Posts Tagged ‘Roca Partida’
Saturday, May 5th, 2012
Boiler was the hot spot this last week, we spent two days at the canyon and it was ok, another two days at Roca partida and it was ok, but our last two days we decided to spend them at the Boiler and boom we got to the point where we had 4 someone said 5 different Mantas just hanging out with us. They just couldn’t get enough of us and the other way around. Awesome way to finish a trip.
Air temp.- 28-30C (85-90F)
Water Tem 23C (74F)
Vis.- Around 15-20mts (45-60)Ft
DM Joel IHO
—-
We had a start at the canyon which we ended up staying for the day we had mantas on the surface so we had an hour snorkel with the mantas as the silky, and Galapagos sharks surround us which was so cool to see that for the first day. Roca partida is the shark city with more than 5 different sharks we saw the 5 main ones which were hammerheads, silkys, Galapagos, silver tips, and white tips. We also saw a huge school of 40 to 50 lb tunas. For 2 days the visibility was about 60 to 80 ft and temp. 70-73 F. Last but not least was the manta city AKA The Boiler we had 2 days of full action non stop plus dolphin and the whales singing what a way to seal the trip it was just one of those trips that you have to do and see for yourself. Anyway, I will continue to keep you posted .
DM Juan
Tags: dive, explorer, Giant Mantas, manta city, Mantas, nautilus, Roca Partida, scuba, Sharks, silkys, Socorro, Tuna
Posted in Destinations, Giant Mantas, mexico, Nautilus Explorer, Revillagigedos, Socorro | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
Allein der Name Boiler fuer den Tauchplatz laesst schon viele Spekulationen zu. Diese wurden durch interaktives Tauchen mit Delphinen und vor allem durch die grosse Anzahl der Mantas bestaetigt und uebertroffen. Bei allen 4 Tauchgaengen waren diese an der Putzerstation anwesend und genossen sichtlich den Kontakt mit den Tauchern. Dass die von allen erwarteten Mantas auch noch von Delphinen, Weiss-Spitzenriffhaien und springenden Tunas ergaenzt wurden, konnte so nicht erwartet werden.
Dies macht Lust auf den naechsten Tauchplatz Roca Partida, der noch besser sein soll!!! Ich bin gespannt was uns dort erwarten wird.
Euer Schorsch.
Einfach genial so nah an den Tieren zu sein. Die Tiere sind entspannt und haben Freude an der Begegnung. Unvergesslich dieser Tag.
Toni
Um Mantas, diese phantastischen und majestaetisch dahingleitenden Tiere, hautnah, wieder und immer wieder erleben zu koennen , fuer den ist es ein Muss diesen entlegenen Top-Tauchplatz auf Socorro zu besuchen. Als Beigabe ziehen Weissspitzenhaie ihre Bahnen und als Dreingabe gibt es beim Auftauchen Begleitung von Delphinen.
Es wird mit Spannung der naechste Tauchplatz erwartet.
Erich J.
Tags: Roca Partida, Socorro, socorro island
Posted in Animals, Giant Mantas, Guest Blog, mexico, Nautilus Explorer, Revillagigedos, shark, Socorro | No Comments »
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Terceiro dia de mergulho! Vida muito dura Caimos quatro vezes em uma imensidao azul, repleta de vida! Golfinhos em transe, tubaroes de todos os tamanhos e tipos (galapenhos, silver, galha branca recifense, martelo) empilhados em cavernas e nadando com cavalas, atuns, xareus Para nos aliviar do trabalho duro, um passeio de barco ao redor da ilha, alguns intervalos de superficie na Jacuzzi com os cuidados e mimos da tripulacao! Para terminar bem o dia uma sessao de Yoga ao por do sol gracas ao professor Robin. Jantar com o mais novo brasileiro do barco. Jim: we love you!
Ate o final da viagem vamos declarar Revillagigedo territorio brasileiro!
Clarissa, Fabiana & Noelix, Brasil
DAY TWO AT ROCA PARTIDA
One of the true joys of this trip is being up early on the sun deck to watch the last of the night sky with brilliant stars, shootings stars and an occasion satellite overhead. Then the early chat of the birds on Roca Partida and the dawn which eventuates into another day and drifting in the deep blue realm of our hosts!
PS: I love the Brazilians too!
Jim Smith, Maine USA
We have had two fabulous days at Roca Partida. First of all the weather has been amazing with very little wind and lots of sunshine as well as very calm seas which is always good. Our dives yesterday had almost everything that this dive site has and started off with dolphins almost as soon as we dropped in. Some dolphins whizzed around whilst some merely hung head up, tail down and let people get very close. The other dives had lots of different sharks, schools of hammerheads, schools of Galapagos as well as Silver tips in the mix. This goes without even mentioning the white tip reef sharks that sleep stacked up on to op each other in the small overhangs on the East side ˆ sleeping seems to be their major past time! There was a vague attempt to count how many booby and frigate birds live on this rather inhospitable rock. The common consensus is about 267, more or less!! Our second day was great also with more morning dolphins as well as lots of sharks. Everyone is getting rather blasé about all this and if they have not run in to a school of hammerheads or frolicking dolphins say it was good at any other dive site elsewhere an average dive here would be rated virtually top of the best ever dive list! One more dive to do here and we are all expecting pods of dolphins swimming through schooling hammerheads with Silver tips and Galapagos sharks cruising around – why not?? It could happen!!
Belinda, Dive Master
Tags: dive, dolphins, liveaboard, Roca Partida, scuba, Socorro, socorro island
Posted in Giant Mantas, mexico, Nautilus Explorer, Revillagigedos, shark, Socorro | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Our first day diving at Roca Partida was excellent. Great visibility, good dives and lots of sunshine. We had dolphins on our first two dives of the day. I now believe that a dolphin who I have named Shorty because the tip of his right pectoral fin is missing, is definitely the ring leader of the whole pod. He is the first one to come visit the divers and the last one to leave. The dolphins here have a habit of hanging out deeper than the divers and trying to lure them down! If you stay at the same depth and don’t go deeper to visit them, then they realize their ploy is not working and will come up to swim around everyone, with the usual cheeky dolphin grins. Shorty is a master at this sport and once the game is up he swims past with a wicked glint in his eye, well that is my take on it anyway. Who knows what they are really thinking?! It is very unusual to see wild dolphins on dives so this type of interaction with them is truly amazing. We had happy divers all around.
There were the numerous sharks we see here which always makes for good dives too. The visibility on the dives we had for the first couple of days was not the best although we did see lots of mantas at the Boiler and everyone got the eye to eye contact with them that makes these islands such a spectacular place to see them. More dives still to do here, watch this space!! Water temp at Roca Partida 22C, at San Benedicto 24C
Belinda – Divemaster
Ein Super-Tauchtag! Haie satt und Delphine (fast) zum anfassen! Und dazwischen Wale an der Oberflaeche. Was will man mehr?
Tom
Tags: diving, giant manta, liveaboard, mexico, Roca Partida, scuba, Socorro
Posted in Giant Mantas, mexico, Nautilus Explorer, Revillagigedos, shark, Socorro | No Comments »
Friday, June 17th, 2011
Had a bit of a worry last week when the first tropical storm of the season went roaring through Socorro Island. The Nautilus ran for cover 2 days early and we spent the rest of the trip in the Sea of Cortez where the vis was down and the water was surprisingly green. Green?? What’s with that?? Green is supposed to be the emerald sea up in Alaska and British Columbia. On top of that, the manta sightings weren’t that great last week. You can imagine our worries. The Socorro dive season has always wrapped at the end of May. We have been operating at Socorro Island for many years and we were always in a hurry to get up to Alaska. But with the addition of the Nautilus Swell to service AK and BC, I started wondering just how late we could run trips out to Socorro. When does hurricane season really start?? What’s going on with the vis and water temp’s after May. Are the mantas still there?? We have seen schools of silky sharks and pilot whales in May. would June be even better?? After a considerable amount of statistical analysis and research, it became clear that hurricane season in the islas does not start until July. Only rarely does a tropical storm go through earlier than that. GREAT!! So I lengthened our schedule only to come face-to-face with tropical storm Adrian last week, green water and a lack of giant mantas. To describe my mental state as "worried" is an understatement!!!
Well, I am happy to report that Adrian zipped through with 60 knot winds and left us with beautiful diving conditions this week. visibility 100 feet plus. lots of giant mantas and all the other critters that we have come to appreciate in the islas including our favourite whale shark at Roca Partida. The seasonal change is happening. The water is really warming up and we are seeing some different species of animals including our first ever confirmed sighting of a big powerful dusky shark. The diving is great and we have the privilege of one more Socorro trip of the season after this. Happy diving.
Captain Mike
Tags: captain's blog, dolphin, giant manta, manta, Nautilus Explorer, Roca Partida, Socorro
Posted in Animals, dusky sharks, Giant Mantas, Revillagigedos, Roca Partida, Silky Sharks, Socorro, Socorro Island, Whalesharks | No Comments »
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
Whaleshark!
Conditions at Roca Partida were ideal for a perfect dive day at the Nautilus Explorer today. There was a very nice breeze coming from north, sunny day, 32C on the surface “Nice”, underwater the conditions where even better, visibility was extremely good 80ft, temp of the water 24C. Starting the dive with some silvertips and Galapagos, after we decided to start coming up a group of dolphins keep us entertain making our dive extremely good, but on the third dive first thing that we see is a good 7m whale shark been cleand by all the black jacks just going around the rock from south to north and making us all feel how small we are!
Great Day Thanks for reading.
Divemaster Joel
Surface: wind light, air temp 28-32C, skies clear
Diving conditions: water temp 24C, visibility 25m, current mild
Tags: divemaster blog, diving, mexico, Nautilus Explorer, Roca Partida, Socorro, Whale Shark
Posted in Animals, Giant Mantas, Whalesharks | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
First day at Roca Partida. We were very excited about this first dive since at Socorro Island, visibility was not so good. We jumped into the water and the first thing we spot is a bulky silver tip and a big lonely tuna surrounded by many jacks. Plenty of jacks and other fishes, pretty good visibility, and very very good vibrations. As soon as we reach the south end of Roca Partida, two bottle nose dolphins came around to welcome us, very friendly. Also a big Galapagos shark was around, a bit too deep though to see it clearly. We only missed the hammerheads in this first dive.
But to sum up, this is a great place for diving. Amazing life variety and shark seeing guaranteed. We hope this goes on for the next dives/days.
-Gabriel-
Dr. Maurizio Hoyes Padilla and I were the first two ready at the designated first dive time of 7:45AM and we entered the skiff with no other takers. We knew what lay ahead, the penultimate diving of the trip at Roca Partida.
Captain Gordon confirmed and launched us towards the North side of the bunny eared rock pinnacle, destined for the far cove which would start our dive at Roca Partida. As soon as we arrived, Gordo counted down and we back rolled into the blue. Tapping me head in positive confirmation, off we went. Dr. P had brought his tagging stick to attach tracking devices and he went seaward, away from the rock just a little. As my eyes followed him I saw just a few metres beyond him a large Yellow Fin Tuna passing by. Over a metre in length, the YFT dwarfed Dr. Padilla but was followed by a school of juveniles more equally matching his diminutive size. We headed CCW around the rock and I pushed on to the leeward rock ledge where we had such great success on our previous trip years before. As we rounded the corner a Galapagos Shark spied us and passed over the 110ft ledge in the same direction we were going. As we proceeded down the length of RP, a large Silvertip shark swam at us for a close up view.
Scott
Tags: bottlenose dolphin, fish, giant manta, Jacks, reef shark, Roca Partida, silver tip, Tuna, yellowfin tuna
Posted in Animals, Destinations, Galapagos Shark, Giant Mantas, Guest Blog, Hammerhead shark, Revillagigedos, Roca Partida, silvertip reef shark, Socorro, Tuna | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
After two great days of shark encounters at Roca Partida we traveled overnight last night 65 nautical miles to the largest of the Islas Revillagigedo, Socorro Island. Arriving here early this morning our first stop was the navy base at the south end of the island, where each trip we are boarded by the Mexican navy for a routine inspection to ensure all our paperwork is in order. After the inspection we headed to the west side of the island to our first divesite, Punta Tosca.
Weather conditions were great today as we anchored in the large sheltered bay created by the lava flow that is Pta Tosca. The water was a deep blue with great visibility as we jumped in for our first dive. Before long the first Giant Manta showed up, obviously in need of some human lovin’ as she circled in close visiting all the divers, giving everyone lots of attention. Then the second Manta arrived and it was manta heaven with some amazing interaction with the beautiful blue backdrop of the Pacific. Now, after a great dinner by chef Juan Carlos, we are just getting ready to jump in for our weekly silky snorkel. After dark is when we slip into the water off the stern to enjoy some adrenaline inducing and very close-up shark encounters and snorkelling as the 5-6 ft silkies zip around us. Tomorrow we’re heading to the east side of Socorro in search of more great Manta interaction and who knows what else! Remember there is still time to get in on some of this Manta lovin’ with us on our expedition departing June 22nd. Email us info@nautilusexplorer.com!
Captain Gordon Kipp
Surface conditions: Air temp 22-29C, winds light, skies mostly sunny with clouds in the morning and evening.
Diving conditions: Water temp 24C, visibility 15-25m, current slack to moderate
Tags: giant manta, manta, mexico, Nautilus Explorer, Revillagigedos, Roca Partida, silky sharks, Socorro
Posted in Animals, Captains Log, Destinations, Giant Mantas, Roca Partida, Silky Sharks, Socorro | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
We are dropping down at Roca Partida and started to watch at some silvertips and Galapagos shark , a hammerhead shark is making a nice pass we are occupied watching these beautiful animals and dont notice that Jim one of our diver have been screaming at us cause he has seen something a bit bigger. I just wondered , what does he find so interesting going that direction as it is good here , well well. We are still at the same area when I look at the corner and there appears an enormous head with a giant mouth that is the first we see and then comes the body and it appears to be a pregnant female whale shark in a size of probably 35-40 ft 11-12m wich is big. 6 Galapagos sharks are following her and strikes their bodies against her, for getting grid of parasites? or maybe trying to get one of the remoras, or seeing this giant as a rival? Mikko one of our guest and divers has very good film images of it that he has very kindly promised to share with us when we are back on land so you can see. The whale shark made 3 passes by us and she looked like a space shuttle with all Galapagos and black jacks being satellite ships around her the. Very very beautiful. I have seen many whale sharks all around the world, but not like when I see them her at the temple Roca Partida.
So first day was a whaleshark manta day, yesterday hammerhead day today giant whaleshark day so lets see what happens tomorrow…
Surface conditions. Windy and bit wavy , sunny temp 27 ca 80 F
Under water conditions viz from 50-120ft 15-40m temp 24-25C, Ca 75 F
Best Diveguide Sten Johansson
[E+V say hi to JJ&H] It had already been a great dive at Roca partida. We had just swum by a ledge with 4 sleeping small white-tip sharks, each about 3 feet long, with another shark about twice as big hovering around on top of them, keeping watch. We swam to the north end of Roca Partida and hung there watching all the little fish, the free-swimming morays, the lobster, and wondering if this was the home of all the trumpetfish in the world. They’re everywhere, and not just one or two at a time, like a rational dive site, but 10 or more at once. As I was musing about all this and just staring around, I heard a noise and looked off to my left. Oh, my. I expected bit. I expected impressive. I did not expect how utter beautiful and majestic a creature is a whale shark the size of a small bus. It was right there. I reached out and almost touched it. Even if I hadn’t remembered that I wasn’t supposed to touch it, I probably wouldn’t have. It was too regal. It had an entourage of jacks in a cloud surrounding it. It had two sharks, sharks that would have put to shame the 6-footer we’d seen mere minutes before, following along under its belly. I could see its spots as they merged to the white of its underbelly. I could see its muscles and contours. I wanted to touch it; I wanted to feel the reality of that peaceful, lovely animal. I wanted to thank it for sharing the ocean with me and honouring me with its near presence. But I just hung there and stared, in awe, as it slowly passed me by and continued its leisurely stroll around the island.
Victoria Gilbert, 9 May 2011
Tags: divemaster blog, Galapagos Shark, mexico, Revillagigedo Archipelago, Roca Partida, Socorro, Whale Shark
Posted in Animals, Destinations, Galapagos Shark, Guest Blog, mexico, Nautilus Explorer, Revillagigedos, Roca Partida, San Benedicto, scuba diver, Socorro, whales, Whalesharks, whitetip reef shark | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
19 april 2011 Roca Partida , Socorro islands , Revillagigedo , Pacific Ocean, Mexico
Same mother and calf humpback as last trip are visiting us!
And a Galapago sharks swallows a 5 ft green Moray eel in front of our masks!
Today we had two great dives with as well beautiful show of humpbacks breaching repeatedly all around the Nautilus Explorer. Going in the water I could recognise that it is the same mother and calf as we had around for 3 days on the last trip. Just at this time they where moving around much more but we got a few moments to see them in water. I wonder if she is the same mother from last year as well. I Will have to investigate photos from last year to find out.
The diving was great here. Lots of sharks, walls of Yellow Fin Tunas, several Galapagos and Hammerheads a bit out on what we call the hot spots that you have to learn to find out. If you are not in the hot spot you wont get so much of the bigger pelagic animals.
The most interesting observation today seeing a big galapagos shark swimming around with a big piece of a still moving tail of a 5 ft green Moray eel. The shark was followed by a very interested cousin Galapagos shark that wanted a share. It swallowed what was left of the Moray eel and swam off. Last dive was given a sight that few divers seen. The same mother and calf humpback whales came and paid a short visit. Not a bad way to end up a two week voyage!
The wind and the waves had been picked up that much that we decided to pack up and finish on the top of our diving trip. Not pushing Yamaya the Goddess of the seas by being eager when we have been given so much.
Surface conditions; Start was bit wavy , but ended up towards midday to be to big for a pleasant boarding on the boats. So we cancelled the last dive cause of safety.
Underwater conditions.
28-30 m Viz 60-100ft temp 24-25 ca 76 F Some current.
Dive guide Sten Johansson
Tags: Clipperton Atoll, Galapagos Shark, hammerhead, humback whale, Moray Eel, Nautilus Explorer, Roca Partida, silky shark, yellowfin tuna
Posted in Animals, Destinations, dolphin, Galapagos Shark, hammerhead, Hammerhead shark, Humpback Whale, Moray Eel, Roca Partida, whitetip reef shark | No Comments »
