The Majesty Of Mantas

A Rare Gem

If you like your wildlife larger-than-life, then head to Mexico’s Revillagigedo archipelago, some 600km off the country’s Pacific coast. Getting to the islands of San Benedicto, Clarion, Roca Partida and Socorro might be hard – they’re a 24-hour journey from Cabo San Lucas - but for those who make the journey, they offer marine life in abundance that is rarely seen anywhere else on the planet. For what these islands lack in colourful reefs, they make up for with giant oceanic manta rays, resident pods of bottlenose dolphins, and the occasional mammoth-sized whale shark.

The Mexican Galapagos

From the seafloor to the surface, these protected waters are alive with a thriving ecosystem, offering divers the chance to observe how the oceans might have been 200 years ago. Manta Rays and pods of dolphins are often spotted eagerly greeting yachts as they enter the region, and divers are often accompanied by the friendly clicks and squeaks of these playful creatures as they explore. Humpback whale sightings are also common, and divers can watch them breach and roll between January and April each year. The area is also home to nine species of shark, including the majestic whale shark.