Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Jan–Apr · Strong current · 21–29°C (coldest Jan, warmest Jul)
- Current
- Strong
- Water temperature
- 21–29°C (coldest Jan, warmest Jul)
- Experience
- Most operators require Advanced Open Water certification plus 50+ logged dives, given strong currents and deep, open-ocean pinnacle dives.
01 · Marine life
What you may see
Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | peak season |
| February | peak season |
| March | peak season |
| April | occasional |
| May | not seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | not seen |
| December | not seen |
Whale song is heard on dives more often than whales are seen at close range.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident year-round at cleaning stations like The Boiler and Cabo Pearce: one of the most reliable giant oceanic manta encounters anywhere.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Pods very often approach and stay with divers for extended periods: one of the most reliable dolphin encounters in the region.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | destination closed |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident and reliably found stacked/resting in the same caves and ledges on almost any visit.
See all 8 species
02 · Dive sites
Dive sites worth knowing
A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.
Cabo Pearce
A long, finger-like rock formation on the east side of Socorro Island, sheltering a calm cove that dive tenders launch from.
5–30m · Strong current
Roca Partida
A near-vertical pinnacle rising from over 50m of open ocean, roughly 40km from Socorro Island itself: the most remote of the Revillagigedo dive sites.
5–50m · Strong current
The Boiler
A football-field-sized guyot on the northwest coast of San Benedicto Island, rising from about 35m to within a few meters of the surface.
6–35m · Strong current
See all 4 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsDemanding. Fly to SJD. Typical trip $$–$$$.
Route overview
Demanding
Liveaboard only, with a 26h open-ocean crossing to reach the diving.
Airport options
SJD
Los Cabos International Airport (San Jose del Cabo)
Direct international flights; liveaboards depart from San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas after a 24-hour open-ocean crossing to the islands
Typical trip cost
$$–$$$
$2,000–4,000 to over $4,000
Per person, excluding international flights.
- Roughly $2,955-3,935 per person for 8-11 nights on most operators, up to $5,729 on longer premium trips.
- No land-based or budget alternative exists: this is a liveaboard-only destination.
Permit or park fee
What you pay
about $1,170 for a typical six-diving-day trip, charged on top of the liveaboard fare. Fees have risen sharply and are pesos-denominated, so confirm the current amount at booking.
How it works
Diving is restricted to a limited number of licensed liveaboards operating within Revillagigedo Archipelago National Park (established 2017); independent or non-liveaboard access is not permitted.