Overview

The Solmar V is a luxury liveaboard departing from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. She travels with a crew of 10 and a maximum of 22 divers. 

ACCOMMODATION

The interior of the Solmar V is outfitted in brass, rich mahogany, granite table tops and is carpeted throughout. The salon comfortably seats all guests and offers a large-screen HDTV, VCR, DVD player and stereo system.  

There are two cabin types on the Solmar V - Superior and Standard and all are below deck.  Superior cabins are in the middle of the boat and slightly larger than the Standard cabins.  Standard cabins include the same amenities as the Superior cabins but are slightly smaller and located from the middle of the boat forward.  Each cabin features air conditioning with individual controls, bathroom, sink and shower, air conditioning, TV/DVD player plus top-of-the-line 'pillow-top' mattresses and non-allergenic down alternative pillows and comforters. 

Bathroom and dive deck towels are provided as are basic toiletries.

SPECIFICATION

Length: 34m, Breadth: 8m, Engines: 2, Generators: 3, Construction Material: Steel, Desalination: 1600l / day.  

Two main engines and three full-time generators power the Solmar V to a top cruising speed of 11 knots. Twin compressors with cascade storage for fast filling provide divers with an endless air supply and quick fills between dives.

Onboard voltage is 110 AC. There are also a number of 220 AC charging stations inside and outside. 2 camera rinse tanks on dive deck and large camera table with air gun. 

NAVIGATION / SAFETY

The Solmar V is fitted with side scanning sonar and multiple radar systems. Life jackets, Life rafts, Fire system, Satellite Telephone, Oxygen and First Aid are also available.

DivING

The diving is done from both the pangas and the larger Solmar V, depending on the dive site and sea conditions. Typically the divers are divided up into three groups, each with their own Dive Guide. Each panga has a sturdy, custom ladder so getting in and out of the water is easy.

When diving directly from the Solmar V, there are entry / exit ladders located at the rear corners of the ship providing access to the dive platform.

Schedules & prices

Dive info

The wild, remote and exhilarating Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico are famous for their big animal encounters.

Commonly known as the Socorro - they are located in the Tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean, approximately 250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, at the tip of the Baja peninsula. Socorro is just one of this group of islands which comprise of San Benedicto, Roca Partida and Clarion.

Socorro is the largest of the four islands and was discovered by the Spanish explorer Hernando de Grijalva in 1533. It has been home to a Mexican Naval Station since 1957. 

The area is famous for close encounters with the Giant Pacific manta ray, which can grow to 22 feet across. Divers will also see many species of shark and several hammerhead cleaning stations. Whale sharks can be found between November - December and late April - May. 

Pods of wild bottlenose dolphin are encountered on a regular basis, and from January – March the islands are home to a large population of humpback whales that visit the islands to breed and calve. Divers also frequently see extremely large tuna (the world record yellowfin is from these waters), wahoo, large schools of jacks and endemic tropicals found nowhere else in the world.

Best Times to Dive

November to May reflects the Socorro liveaboard safari season. The winter months of late January to early April are the best times to see humpback whales. This is when water temperatures are at their lowest (21 to 23°C). Outside of this time it is likely to be warmer (23 to 26°C) and a better time for manta rays and sharks. This is roughly the November to early January period and most of April and May.

Climate

The climate is tropical sub humid with summer rains throughout the archipelago. Socorro Island also has a tropical semi-dry climate zone and a subtropical sub humid climate zone with occasional summer rains. 

When To Go

The Socorro trips are only available from November - May, due to weather conditions. 

Water Visibility

The visibility throughout the liveaboard season (November – May) is variable with the lowest visibility occurring during November and December when it can drop from 30-40m to around 15-20m.

FLIGHT INFORMATION 

For trips to Socorro you will need to fly to San Jose del Cabo in Mexico. There are several flight options connecting via Mexico City or the USA and an overnight in either Atlanta, San Francisco or Los Angeles is required. Direct flights to Cabo San Lucas with AeroMexico are also available. 

PASSPORTS & VISAS

British passport holders visiting Mexico as a tourist don’t need a visa, but you do need a tourist card, which you can get on arrival by completing an immigration form available at border crossings or on-board flights to Mexico. Immigration officials at the port of entry may ask to see proof of your departure plans from Mexico before allowing you entry to the country, although this isn’t a formal entry requirement.

All non-US citizens opting to travel via USA will need to obtain a US visa or Electronic System of Travel Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers without the required visa or ESTA may be denied flight boarding. Citizens of 37 countries, including most European nations, Australia, New Zealand and Japan are eligible for the ESTA and can apply for these online. There is a charge of $14 and the issued authorisation is valid for 2 years and allows for multiple entries into US territories within that period.

Always check for last minute changes in entry requirements at the Foreign & Commonwealth website. Nationalities other than British citizens should check with their own consular office.

Please always check your own entry requirements, regardless of your nationality.

Passport Validity

Passengers travelling to Mexico must have a minimum of six months validity on their passport from the date of entry into Mexico. 

Note: If you are travelling to Mexico via the US, even if you are only transiting, you must check the US entry requirements. If you do not have the correct authorisation you will not be allowed to travel to or transit through the US.

AIRPORT TAX

There’s a departure tax of circa £50 when leaving the country by air. Some airlines include this in ticket prices.

VACCINATIONS & HEALTH INFORMATION

There are no compulsory vaccinations, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and rabies. The risk of malaria in Mexico is generally very low and therefore anti-malarials are not required for travel to the Playa del Carmen or Cozumel area. 

However, there is a moderate risk in some south western parts of the country. If you intend to travel beyond the Yucatan Peninsula we would recommend that you contact a travel clinic for the most up to date advice.

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic. 

Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.

Itineraries

Please note that liveaboard itineraries can change without notice. The itinerary will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, weather, diving ability of guests & the number of other boats already present at the various dive sites. All dive sites visited are subject to weather conditions and are at the discretion of your dive guides and vessel captain.

Socorro Islands liveaboards embark from Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula and usually take around 24hrs to reach the islands.

Solmar V Socorro Island Itinerary

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