Scuba X Travel - Montclair, California

Erin R.

Niki is the ultimate planner, organizer, hostess, and adventure finder. I have traveled with Scuba X Travel 1-2 times a year for the past five years. All trips have far surpassed my expectations, even after knowing the kind of trip Niki builds. Niki takes time to build a trip that includes adventure, genuine cultural experiences, and simple fun. Nothing is compromised on the trips and each trip is a "trip of a lifetime". While things don't always go as planned, Niki ensures that everyone continues to have the ultimate experience.

Britta H.

Niki is amazing at what she does! She doesn’t just plan trips... she plans adventures!!! Thank you Niki for making every trip fun, easy, and memorable!

Thomas S.

This was my first dive trip with Scuba X Travel Adventures (SXT Adventures) and Scuba Schools of America (Niki and Rusty). We spent 9 days on board the M/V Valentina heading to Isla Socorro (Revillagigedo Islands).

Although this was not my first visit to the Revillagigedo Islands, commonly referred to collectively as the Socorro Islands, I did experience a new above-water perspective thanks to SXT Adventures.

No dive organization or dive boat can control the sea life or ocean conditions, such as unexpected swell, wind, or visibility, that occur above or below the water. The underwater experience at Socorro is always amazing. The ocean is unpredictable, and whatever critters you encounter on your dive are the ones you will experience.

Our experience was exceptional. We dived with friendly giant manta rays with a 15 to 20-foot wingspan. We commonly had 2-3 mantas on each dive and 5 mantas on one dive at El Boiler. Six types of sharks, dolphins, whales on the surface, schooling tuna, and underwater topography that will take your breath away.

However, it was the time between our dives that SXT Adventures and the Valentina's crew set themselves apart from my other Socorro trips. The Valentine's crew provided zodiac tours of the islands' shoreline, allowing us to see the volcanic formations up close. We also navigated through 50-foot-tall volcanic arches and viewed from the surface, 100-foot-tall sea mounts rising from the depths that peaked just a few feet below the calm water's surface. Viewing the sea mounts below and above the water was breathing.

I am a professional photographer and have been diving for 32 years. I have also been diving international liveaboards for 25 years. This trip exceeded my expectations. SXT Adventures' attention to detail regarding pre-trip planning, airline and airport travel, ground transfers, overnight hotel accommodations, group lunches and dinners, dive agenda, surface interval activities, and dive boat selection (M/V Valentina) was phenomenal and perfectly executed.

As an underwater photographer, my dive buddy and I were allowed to dive away from the main dive group to photograph targets of opportunity. This allowed us to avoid background distractions, such as unwanted divers or bubbles in my photographs. This was an earned freedom granted by the divemasters as they gained confident in your diving abilities. Underwater visibility dictates the distance away from the group, and you must not abuse this privilege by losing sight of the dive group. Solo diving in Socorro is never allowed.

With pre-planning and learning the behavior of mantas and sharks, you can easily photograph these majestic animals without unwanted clutter in your photos.  Are there times when a diver or bubbles may enter your photo frame? Yes, this is unavoidable, but it's the exception to the normal dive. Be aware of your surrounding, be familiar with your photographic and scuba gear, and you will be rewarded with amazing photos.

Scuba X Travel Adventures selected divers who are suited for a 10-day advanced liveaboard dive trip that is 250 miles from the mainland, in an area that can be unforgiving of mistakes, and most importantly, SXT Adventures invited divers who can get along with others in a confined space.

The food, including pre-breakfast snacks, breakfast, snacks, lunch, snacks, dinner, and more snacks, served on the Valentina, is comparable to a high-end restaurant.  And yes, I meant to note snacks that many times...

The Divemasters of the Valentina are well-versed in their environment and provided a detailed dive briefing, followed by a second dive briefing on our respective zodiac once we had separated into our smaller dive groups (generally 6 divers per zodiac).

If you're a new diver or an experienced diver, I highly recommend booking your next trip with SXT Adventures and Scuba Schools of America.

tom A.

What a blast we all had! Thank you Niki for making sure everything was scheduled perfectly and top notch. We had a crazy fun adventure just as planned. You thought of everything even my son with limited access was totally taken care of and able to do it all. Thanks again for an amazing adventure.

Suzette R.

Another Epic Adventure with Scuba X Travel
This is my second adventure with Scuba X Travel. Both trips (Galapagos and Socorro Islands) were absolutely amazing and exceeded my highest expectations.
Nicolena Berry, owner of Scuba X travel, makes traveling effortless and creates unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. She has connections all over the world and only works with the most outstanding dive boats and dive masters.
My most recent trip that I took to Socorro Island in Mexico was out of this world. We dove with large Oceanic Manta Rays on every dive, enjoyed dolphins, turtles, thousands of fish, schools of Hammerheads, Galapagos, Silver Tip, Silky and White Tip Sharks. I even saw my first Tiger Shark.
As a solo traveler, I now have a family that shares my passion for diving and helps me travel safely. I highly recommend Scuba X Travel if you are looking for the most amazing dive experiences, fun people to hang out with and thrilling adventure destinations all over the world.