Page 420 - Mexico Diving From the Caribbean to Pacific Isles
P. 420
T his is a splendid time to hear the sound the cooler water months. You can hear these T he isolation of the Revillagigedo Is-
of the singing mating male escorts un- gentle giants singing on almost every dive lands in the Pacific Ocean has favored
derwater. This destination can only be dived and as previously mentioned, underwater the radiation of many species making the
by a live aboard dive vessel. It takes ap- encounters with these whales are increas- islands a place of unparalleled endemism.
proximately 26 hours one way to reach the ing every year. There is really no best time Of 117 species of native plants, 31.6% are
islands. This is an excellent dive destination to dive these islands, the diving is unsur- endemic on Socorro island, 26% on Clarión,
for large pelagics due to the open ocean passed through-out the season. For divers and 45% on San Benedicto. All of the terres-
nature of the islands, which sometimes in- looking for adventure, wilderness diving trial vertebrates are endemic to the islands,
clude currents and choppy conditions. The and the opportunity to photograph or inter- as well as 14 out of 16 terrestrial birds. The
underwater topography consists of rocky act with some of the planet’s biggest crea- Revillagigedo Islands are considered as a
outcroppings, boulders and some walls. tures, these islands provide a diverse and priority area for conservation by IUCN. The
remarkable experience. Although the seas islands constitute one of the most impor-
T here is not much in the way of coral as surrounding the island are popular among tant nesting, breeding, and foraging sites
this is a cooler water destination. The scuba divers for their diverse ecosystem for four sea turtle species that are in need
crossing from Los Cabos San Lucas to the So- there are no tourism facilities that exist on of special protection: leatherback, olive rid-
corro Islands is open sea, please be prepared the islands. One factor that contributes to ley, hawksbill and the green sea turtles. Its
in case you are faced with rough seas. In case this is the fact that the islands have no relia- isolation from the continent makes Revilla-
you have a propensity to motion sickness ble source of fresh water. Visitors stay on ex- gigedo Islands one of the few ecosystems
or are concerned that you might develop pedition vessels when coming to the islands that have unique species of flora and fauna.
symptoms, please arm yourself with preven- to prevent the introduction of further inva-
tive measures beforehand. In late January, sive species. Expeditions from organizations
February, March and the beginning of April engaged in biological conservation of the
the humpback whales visit Socorro during islands visit for fieldwork on a regular basis.
