Sean Chinn’s Snorkel Journeys: Part 3 – Socorro Sharks

In this ongoing series regular contributor and worldwide snorkel adventurer Sean Chinn shares his snorkel journeys.

Part 3 – Socorro Sharks

Revillagigedo Archipelago or the more commonly known Socorro Islands are a diver’s paradise. Situated around 280 miles from the mainland at Cabo San Lucas, they are only accessible on liveaboard. Does that mean you have to be a scuba diver to visit this amazing place? Or could you join the trip as snorkeler? I’d certainly say if you have a diving partner or friend and you wanted to join them here, then why not? There was a non-diver on our trip back in 2017 and there’s certainly opportunities to experience some amazing snorkelling.

My first experience getting in the water at the surface with a snorkel actually came at the end of a dive and we were on the rib on the way back to the boat. A manta ray was spotted at the surface and not one to miss an opportunity I grabbed my mask, snorkel and fins and rolled back in. It was only a couple of minutes spent at the surface but such an amazing experience with a majestic manta. On the same day we also spotted a humpback whale from the boat and went out exploring to see if we could find it to enter the water with it. Unfortunately we weren’t lucky this time but imagine the thrill if you had the opportunity to snorkel with a whale!!

The big opportunity for snorkelling came with the silky sharks that were using the boats lights to hunt flying fish at night. This created a funny moment on the first night they were there as I was standing on the back deck showering and a flying fish flew out the water into my… (cough cough), well you get the picture. I threw it back in but unfortunately it was still dazed and was an easy target for a waiting silky. We didn’t actually get in and snorkel this night but the next day after a day diving around Socorro Island the silky sharks were waiting for us at sunset. Snorkelling with sharks at golden hour was a special experience as the golden rays of the setting sun pierced through the water highlighting the beauty of beneath the waves.

A silky shark passes by under the dappled light of sunset while snorkelling at the back of the boat. 

As the sun went down it was time for dinner. However our snorkel adventure wasn’t over and as the sharks became more active at night it created an adrenaline-fuelled night time snorkel with excitable sharks hunting. Most the guests onboard had opportunities in the water with them and it certainly was exciting as the sharks would slink their way through the thrilled swimmers. It wasn’t long before we had to get back onboard so the boat could head to Roca Partida for the next day’s diving. Luckily for me there was also silky sharks around the boat at night the next night as well. This time nobody else onboard wanted to get in the water. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to snorkel at night with sharks again and got in. This was a much more nerve-racking experience being alone in the water with 20-30 animated sharks. After around half an hour and being bumped by numerous sharks I didn’t want to push my luck and decided it was time to get out the water but was left with memories to last a lifetime.

 Snorkelling with silky sharks at night was an amazing adventure for all onboard. 

Find out more about Sean, his photography and his trips at: www.greatwhitesean.com