or click HERE to see the entire photo gallery, with captions about the stuff we saw.

Mantas seem to like swimming through divers' bubbles!

Mantas are truly gentle giants, with no "weapons" (no teeth, stingers on their tails, etc.).    They also have no natural enemies, other than big sharks and - in recent years - Asian fishermen, who cut discs from their wings to sell as scallops.  This was my fifth trip to Socorro in the past 15 years, and it remains one of my favorite destinations!  Not only is it one nonstop flight away from Seattle to Cabo, but I never tire of swimming with mantas!