探索索科羅島

索科羅島位於巴亞爾塔港以西約1046公里/650英里處,與聖貝內迪克托島、羅卡帕蒂達島和克拉里翁島共同組成雷維利亞希赫多群島。這些島嶼有時被稱為「墨西哥的加拉巴哥群島」。這種與厄瓜多海岸加拉巴哥群島的比較不無道理;與加拉巴哥群島一樣,雷維利亞希赫多群島也擁有火山歷史,陸地和海洋生物種類繁多,包括許多特有物種,並被列為國家公園、海洋保護區和聯合國教科文組織世界遺產。由於索科羅島是群島中最著名的島嶼,有時人們將雷維利亞希赫多群島統稱為索科羅。對於大型動物愛好者,特別是海洋哺乳動物愛好者來說,索科羅島是必遊之地。座頭鯨、鎚頭鯊和鯨鯊(我的天哪!)經常光顧這座島嶼,潛水時很有可能與它們相遇。

由於這些島嶼位置偏遠,潛水點只能透過從墨西哥卡波聖盧卡斯和聖何塞德爾卡波港口出發的船宿潛水船進行探索。造訪索科羅的最佳時間是北半球的冬季和春季,此時水溫通常不低於21攝氏度/69.8華氏度,最高可達28攝氏度/82.4華氏度。由於大多數潛點水流湍急且水深較深,索科羅僅推薦給經驗豐富的潛水員。

索科羅島的許多潛點都以水下尖峰為主,這些尖峰是柱狀的尖岩結構。例如,帕蒂達岩 (Roca Partida)、奧尼爾岩 (Roca O'Neal) 和鍋爐岩 (The Boiler) 是三個以水下尖峰為主要特徵的熱門潛點。

Top Socorro Island DIve Sites

Cabo Pierce

Located on Socorro Island's east side, Cabo Pierce is renowned for its frequent sightings of manta rays, dolphins, and humpback whales. It is suitable for advanced divers due to its depth and currents. Scuba diving is the primary activity here. This site is within a protected area, emphasizing the preservation of its vibrant marine life.

Punta Tosca

Also on the eastern side of Socorro Island, Punta Tosca offers thrilling encounters with dolphins, along with occasional sightings of silky, Galapagos, tiger, and hammerhead sharks. Parts of the site reach depths of 40 meters/131.2 feet, making it ideal for advanced scuba divers. It is part of an ecologically important zone, home to majestic megafauna.

Roca O’Neal

Known as Hammerhead Central, this site features a pinnacle that flattens at 10 meters/32.8 feet depth. Advanced divers can explore the cave below. Scuba diving is the main activity, with numerous shark species, including hammerheads, traversing the area. It is a notable spot for ecological diversity.

The Aquarium

Aptly named for its abundance of marine life, The Aquarium allows divers to get close to surface-whales. This site is suitable for both scuba diving and freediving, catering to intermediate divers. It showcases a diverse array of marine species in a vibrant underwater setting.

Roca Partida

Considered one of the best dive spots in Socorro, Roca Partida features a split pinnacle that rises 35 meters/114.8 feet above the water and plunges 40 meters/131.2 feet below. This site is fit for advanced divers, offering scuba diving experiences that include encounters with tuna, mackerel, marlin, manta rays, and various shark species. It is a key ecological zone, teeming with pelagic life.

索科羅島最佳潛水月份

索科羅的最佳潛水時間是每年的11月至隔年5月,此時海洋環境最為平靜。在這段時間內,1月至4月初是水面溫度最低的時候(21-23攝氏度/69.8-73.4華氏度),也是看到座頭鯨的機率最高的時候。座頭鯨正是在這段時間在索科羅附近繁殖和產仔。在11月至隔年1月以及4月至5月這兩個時間段,水面溫度會達到攝氏26度/78.8華氏度。雖然在這段較溫暖的時期潛水員遇到座頭鯨的幾率較低,但卻是觀賞鯊魚和蝠鱝的絕佳時機!

索科羅港的能見度通常非常好,平均可達 30 公尺/98.4 英尺,最佳能見度可達 40 公尺/131.2 英尺。根據海洋狀況、天氣和表層海洋營養物質含量,能見度可能會下降至 15-20 公尺/49.2-65.6 英尺。請注意,浮游生物大量繁殖會顯著降低能見度,這種情況通常發生在滿月前後。