Socorro Vortex

Once our guests arrive on the boat they will be assigned their room and dive station. They will then remove their dive gear from their dive bags and put it in their assigned dive station. They will also unpack their dry clothes and toiletries in their rooms. Both their dive bag and luggage will be stored in our dry storage area throughout the remainder of the trip. The boat departs harbor at 7:00PM.

The boat will arrive at the first dive site around 4:00PM on the next day, and our guests will have the opportunity to do 1 or 2 dives the first day at the Socorro Islands. Every day after that we schedule 4 dives per day. The only exception to that is when we dive Roca Partida because the diving at this location is deeper and, therefore, we limit the diving to 3 dives for safety considerations. We cannot give you a more specific diving schedule because the captain goes where diving conditions are best, but under normal conditions each 9 to 11 day trip includes 5 to 7 1/2 days of diving and the opportunity to do about 20-22 to 27-29 dives. After the last full day of diving at the Socorro Islands and after the last dive of the day we start our return back to harbor. The boat returns to harbor around 8:00PM or 9:00PM and our guests will spend their last night on the boat in harbor.

After breakfast on the last date of the trip, our guests will disembark the boat by no later than 9:00AM. If their flights depart in the morning or early afternoon, then our guests will go directly from the boat to the airport and our representative in Cabo San Lucas will help them procure transportation paid via cash then. If their flights depart in the mid to late afternoon then they can be transported to our host hotel, The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, at no additional charge. The Bahia Hotel & Beach House welcome our guests to relax and use their facilities free of charge, provided they purchase food and beverage during their time there. The concierge at the hotel will help to procure paid transportation from the hotel to the airport when the time arrives for their departure.

The international airport for our home port in Cabo San Lucas where our Socorro Islands trips depart from is San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (airport code SJD). This is the same airport used by all visitors to the Los Cabos area. It is about a 45 minute drive from the airport to Cabo San Lucas. Most major U.S. airlines fly directly into this airport. In general, the airlines to check out are Alaska, American, Aero Mexico, Delta, Continental, United and Southwest Airlines. There are other airlines and many direct flights from gateway cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago and New York (out of Newark on Continental) so you can start from anywhere and get to us quite easily through these gateway cities. There are also convenient connections through San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, to name just a few.

* for the comfort of our european guests, tui airlines just started the first non-stop flight from frankfurt to cabo.

As of January 2016, all U.S. citizens require a valid passport for travel in and out of Mexico. You will be asked to fill out a tourist card upon entering the country and present this to the immigration officials in Mexico. For other nationalities, you should ask your airline or call the Mexican Consulate in your country. With so many recent changes to travel policies and requirements, these requirements are subject to change so check before you begin your travel plans. For our Guadalupe Trips you will arrive to San Diego, California and then escorted by our staff in an air conditioned coach to Ensenada, Mexico via Tijuana. Our staff will assist you with your tourist visa when crossing at the border in Tijuana but you must have a valid passport in your possession.

Upon reservation confirmation, we will send you a pre-trip information sheet. If you do not receive it, please ask us for it. This will describe arrival procedures. Basically, for the Socorro Islands arrivals into San Jose Del Cabo airport, once you clear Mexican immigration and collect your bags from the luggage carousel, you will proceed through customs. After clearing customs, if our office has arranged for your pre-paid transportation in advance, then just outside the terminal please look for a representative holding a sign which reads “Cabo Seasons”, our local transport company. Give that person your name and they will take it from there. If you are handling your own transportation into Cabo San Lucas, then look for the “Authorized Taxi” sign inside the terminal where you can purchase shuttle tickets to the hotel where you are staying. If you are arriving the same day the boat departs you MUST arrange pre-paid transportation through our office in advance. However, we strongly advise you arrive one day before departure. It is about a 45 minute ride into Cabo San Lucas. On the day of departure, we provide complimentary pick-up at The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, our Host Hotel. We ask that you be in the lobby at 5:00 pm for pick-up between 4:45 pm and 5:00 pm. Alternatively, you can make your own way to the Marina and will be met by a Pelagic Fleet Representative at 5:00 pm. The Vortex departs port NO LATER than 7:00 PM, so please be sure to abide by the times above for a seamless and timely check-in experience for all passengers.

Socorro Vortex is a 140ft Canadian Coast Guard Vessel built for adventure and world-wide hardcore expeditions for the discerning diver, with all the state of the art technology and amenities you would expect from a luxury liveaboard. Our Master Suite has 1 California King Size Bed, our two Junior Suites have either 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds, and our four Luxury Staterooms have either 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds (two of our Luxury Staterooms have 2 Single Beds Only). All cabins feature TV, air conditioning with individual controls, a private bathroom, sink and shower plus top-of-the-line mattresses, pillows and comforters.

Dive Insurance is mandatory for all trips to Socorro Islands and you will be asked to show proof of Insurance prior to the trip. On Guadalupe Island trips, Dive Insurance is required to dive in the submersible cage. For all travelers, we strongly recommend Travel Insurance. For your convenience, several options are provided here for you: Disclosure: These links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Socorro Islands Trips are recommended for divers with a minimum of 50 logged dives. And for Socorro Vortex, we also recommend that all guests are reasonably fit that they can embark and disembark onto pangas from liveaboard (without gear) for safety concerns.
If guests with less than 50 logged dives would still like to join our Socorro Island Trips, there is always the option for a Private Dive Guide, pending availability (please inquire with our reservations & sales team). And as always, it is at the Captain and Crew’s discretion to reserve the right to refuse any guest to participate in certain dives that may be beyond the experience level required.

On all live-aboard dive trips, packed clothing should be kept to a minimum as cabin space is usually limited. You will be in your swimsuit most of the trip and shorts and t-shirts are the common dress. We ask that you appear at all meals in dry clothes, as all meals are sit-down in the main salon. At Socorro, daytime temps will be in the 70’s or 80’s and we can have cooler evenings here so one pair of sweat pants, and a Polartec, sweatshirt or sweater is a good idea. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

The price includes tanks (aluminum 80’s), weights and a weight belt. We now require but do not provide dive computers on our Socorro Islands trips. Additional equipment can be rented for the trip BEFORE you leave the dock. PLEASE advise us when making your Vortex reservation that you will need to rent equipment. Equipment is rented directly from us at our dive store in the town of Cabo San Lucas at a special rate. National Park regulations do not permit dive knives or lights that are not attached to your camera. We have some extra equipment on board in case your equipment should fail but not a large inventory. This equipment is rented on a daily basis when needed. Underwater photography or video equipment is not available at this time and you should be completely self-contained when it comes to this equipment. Rule of thumb when packing is to pack light but keep in mind that “it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”

The ocean temps at Socorro usually range from 78F-82F in November, 70F-74F in Feb/March and then 76F–80F in April to June. Depending on what time of year you join us for the Socorro trips, we’d recommend 5mm in the warmer months, and a 5/7mm or a 7mm in the cooler months. Some of our guests also pack a light vest and hood or a vest with an attached hood in case we run into thermoclines during the cooler months.

Our state-of-the-art Nitrox membrane system fills to 32-34%, and is complimentary to all customers. Socorro Vortex is a NITROX ONLY vessel for the comfort and safety of our customers. Proof of Nitrox certification is required.
If you are not currently Nitrox certified, we offer Nitrox Certification on board at $235.00 (USD) per person.

Since we are not a travel agency, we cannot book general hotel rooms. As of 2018, our host hotel is The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, where we have pre-negotiated special discounted rates for our liveaboard guests. Please note that we will send the host hotel reservation link, together with your liveaboard reservation confirmation. Also, should you prefer to not book at our host hotel, be sure to book your hotel in Cabo San Lucas not San Jose del Cabo. The entire area is now called Los Cabos. Because Vortex is docked in the marina in Cabo San Lucas, a hotel in Cabo San Lucas is preferred.

We must be doing something right because we get consistent rave reviews for the gourmet cuisine aboard Vortex. Our menus vary and feature a combination of American and Mexican cuisine, using fresh, locally grown ingredients as much as possible. We offer a variety of cooked-to-order choices for breakfast and you can always count on fresh tropical fruit platters, icy cold fruit juice, yogurt, pastries, an assortment of cereals, teas and fresh-brewed and very strong, Mexican-style coffee. Vortex is one of the few luxury live-aboards that serves a three-course meal for lunch. Our’s always begins with a fresh, homemade soup (our chef, Tony, is famous for his soups!), followed by a main course and then a delicious dessert. After an afternoon snack and cocktails (watch out for the margaritas!), you’ll be ready for your relaxing dinner aboard Vortex. We begin with a fresh salad, then either chicken or fresh fish or beef, always a fresh vegetable or two followed by another decadent dessert. All beverages, including beer and wine with your meals, are included. Since alcohol and diving don’t mix, be prepared to snorkel for the remainder of the day if you choose to drink alcohol before dive ops have closed for the day. Our chef prepares delicious snacks in the mornings and afternoons and especially takes pride in his fresh, Mexican-style hot chocolate. We always have available fresh fruit, cold fruit juices, sodas, fresh-brewed coffee, and both hot tea and iced tea. We can easily accommodate any special requests such as food allergies, a vegetarian menu, heavy on the fresh salads, etc if you inform us of your needs at least two weeks before your trip. We understand that a live aboard experience is eat-sleep-and-dive and we do our very best to ensure that each of these experiences aboard Vortex is memorable for you.

Although we discourage smoking for reasons we’re all aware of at this point, we understand that some guests are still wrestling with it, so we allow smoking on the sundeck only. We ask that our smoking guests be considerate of our non-smoking guests. You’re outnumbered!

We ask for a local chamber donation of $15.00 USD, payable on board in cash only. The following is a list of other expenses you may want to factor into your planning:
Rental Gear, Nitrox, Nitrox Course – Cash or Credit Card
Gratuity – Cash only
Souvenirs – Cash or Credit Card
Credit Cards are charged in Mexican currency peso; Cash accepted is USD and pesos.

While we feel that gratuity is a very personal decision and should reflect the level of service you receive, we are often asked to provide guidelines. Your Captain and Crew are extremely hardworking and committed to providing you the best service possible. Gratuity of 10-15% the published rate of your trip is customary and deeply appreciated, and is accepted in Cash only.

Yes, we accept credit cards on board: Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover Card. If you pay via credit card, please note it will be charged in the Mexican currency, Pesos.

The general exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Mexican peso varies greatly. In May 2017 the average was about 19.5 pesos to the Dollar but please check online at one of the many currency exchange websites such as http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/

Onboard voltage is 110 AC, just like in the United States. We also have a number of 220 charging stations for our overseas guests.

The crossing to and from Socorro (The Revillagigedos Islands) from Cabo San Lucas takes about 22-24 hours, depending on weather conditions. Although most of the crossings are in fairly calm seas, we are crossing in open ocean conditions so precaution against motion sickness is advised. We have sometimes experienced rough seas heading uphill from Socorro to Cabo.

The Vortex communicates twice daily with either our Mexican home base or U.S. Office by Satellite Phone. Although we discourage conducting business while out on your Vortex expedition, we realize that sometimes it is necessary to communicate with your office or home. Guests are welcome to use our phone system and will be assisted by our captain. Your call will be charged at Satellite minute rates ranging from $4 – $5 U.S. dollars per minute. Remember our phone and email system is primarily for boat operations and emergency use. We encourage our guests to detach and enjoy this adventure of a lifetime by leaving your worries at home.

Included in the price of your Socorro Islands trip are all port fees and fuel surcharges. Also included are: complimentary transfer from the Host Hotel to the Vortex on day of departure, your accommodations, all meals and snacks, all beverages including beer and wine, a certified divemaster in the water at all times, tanks, weights, weight belts and air fills.

Gratuities and National Park fees are not included.

Our crew is our strength and we consider them all family. The Vortex crew has worked together for many, many years and each crew member contributes something unique and necessary to your trip. We have a permanent crew of 10 that consists of captain, engineer, chef, cabin steward, 3 divemasters and 3 pangeros/ deckhands. We are exceptionally proud of the hardworking, talented and seamless crew aboard Vortex and we can assure you that their team effort will provide you with the most excellent service anywhere

Yes! We strongly encourage our guests to bring a camera. We have amazing outdoor and indoor camera set up areas complete with. Our friends at the Underwater Photography Guide have some great recommendations for the best underwater cameras. If you need to purchase a new underwater camera, check out our friends at Bluewater Photo.

Once our guests arrive on the boat they will be assigned their room and dive station. They will then remove their dive gear from their dive bags and put it in their assigned dive station. They will also unpack their dry clothes and toiletries in their rooms. Both their dive bag and luggage will be stored in our dry storage area throughout the remainder of the trip. The boat departs harbor at 7:00PM.

The boat will arrive at the first dive site around 4:00PM on the next day, and our guests will have the opportunity to do 1 or 2 dives the first day at the Socorro Islands. Every day after that we schedule 4 dives per day. The only exception to that is when we dive Roca Partida because the diving at this location is deeper and, therefore, we limit the diving to 3 dives for safety considerations. We cannot give you a more specific diving schedule because the captain goes where diving conditions are best, but under normal conditions each 9 to 11 day trip includes 5 to 7 1/2 days of diving and the opportunity to do about 20-22 to 27-29 dives. After the last full day of diving at the Socorro Islands and after the last dive of the day we start our return back to harbor. The boat returns to harbor around 8:00PM or 9:00PM and our guests will spend their last night on the boat in harbor.

After breakfast on the last date of the trip, our guests will disembark the boat by no later than 9:00AM. If their flights depart in the morning or early afternoon, then our guests will go directly from the boat to the airport and our representative in Cabo San Lucas will help them procure transportation paid via cash then. If their flights depart in the mid to late afternoon then they can be transported to our host hotel, The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, at no additional charge. The Bahia Hotel & Beach House welcome our guests to relax and use their facilities free of charge, provided they purchase food and beverage during their time there. The concierge at the hotel will help to procure paid transportation from the hotel to the airport when the time arrives for their departure.

The international airport for our home port in Cabo San Lucas where our Socorro Islands trips depart from is San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (airport code SJD). This is the same airport used by all visitors to the Los Cabos area. It is about a 45 minute drive from the airport to Cabo San Lucas. Most major U.S. airlines fly directly into this airport. In general, the airlines to check out are Alaska, American, Aero Mexico, Delta, Continental, United and Southwest Airlines. There are other airlines and many direct flights from gateway cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago and New York (out of Newark on Continental) so you can start from anywhere and get to us quite easily through these gateway cities. There are also convenient connections through San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, to name just a few.

* for the comfort of our european guests, tui airlines just started the first non-stop flight from frankfurt to cabo.

As of January 2016, all U.S. citizens require a valid passport for travel in and out of Mexico. You will be asked to fill out a tourist card upon entering the country and present this to the immigration officials in Mexico. For other nationalities, you should ask your airline or call the Mexican Consulate in your country. With so many recent changes to travel policies and requirements, these requirements are subject to change so check before you begin your travel plans. For our Guadalupe Trips you will arrive to San Diego, California and then escorted by our staff in an air conditioned coach to Ensenada, Mexico via Tijuana. Our staff will assist you with your tourist visa when crossing at the border in Tijuana but you must have a valid passport in your possession.

Upon reservation confirmation, we will send you a pre-trip information sheet. If you do not receive it, please ask us for it. This will describe arrival procedures. Basically, for the Socorro Islands arrivals into San Jose Del Cabo airport, once you clear Mexican immigration and collect your bags from the luggage carousel, you will proceed through customs. After clearing customs, if our office has arranged for your pre-paid transportation in advance, then just outside the terminal please look for a representative holding a sign which reads “Cabo Seasons”, our local transport company. Give that person your name and they will take it from there. If you are handling your own transportation into Cabo San Lucas, then look for the “Authorized Taxi” sign inside the terminal where you can purchase shuttle tickets to the hotel where you are staying. If you are arriving the same day the boat departs you MUST arrange pre-paid transportation through our office in advance. However, we strongly advise you arrive one day before departure. It is about a 45 minute ride into Cabo San Lucas. On the day of departure, we provide complimentary pick-up at The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, our Host Hotel. We ask that you be in the lobby at 5:00 pm for pick-up between 4:45 pm and 5:00 pm. Alternatively, you can make your own way to the Marina and will be met by a Pelagic Fleet Representative at 5:00 pm. The Vortex departs port NO LATER than 7:00 PM, so please be sure to abide by the times above for a seamless and timely check-in experience for all passengers.

Socorro Vortex is a 140ft Canadian Coast Guard Vessel built for adventure and world-wide hardcore expeditions for the discerning diver, with all the state of the art technology and amenities you would expect from a luxury liveaboard. Our Master Suite has 1 California King Size Bed, our two Junior Suites have either 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds, and our four Luxury Staterooms have either 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds (two of our Luxury Staterooms have 2 Single Beds Only). All cabins feature TV, air conditioning with individual controls, a private bathroom, sink and shower plus top-of-the-line mattresses, pillows and comforters.

Dive Insurance is mandatory for all trips to Socorro Islands and you will be asked to show proof of Insurance prior to the trip. On Guadalupe Island trips, Dive Insurance is required to dive in the submersible cage. For all travelers, we strongly recommend Travel Insurance. For your convenience, several options are provided here for you: Disclosure: These links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Socorro Islands Trips are recommended for divers with a minimum of 50 logged dives. And for Socorro Vortex, we also recommend that all guests are reasonably fit that they can embark and disembark onto pangas from liveaboard (without gear) for safety concerns.
If guests with less than 50 logged dives would still like to join our Socorro Island Trips, there is always the option for a Private Dive Guide, pending availability (please inquire with our reservations & sales team). And as always, it is at the Captain and Crew’s discretion to reserve the right to refuse any guest to participate in certain dives that may be beyond the experience level required.

On all live-aboard dive trips, packed clothing should be kept to a minimum as cabin space is usually limited. You will be in your swimsuit most of the trip and shorts and t-shirts are the common dress. We ask that you appear at all meals in dry clothes, as all meals are sit-down in the main salon. At Socorro, daytime temps will be in the 70’s or 80’s and we can have cooler evenings here so one pair of sweat pants, and a Polartec, sweatshirt or sweater is a good idea. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

The price includes tanks (aluminum 80’s), weights and a weight belt. We now require but do not provide dive computers on our Socorro Islands trips. Additional equipment can be rented for the trip BEFORE you leave the dock. PLEASE advise us when making your Vortex reservation that you will need to rent equipment. Equipment is rented directly from us at our dive store in the town of Cabo San Lucas at a special rate. National Park regulations do not permit dive knives or lights that are not attached to your camera. We have some extra equipment on board in case your equipment should fail but not a large inventory. This equipment is rented on a daily basis when needed. Underwater photography or video equipment is not available at this time and you should be completely self-contained when it comes to this equipment. Rule of thumb when packing is to pack light but keep in mind that “it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”

The ocean temps at Socorro usually range from 78F-82F in November, 70F-74F in Feb/March and then 76F–80F in April to June. Depending on what time of year you join us for the Socorro trips, we’d recommend 5mm in the warmer months, and a 5/7mm or a 7mm in the cooler months. Some of our guests also pack a light vest and hood or a vest with an attached hood in case we run into thermoclines during the cooler months.

Our state-of-the-art Nitrox membrane system fills to 32-34%, and is complimentary to all customers. Socorro Vortex is a NITROX ONLY vessel for the comfort and safety of our customers. Proof of Nitrox certification is required.
If you are not currently Nitrox certified, we offer Nitrox Certification on board at $235.00 (USD) per person.

Since we are not a travel agency, we cannot book general hotel rooms. As of 2018, our host hotel is The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, where we have pre-negotiated special discounted rates for our liveaboard guests. Please note that we will send the host hotel reservation link, together with your liveaboard reservation confirmation. Also, should you prefer to not book at our host hotel, be sure to book your hotel in Cabo San Lucas not San Jose del Cabo. The entire area is now called Los Cabos. Because Vortex is docked in the marina in Cabo San Lucas, a hotel in Cabo San Lucas is preferred.

We must be doing something right because we get consistent rave reviews for the gourmet cuisine aboard Vortex. Our menus vary and feature a combination of American and Mexican cuisine, using fresh, locally grown ingredients as much as possible. We offer a variety of cooked-to-order choices for breakfast and you can always count on fresh tropical fruit platters, icy cold fruit juice, yogurt, pastries, an assortment of cereals, teas and fresh-brewed and very strong, Mexican-style coffee. Vortex is one of the few luxury live-aboards that serves a three-course meal for lunch. Our’s always begins with a fresh, homemade soup (our chef, Tony, is famous for his soups!), followed by a main course and then a delicious dessert. After an afternoon snack and cocktails (watch out for the margaritas!), you’ll be ready for your relaxing dinner aboard Vortex. We begin with a fresh salad, then either chicken or fresh fish or beef, always a fresh vegetable or two followed by another decadent dessert. All beverages, including beer and wine with your meals, are included. Since alcohol and diving don’t mix, be prepared to snorkel for the remainder of the day if you choose to drink alcohol before dive ops have closed for the day. Our chef prepares delicious snacks in the mornings and afternoons and especially takes pride in his fresh, Mexican-style hot chocolate. We always have available fresh fruit, cold fruit juices, sodas, fresh-brewed coffee, and both hot tea and iced tea. We can easily accommodate any special requests such as food allergies, a vegetarian menu, heavy on the fresh salads, etc if you inform us of your needs at least two weeks before your trip. We understand that a live aboard experience is eat-sleep-and-dive and we do our very best to ensure that each of these experiences aboard Vortex is memorable for you.

Although we discourage smoking for reasons we’re all aware of at this point, we understand that some guests are still wrestling with it, so we allow smoking on the sundeck only. We ask that our smoking guests be considerate of our non-smoking guests. You’re outnumbered!

We ask for a local chamber donation of $15.00 USD, payable on board in cash only. The following is a list of other expenses you may want to factor into your planning:
Rental Gear, Nitrox, Nitrox Course – Cash or Credit Card
Gratuity – Cash only
Souvenirs – Cash or Credit Card
Credit Cards are charged in Mexican currency peso; Cash accepted is USD and pesos.

While we feel that gratuity is a very personal decision and should reflect the level of service you receive, we are often asked to provide guidelines. Your Captain and Crew are extremely hardworking and committed to providing you the best service possible. Gratuity of 10-15% the published rate of your trip is customary and deeply appreciated, and is accepted in Cash only.

Yes, we accept credit cards on board: Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover Card. If you pay via credit card, please note it will be charged in the Mexican currency, Pesos.

The general exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Mexican peso varies greatly. In May 2017 the average was about 19.5 pesos to the Dollar but please check online at one of the many currency exchange websites such as http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/

Onboard voltage is 110 AC, just like in the United States. We also have a number of 220 charging stations for our overseas guests.

The crossing to and from Socorro (The Revillagigedos Islands) from Cabo San Lucas takes about 22-24 hours, depending on weather conditions. Although most of the crossings are in fairly calm seas, we are crossing in open ocean conditions so precaution against motion sickness is advised. We have sometimes experienced rough seas heading uphill from Socorro to Cabo.

The Vortex communicates twice daily with either our Mexican home base or U.S. Office by Satellite Phone. Although we discourage conducting business while out on your Vortex expedition, we realize that sometimes it is necessary to communicate with your office or home. Guests are welcome to use our phone system and will be assisted by our captain. Your call will be charged at Satellite minute rates ranging from $4 – $5 U.S. dollars per minute. Remember our phone and email system is primarily for boat operations and emergency use. We encourage our guests to detach and enjoy this adventure of a lifetime by leaving your worries at home.

Included in the price of your Socorro Islands trip are all port fees and fuel surcharges. Also included are: complimentary transfer from the Host Hotel to the Vortex on day of departure, your accommodations, all meals and snacks, all beverages including beer and wine, a certified divemaster in the water at all times, tanks, weights, weight belts and air fills.

Gratuities and National Park fees are not included.

Our crew is our strength and we consider them all family. The Vortex crew has worked together for many, many years and each crew member contributes something unique and necessary to your trip. We have a permanent crew of 10 that consists of captain, engineer, chef, cabin steward, 3 divemasters and 3 pangeros/ deckhands. We are exceptionally proud of the hardworking, talented and seamless crew aboard Vortex and we can assure you that their team effort will provide you with the most excellent service anywhere

Yes! We strongly encourage our guests to bring a camera. We have amazing outdoor and indoor camera set up areas complete with. Our friends at the Underwater Photography Guide have some great recommendations for the best underwater cameras. If you need to purchase a new underwater camera, check out our friends at Bluewater Photo.

Once our guests arrive on the boat they will be assigned their room and dive station. They will then remove their dive gear from their dive bags and put it in their assigned dive station. They will also unpack their dry clothes and toiletries in their rooms. Both their dive bag and luggage will be stored in our dry storage area throughout the remainder of the trip. The boat departs harbor at 7:00PM.

The boat will arrive at the first dive site around 4:00PM on the next day, and our guests will have the opportunity to do 1 or 2 dives the first day at the Socorro Islands. Every day after that we schedule 4 dives per day. The only exception to that is when we dive Roca Partida because the diving at this location is deeper and, therefore, we limit the diving to 3 dives for safety considerations. We cannot give you a more specific diving schedule because the captain goes where diving conditions are best, but under normal conditions each 9 to 11 day trip includes 5 to 7 1/2 days of diving and the opportunity to do about 20-22 to 27-29 dives. After the last full day of diving at the Socorro Islands and after the last dive of the day we start our return back to harbor. The boat returns to harbor around 8:00PM or 9:00PM and our guests will spend their last night on the boat in harbor.

After breakfast on the last date of the trip, our guests will disembark the boat by no later than 9:00AM. If their flights depart in the morning or early afternoon, then our guests will go directly from the boat to the airport and our representative in Cabo San Lucas will help them procure transportation paid via cash then. If their flights depart in the mid to late afternoon then they can be transported to our host hotel, The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, at no additional charge. The Bahia Hotel & Beach House welcome our guests to relax and use their facilities free of charge, provided they purchase food and beverage during their time there. The concierge at the hotel will help to procure paid transportation from the hotel to the airport when the time arrives for their departure.

The international airport for our home port in Cabo San Lucas where our Socorro Islands trips depart from is San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (airport code SJD). This is the same airport used by all visitors to the Los Cabos area. It is about a 45 minute drive from the airport to Cabo San Lucas. Most major U.S. airlines fly directly into this airport. In general, the airlines to check out are Alaska, American, Aero Mexico, Delta, Continental, United and Southwest Airlines. There are other airlines and many direct flights from gateway cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago and New York (out of Newark on Continental) so you can start from anywhere and get to us quite easily through these gateway cities. There are also convenient connections through San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, to name just a few.

* for the comfort of our european guests, tui airlines just started the first non-stop flight from frankfurt to cabo.

As of January 2016, all U.S. citizens require a valid passport for travel in and out of Mexico. You will be asked to fill out a tourist card upon entering the country and present this to the immigration officials in Mexico. For other nationalities, you should ask your airline or call the Mexican Consulate in your country. With so many recent changes to travel policies and requirements, these requirements are subject to change so check before you begin your travel plans. For our Guadalupe Trips you will arrive to San Diego, California and then escorted by our staff in an air conditioned coach to Ensenada, Mexico via Tijuana. Our staff will assist you with your tourist visa when crossing at the border in Tijuana but you must have a valid passport in your possession.

Upon reservation confirmation, we will send you a pre-trip information sheet. If you do not receive it, please ask us for it. This will describe arrival procedures. Basically, for the Socorro Islands arrivals into San Jose Del Cabo airport, once you clear Mexican immigration and collect your bags from the luggage carousel, you will proceed through customs. After clearing customs, if our office has arranged for your pre-paid transportation in advance, then just outside the terminal please look for a representative holding a sign which reads “Cabo Seasons”, our local transport company. Give that person your name and they will take it from there. If you are handling your own transportation into Cabo San Lucas, then look for the “Authorized Taxi” sign inside the terminal where you can purchase shuttle tickets to the hotel where you are staying. If you are arriving the same day the boat departs you MUST arrange pre-paid transportation through our office in advance. However, we strongly advise you arrive one day before departure. It is about a 45 minute ride into Cabo San Lucas. On the day of departure, we provide complimentary pick-up at The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, our Host Hotel. We ask that you be in the lobby at 5:00 pm for pick-up between 4:45 pm and 5:00 pm. Alternatively, you can make your own way to the Marina and will be met by a Pelagic Fleet Representative at 5:00 pm. The Vortex departs port NO LATER than 7:00 PM, so please be sure to abide by the times above for a seamless and timely check-in experience for all passengers.

Socorro Vortex is a 140ft Canadian Coast Guard Vessel built for adventure and world-wide hardcore expeditions for the discerning diver, with all the state of the art technology and amenities you would expect from a luxury liveaboard. Our Master Suite has 1 California King Size Bed, our two Junior Suites have either 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds, and our four Luxury Staterooms have either 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds (two of our Luxury Staterooms have 2 Single Beds Only). All cabins feature TV, air conditioning with individual controls, a private bathroom, sink and shower plus top-of-the-line mattresses, pillows and comforters.

Dive Insurance is mandatory for all trips to Socorro Islands and you will be asked to show proof of Insurance prior to the trip. On Guadalupe Island trips, Dive Insurance is required to dive in the submersible cage. For all travelers, we strongly recommend Travel Insurance. For your convenience, several options are provided here for you: Disclosure: These links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Socorro Islands Trips are recommended for divers with a minimum of 50 logged dives. And for Socorro Vortex, we also recommend that all guests are reasonably fit that they can embark and disembark onto pangas from liveaboard (without gear) for safety concerns.
If guests with less than 50 logged dives would still like to join our Socorro Island Trips, there is always the option for a Private Dive Guide, pending availability (please inquire with our reservations & sales team). And as always, it is at the Captain and Crew’s discretion to reserve the right to refuse any guest to participate in certain dives that may be beyond the experience level required.

On all live-aboard dive trips, packed clothing should be kept to a minimum as cabin space is usually limited. You will be in your swimsuit most of the trip and shorts and t-shirts are the common dress. We ask that you appear at all meals in dry clothes, as all meals are sit-down in the main salon. At Socorro, daytime temps will be in the 70’s or 80’s and we can have cooler evenings here so one pair of sweat pants, and a Polartec, sweatshirt or sweater is a good idea. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

The price includes tanks (aluminum 80’s), weights and a weight belt. We now require but do not provide dive computers on our Socorro Islands trips. Additional equipment can be rented for the trip BEFORE you leave the dock. PLEASE advise us when making your Vortex reservation that you will need to rent equipment. Equipment is rented directly from us at our dive store in the town of Cabo San Lucas at a special rate. National Park regulations do not permit dive knives or lights that are not attached to your camera. We have some extra equipment on board in case your equipment should fail but not a large inventory. This equipment is rented on a daily basis when needed. Underwater photography or video equipment is not available at this time and you should be completely self-contained when it comes to this equipment. Rule of thumb when packing is to pack light but keep in mind that “it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”

The ocean temps at Socorro usually range from 78F-82F in November, 70F-74F in Feb/March and then 76F–80F in April to June. Depending on what time of year you join us for the Socorro trips, we’d recommend 5mm in the warmer months, and a 5/7mm or a 7mm in the cooler months. Some of our guests also pack a light vest and hood or a vest with an attached hood in case we run into thermoclines during the cooler months.

Our state-of-the-art Nitrox membrane system fills to 32-34%, and is complimentary to all customers. Socorro Vortex is a NITROX ONLY vessel for the comfort and safety of our customers. Proof of Nitrox certification is required.
If you are not currently Nitrox certified, we offer Nitrox Certification on board at $235.00 (USD) per person.

Since we are not a travel agency, we cannot book general hotel rooms. As of 2018, our host hotel is The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, where we have pre-negotiated special discounted rates for our liveaboard guests. Please note that we will send the host hotel reservation link, together with your liveaboard reservation confirmation. Also, should you prefer to not book at our host hotel, be sure to book your hotel in Cabo San Lucas not San Jose del Cabo. The entire area is now called Los Cabos. Because Vortex is docked in the marina in Cabo San Lucas, a hotel in Cabo San Lucas is preferred.

We must be doing something right because we get consistent rave reviews for the gourmet cuisine aboard Vortex. Our menus vary and feature a combination of American and Mexican cuisine, using fresh, locally grown ingredients as much as possible. We offer a variety of cooked-to-order choices for breakfast and you can always count on fresh tropical fruit platters, icy cold fruit juice, yogurt, pastries, an assortment of cereals, teas and fresh-brewed and very strong, Mexican-style coffee. Vortex is one of the few luxury live-aboards that serves a three-course meal for lunch. Our’s always begins with a fresh, homemade soup (our chef, Tony, is famous for his soups!), followed by a main course and then a delicious dessert. After an afternoon snack and cocktails (watch out for the margaritas!), you’ll be ready for your relaxing dinner aboard Vortex. We begin with a fresh salad, then either chicken or fresh fish or beef, always a fresh vegetable or two followed by another decadent dessert. All beverages, including beer and wine with your meals, are included. Since alcohol and diving don’t mix, be prepared to snorkel for the remainder of the day if you choose to drink alcohol before dive ops have closed for the day. Our chef prepares delicious snacks in the mornings and afternoons and especially takes pride in his fresh, Mexican-style hot chocolate. We always have available fresh fruit, cold fruit juices, sodas, fresh-brewed coffee, and both hot tea and iced tea. We can easily accommodate any special requests such as food allergies, a vegetarian menu, heavy on the fresh salads, etc if you inform us of your needs at least two weeks before your trip. We understand that a live aboard experience is eat-sleep-and-dive and we do our very best to ensure that each of these experiences aboard Vortex is memorable for you.

Although we discourage smoking for reasons we’re all aware of at this point, we understand that some guests are still wrestling with it, so we allow smoking on the sundeck only. We ask that our smoking guests be considerate of our non-smoking guests. You’re outnumbered!

We ask for a local chamber donation of $15.00 USD, payable on board in cash only. The following is a list of other expenses you may want to factor into your planning:
Rental Gear, Nitrox, Nitrox Course – Cash or Credit Card
Gratuity – Cash only
Souvenirs – Cash or Credit Card
Credit Cards are charged in Mexican currency peso; Cash accepted is USD and pesos.

While we feel that gratuity is a very personal decision and should reflect the level of service you receive, we are often asked to provide guidelines. Your Captain and Crew are extremely hardworking and committed to providing you the best service possible. Gratuity of 10-15% the published rate of your trip is customary and deeply appreciated, and is accepted in Cash only.

Yes, we accept credit cards on board: Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover Card. If you pay via credit card, please note it will be charged in the Mexican currency, Pesos.

The general exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Mexican peso varies greatly. In May 2017 the average was about 19.5 pesos to the Dollar but please check online at one of the many currency exchange websites such as http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/

Onboard voltage is 110 AC, just like in the United States. We also have a number of 220 charging stations for our overseas guests.

The crossing to and from Socorro (The Revillagigedos Islands) from Cabo San Lucas takes about 22-24 hours, depending on weather conditions. Although most of the crossings are in fairly calm seas, we are crossing in open ocean conditions so precaution against motion sickness is advised. We have sometimes experienced rough seas heading uphill from Socorro to Cabo.

The Vortex communicates twice daily with either our Mexican home base or U.S. Office by Satellite Phone. Although we discourage conducting business while out on your Vortex expedition, we realize that sometimes it is necessary to communicate with your office or home. Guests are welcome to use our phone system and will be assisted by our captain. Your call will be charged at Satellite minute rates ranging from $4 – $5 U.S. dollars per minute. Remember our phone and email system is primarily for boat operations and emergency use. We encourage our guests to detach and enjoy this adventure of a lifetime by leaving your worries at home.

Included in the price of your Socorro Islands trip are all port fees and fuel surcharges. Also included are: complimentary transfer from the Host Hotel to the Vortex on day of departure, your accommodations, all meals and snacks, all beverages including beer and wine, a certified divemaster in the water at all times, tanks, weights, weight belts and air fills.

Gratuities and National Park fees are not included.

Our crew is our strength and we consider them all family. The Vortex crew has worked together for many, many years and each crew member contributes something unique and necessary to your trip. We have a permanent crew of 10 that consists of captain, engineer, chef, cabin steward, 3 divemasters and 3 pangeros/ deckhands. We are exceptionally proud of the hardworking, talented and seamless crew aboard Vortex and we can assure you that their team effort will provide you with the most excellent service anywhere

Yes! We strongly encourage our guests to bring a camera. We have amazing outdoor and indoor camera set up areas complete with. Our friends at the Underwater Photography Guide have some great recommendations for the best underwater cameras. If you need to purchase a new underwater camera, check out our friends at Bluewater Photo.

Once our guests arrive on the boat they will be assigned their room and dive station. They will then remove their dive gear from their dive bags and put it in their assigned dive station. They will also unpack their dry clothes and toiletries in their rooms. Both their dive bag and luggage will be stored in our dry storage area throughout the remainder of the trip. The boat departs harbor at 7:00PM.

The boat will arrive at the first dive site around 4:00PM on the next day, and our guests will have the opportunity to do 1 or 2 dives the first day at the Socorro Islands. Every day after that we schedule 4 dives per day. The only exception to that is when we dive Roca Partida because the diving at this location is deeper and, therefore, we limit the diving to 3 dives for safety considerations. We cannot give you a more specific diving schedule because the captain goes where diving conditions are best, but under normal conditions each 9 to 11 day trip includes 5 to 7 1/2 days of diving and the opportunity to do about 20-22 to 27-29 dives. After the last full day of diving at the Socorro Islands and after the last dive of the day we start our return back to harbor. The boat returns to harbor around 8:00PM or 9:00PM and our guests will spend their last night on the boat in harbor.

After breakfast on the last date of the trip, our guests will disembark the boat by no later than 9:00AM. If their flights depart in the morning or early afternoon, then our guests will go directly from the boat to the airport and our representative in Cabo San Lucas will help them procure transportation paid via cash then. If their flights depart in the mid to late afternoon then they can be transported to our host hotel, The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, at no additional charge. The Bahia Hotel & Beach House welcome our guests to relax and use their facilities free of charge, provided they purchase food and beverage during their time there. The concierge at the hotel will help to procure paid transportation from the hotel to the airport when the time arrives for their departure.

The international airport for our home port in Cabo San Lucas where our Socorro Islands trips depart from is San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (airport code SJD). This is the same airport used by all visitors to the Los Cabos area. It is about a 45 minute drive from the airport to Cabo San Lucas. Most major U.S. airlines fly directly into this airport. In general, the airlines to check out are Alaska, American, Aero Mexico, Delta, Continental, United and Southwest Airlines. There are other airlines and many direct flights from gateway cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago and New York (out of Newark on Continental) so you can start from anywhere and get to us quite easily through these gateway cities. There are also convenient connections through San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, to name just a few.

* for the comfort of our european guests, tui airlines just started the first non-stop flight from frankfurt to cabo.

As of January 2016, all U.S. citizens require a valid passport for travel in and out of Mexico. You will be asked to fill out a tourist card upon entering the country and present this to the immigration officials in Mexico. For other nationalities, you should ask your airline or call the Mexican Consulate in your country. With so many recent changes to travel policies and requirements, these requirements are subject to change so check before you begin your travel plans. For our Guadalupe Trips you will arrive to San Diego, California and then escorted by our staff in an air conditioned coach to Ensenada, Mexico via Tijuana. Our staff will assist you with your tourist visa when crossing at the border in Tijuana but you must have a valid passport in your possession.

Upon reservation confirmation, we will send you a pre-trip information sheet. If you do not receive it, please ask us for it. This will describe arrival procedures. Basically, for the Socorro Islands arrivals into San Jose Del Cabo airport, once you clear Mexican immigration and collect your bags from the luggage carousel, you will proceed through customs. After clearing customs, if our office has arranged for your pre-paid transportation in advance, then just outside the terminal please look for a representative holding a sign which reads “Cabo Seasons”, our local transport company. Give that person your name and they will take it from there. If you are handling your own transportation into Cabo San Lucas, then look for the “Authorized Taxi” sign inside the terminal where you can purchase shuttle tickets to the hotel where you are staying. If you are arriving the same day the boat departs you MUST arrange pre-paid transportation through our office in advance. However, we strongly advise you arrive one day before departure. It is about a 45 minute ride into Cabo San Lucas. On the day of departure, we provide complimentary pick-up at The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, our Host Hotel. We ask that you be in the lobby at 5:00 pm for pick-up between 4:45 pm and 5:00 pm. Alternatively, you can make your own way to the Marina and will be met by a Pelagic Fleet Representative at 5:00 pm. The Vortex departs port NO LATER than 7:00 PM, so please be sure to abide by the times above for a seamless and timely check-in experience for all passengers.

Socorro Vortex is a 140ft Canadian Coast Guard Vessel built for adventure and world-wide hardcore expeditions for the discerning diver, with all the state of the art technology and amenities you would expect from a luxury liveaboard. Our Master Suite has 1 California King Size Bed, our two Junior Suites have either 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds, and our four Luxury Staterooms have either 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds (two of our Luxury Staterooms have 2 Single Beds Only). All cabins feature TV, air conditioning with individual controls, a private bathroom, sink and shower plus top-of-the-line mattresses, pillows and comforters.

Dive Insurance is mandatory for all trips to Socorro Islands and you will be asked to show proof of Insurance prior to the trip. On Guadalupe Island trips, Dive Insurance is required to dive in the submersible cage. For all travelers, we strongly recommend Travel Insurance. For your convenience, several options are provided here for you: Disclosure: These links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Socorro Islands Trips are recommended for divers with a minimum of 50 logged dives. And for Socorro Vortex, we also recommend that all guests are reasonably fit that they can embark and disembark onto pangas from liveaboard (without gear) for safety concerns.
If guests with less than 50 logged dives would still like to join our Socorro Island Trips, there is always the option for a Private Dive Guide, pending availability (please inquire with our reservations & sales team). And as always, it is at the Captain and Crew’s discretion to reserve the right to refuse any guest to participate in certain dives that may be beyond the experience level required.

On all live-aboard dive trips, packed clothing should be kept to a minimum as cabin space is usually limited. You will be in your swimsuit most of the trip and shorts and t-shirts are the common dress. We ask that you appear at all meals in dry clothes, as all meals are sit-down in the main salon. At Socorro, daytime temps will be in the 70’s or 80’s and we can have cooler evenings here so one pair of sweat pants, and a Polartec, sweatshirt or sweater is a good idea. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

The price includes tanks (aluminum 80’s), weights and a weight belt. We now require but do not provide dive computers on our Socorro Islands trips. Additional equipment can be rented for the trip BEFORE you leave the dock. PLEASE advise us when making your Vortex reservation that you will need to rent equipment. Equipment is rented directly from us at our dive store in the town of Cabo San Lucas at a special rate. National Park regulations do not permit dive knives or lights that are not attached to your camera. We have some extra equipment on board in case your equipment should fail but not a large inventory. This equipment is rented on a daily basis when needed. Underwater photography or video equipment is not available at this time and you should be completely self-contained when it comes to this equipment. Rule of thumb when packing is to pack light but keep in mind that “it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”

The ocean temps at Socorro usually range from 78F-82F in November, 70F-74F in Feb/March and then 76F–80F in April to June. Depending on what time of year you join us for the Socorro trips, we’d recommend 5mm in the warmer months, and a 5/7mm or a 7mm in the cooler months. Some of our guests also pack a light vest and hood or a vest with an attached hood in case we run into thermoclines during the cooler months.

Our state-of-the-art Nitrox membrane system fills to 32-34%, and is complimentary to all customers. Socorro Vortex is a NITROX ONLY vessel for the comfort and safety of our customers. Proof of Nitrox certification is required.
If you are not currently Nitrox certified, we offer Nitrox Certification on board at $235.00 (USD) per person.

Since we are not a travel agency, we cannot book general hotel rooms. As of 2018, our host hotel is The Bahia Hotel & Beach House, where we have pre-negotiated special discounted rates for our liveaboard guests. Please note that we will send the host hotel reservation link, together with your liveaboard reservation confirmation. Also, should you prefer to not book at our host hotel, be sure to book your hotel in Cabo San Lucas not San Jose del Cabo. The entire area is now called Los Cabos. Because Vortex is docked in the marina in Cabo San Lucas, a hotel in Cabo San Lucas is preferred.

We must be doing something right because we get consistent rave reviews for the gourmet cuisine aboard Vortex. Our menus vary and feature a combination of American and Mexican cuisine, using fresh, locally grown ingredients as much as possible. We offer a variety of cooked-to-order choices for breakfast and you can always count on fresh tropical fruit platters, icy cold fruit juice, yogurt, pastries, an assortment of cereals, teas and fresh-brewed and very strong, Mexican-style coffee. Vortex is one of the few luxury live-aboards that serves a three-course meal for lunch. Our’s always begins with a fresh, homemade soup (our chef, Tony, is famous for his soups!), followed by a main course and then a delicious dessert. After an afternoon snack and cocktails (watch out for the margaritas!), you’ll be ready for your relaxing dinner aboard Vortex. We begin with a fresh salad, then either chicken or fresh fish or beef, always a fresh vegetable or two followed by another decadent dessert. All beverages, including beer and wine with your meals, are included. Since alcohol and diving don’t mix, be prepared to snorkel for the remainder of the day if you choose to drink alcohol before dive ops have closed for the day. Our chef prepares delicious snacks in the mornings and afternoons and especially takes pride in his fresh, Mexican-style hot chocolate. We always have available fresh fruit, cold fruit juices, sodas, fresh-brewed coffee, and both hot tea and iced tea. We can easily accommodate any special requests such as food allergies, a vegetarian menu, heavy on the fresh salads, etc if you inform us of your needs at least two weeks before your trip. We understand that a live aboard experience is eat-sleep-and-dive and we do our very best to ensure that each of these experiences aboard Vortex is memorable for you.

Although we discourage smoking for reasons we’re all aware of at this point, we understand that some guests are still wrestling with it, so we allow smoking on the sundeck only. We ask that our smoking guests be considerate of our non-smoking guests. You’re outnumbered!

We ask for a local chamber donation of $15.00 USD, payable on board in cash only. The following is a list of other expenses you may want to factor into your planning:
Rental Gear, Nitrox, Nitrox Course – Cash or Credit Card
Gratuity – Cash only
Souvenirs – Cash or Credit Card
Credit Cards are charged in Mexican currency peso; Cash accepted is USD and pesos.

While we feel that gratuity is a very personal decision and should reflect the level of service you receive, we are often asked to provide guidelines. Your Captain and Crew are extremely hardworking and committed to providing you the best service possible. Gratuity of 10-15% the published rate of your trip is customary and deeply appreciated, and is accepted in Cash only.

Yes, we accept credit cards on board: Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover Card. If you pay via credit card, please note it will be charged in the Mexican currency, Pesos.

The general exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Mexican peso varies greatly. In May 2017 the average was about 19.5 pesos to the Dollar but please check online at one of the many currency exchange websites such as http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/

Onboard voltage is 110 AC, just like in the United States. We also have a number of 220 charging stations for our overseas guests.

The crossing to and from Socorro (The Revillagigedos Islands) from Cabo San Lucas takes about 22-24 hours, depending on weather conditions. Although most of the crossings are in fairly calm seas, we are crossing in open ocean conditions so precaution against motion sickness is advised. We have sometimes experienced rough seas heading uphill from Socorro to Cabo.

The Vortex communicates twice daily with either our Mexican home base or U.S. Office by Satellite Phone. Although we discourage conducting business while out on your Vortex expedition, we realize that sometimes it is necessary to communicate with your office or home. Guests are welcome to use our phone system and will be assisted by our captain. Your call will be charged at Satellite minute rates ranging from $4 – $5 U.S. dollars per minute. Remember our phone and email system is primarily for boat operations and emergency use. We encourage our guests to detach and enjoy this adventure of a lifetime by leaving your worries at home.

Included in the price of your Socorro Islands trip are all port fees and fuel surcharges. Also included are: complimentary transfer from the Host Hotel to the Vortex on day of departure, your accommodations, all meals and snacks, all beverages including beer and wine, a certified divemaster in the water at all times, tanks, weights, weight belts and air fills.

Gratuities and National Park fees are not included.

Our crew is our strength and we consider them all family. The Vortex crew has worked together for many, many years and each crew member contributes something unique and necessary to your trip. We have a permanent crew of 10 that consists of captain, engineer, chef, cabin steward, 3 divemasters and 3 pangeros/ deckhands. We are exceptionally proud of the hardworking, talented and seamless crew aboard Vortex and we can assure you that their team effort will provide you with the most excellent service anywhere

Yes! We strongly encourage our guests to bring a camera. We have amazing outdoor and indoor camera set up areas complete with. Our friends at the Underwater Photography Guide have some great recommendations for the best underwater cameras. If you need to purchase a new underwater camera, check out our friends at Bluewater Photo.