How to See Manta Rays

Our correspondent diving with the mantas at Socorro was aboard the 72- foot Ambar III, a boat that does more fishing than diving. The vessel was booked up for the next two years, but a last-minute cancellation opened up a spot for her. (Ambar III: 503-234-7952, fax 503-620-6787.)

The Solmar V, departing from Cabo San Lucas, is a 112-foot live-aboard carrying 22 divers that also covers the area. Undercurrent readers Fred and Jean Drury (Wheaton, Illinois) just returned from a May trip on the Solmar V and reported beautiful weather, plenty of mantas, sharks and more sharks, a whale shark, and humpbacks in the distance.

Jeff Milman (New York), who was on the Solmar V last December, noticed that, for touching, mantas preferred the women divers. He offered some advice: "Men should consider dressing in drag for the dive." Both readers rated the boat, the crew, and the diving high, but panned the food. (Solmar V: travel agent or direct at 800-344-3349 or 310-459-9861, fax 310-454-1686.)

The Don Jose, an 80-foot live-aboard departing from La Paz, has been in the area for 17 years. Carrying up to 22 divers, the boat makes some trips out to Socorro. (Don Jose: travel agent or direct at 800-843-6967 or 619-581-3311, fax 619-581-6542.)

The Copper Sky, a boat that was being booked by See & Sea, is an 88-foot schooner carrying only 12 divers. It departs from La Paz for Socorro trips. (Copper Sky: 604-433-8374, fax 604-433-8808.)