conradb212
Registered
We just got back from an eight-day dive trip on the Solmar V live-aboard to the Islas Revillagigedos, better known as the Socorro islands.
We flew from Sacramento to San Jose del Cabo on US Air on US Air, stayed overnight at the Solmar-owned Quintae del Sol hotel in Cabo San Lucas (much recommended: nice, clean, large rooms, inexpensive (US$60)).
Solmar crew picked us up for trip to Cabo Marina to board the 112-foot Solmar V, a sleek, elegant vessel with 10 crew and a max of 22 passengers (we had 21). Lounge/salon on main deck very elegant, like a pub. All brass, dark wood, stained glass.
12 staterooms on lower decks, all quite small with upper and lower bunks. All have private bathrooms, with shower/toilet combo. Little room for storage, enough outlets, excellent A/C throughout the vessel. Excellent water pressure and flushing, enough hot water. Even with full boat there's enough room in lounge and on dive deck. Nitrox onboard (US$125/trip) and highly recommended due to average depth of dives.
Crossing to San Benedicto islands (about 250 miles) takes 22+ hours and the fairly narrow Solmar V tends to roll a bit side-to-side, so those prone to sea sickness, medicate yourself.
5 dives at 2.5 sq-mile volcanic San Benedicto (Fondeadoro, Boiler, Cape Fear) colder than expected (66F), viz mediocre, but saw first giant mantas.
3 dives at 50 sq-mile Socorro after 35 mile crossing from San Benedicto. Water mid-70s, mantas, dolphins, sharks. Inspection by Mexican naval crew who have a small station in otherwise uninhabited volcanic island.
Overnight crossing to Roca Partida, another 85 miles into the ocean. It's a twin rock sitting in 220 feet of water, sticking out by some 90 feet. The sense of remoteness here is intense, diving is off pangas, water was mid 70s, many white tips, much life, surge, impressive wall all around the rock. According to DMs, less life than they normally see.
Return to Socorro for four more dives (Cabo Pearce, Punta Tosca, Roca O'Neal), then back to San Benedicto for final four dives (El Canon, Cape Fear).
Diving is either off the Solmar V (easy, with excellent dive deck and ladder system) or from the two pangas. The pangas always patrol and pick you up if you miss the anchor line. Overall, viz less than expected (20-100 feet), scenery spectacular, most dives around 100 feet. Giant manta encounters absolutely thrilling. Some divers saw two whale sharks and groups of hammerheads. Dolphins occasionally played with us, but this trip is about mantas.
Excellent crew (all Mexican, all speak passable to good English), excellent food, would definitely do again. Small cabins may be an issue for the claustrophobic or physically challenged. Current, surge and depth mean this is for intermediate to advanced divers, but our wide cross-section of old and young never had a problem.
Also see my full, illustrated review of the Solmar V trip to Socorro.
We flew from Sacramento to San Jose del Cabo on US Air on US Air, stayed overnight at the Solmar-owned Quintae del Sol hotel in Cabo San Lucas (much recommended: nice, clean, large rooms, inexpensive (US$60)).
Solmar crew picked us up for trip to Cabo Marina to board the 112-foot Solmar V, a sleek, elegant vessel with 10 crew and a max of 22 passengers (we had 21). Lounge/salon on main deck very elegant, like a pub. All brass, dark wood, stained glass.
12 staterooms on lower decks, all quite small with upper and lower bunks. All have private bathrooms, with shower/toilet combo. Little room for storage, enough outlets, excellent A/C throughout the vessel. Excellent water pressure and flushing, enough hot water. Even with full boat there's enough room in lounge and on dive deck. Nitrox onboard (US$125/trip) and highly recommended due to average depth of dives.
Crossing to San Benedicto islands (about 250 miles) takes 22+ hours and the fairly narrow Solmar V tends to roll a bit side-to-side, so those prone to sea sickness, medicate yourself.
5 dives at 2.5 sq-mile volcanic San Benedicto (Fondeadoro, Boiler, Cape Fear) colder than expected (66F), viz mediocre, but saw first giant mantas.
3 dives at 50 sq-mile Socorro after 35 mile crossing from San Benedicto. Water mid-70s, mantas, dolphins, sharks. Inspection by Mexican naval crew who have a small station in otherwise uninhabited volcanic island.
Overnight crossing to Roca Partida, another 85 miles into the ocean. It's a twin rock sitting in 220 feet of water, sticking out by some 90 feet. The sense of remoteness here is intense, diving is off pangas, water was mid 70s, many white tips, much life, surge, impressive wall all around the rock. According to DMs, less life than they normally see.
Return to Socorro for four more dives (Cabo Pearce, Punta Tosca, Roca O'Neal), then back to San Benedicto for final four dives (El Canon, Cape Fear).
Diving is either off the Solmar V (easy, with excellent dive deck and ladder system) or from the two pangas. The pangas always patrol and pick you up if you miss the anchor line. Overall, viz less than expected (20-100 feet), scenery spectacular, most dives around 100 feet. Giant manta encounters absolutely thrilling. Some divers saw two whale sharks and groups of hammerheads. Dolphins occasionally played with us, but this trip is about mantas.
Excellent crew (all Mexican, all speak passable to good English), excellent food, would definitely do again. Small cabins may be an issue for the claustrophobic or physically challenged. Current, surge and depth mean this is for intermediate to advanced divers, but our wide cross-section of old and young never had a problem.
Also see my full, illustrated review of the Solmar V trip to Socorro.
