Dive Review of Solmar V in
Mexico (Western)/Socorro Islands

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Solmar V, Mar, 2012, by Mary Marshall, CA, US ( Reviewer 5 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 6712.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This was our first trip to the Socorro Islands, and we had a wonderful time despite less than optimal water conditions. There was more surge and less viz than other recent trips. Also, our group wasn't among the lucky few who saw the schools of dolphins and hammerheads...it just depended where you were and when you entered. But, we LOVED the locations, particularly Roca Partida. Amazing profusion of sharks and mantas - more than we've seen on any single trip. Interesting lava formations underwater. And, lots of varied fish, eels and octopus. The crew was just about the best we've experienced in 25 years of liveaboards. They went out of their way to make the trip the best it could be. Our dive guide, Daniel, took great photos of us underwater, and he was an expert guide. The food was plentiful - warm snacks right after dives. The ship is beautifully appointed, and the dive deck is large and uncrowded. Safety was very much emphasized. Bring your Dramamine or patches if you're prone to seasickness. The 24-hour crossing from and back to Cabo was pretty bumpy. Here's my video from the trip - it gives a good idea what it was like. Search on YouTube for: "Socorro Islands Diving Adventure On Board the Solmar V - Mantas, Sharks and more!"
Websites	Solmar V Solmar V
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Hawaii, multiple Caribbean, Egypt, Indonesia, Galapagos, Fiji, Palau, California
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	surge, currents
Water Temp	71-75°F / 22-24°C	Wetsuit Thickness	7
Water Visibility	40-60 Ft/ 12-18 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	depth limits, remaining air. Good system for checking in after dives on white board.
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	Squadrons
Dolphins	1 or 2	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals	N/A	Tropical Fish
Small Critters	N/A	Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	Very large camera table, dedicated camera rinse tank, expert handling by crew in pangas, good technical advice and support

Subscriber's Comments

By Maria Chapman in TX, US at Sep 26, 2012 10:02 EST

Very nicely done, great info with good commentary.

By report author: Mary Marshall in CA, US at Sep 27, 2012 19:01 EST

Thank you! If you happen to look at my video on YouTube, please share it with your friends online...I'm trying to win a repeat trip, and number of view and comments on YouTube count. Another plus about the Solmar V is that they run this video contest every year.

By Nick Ferris in CO, US at Sep 29, 2012 22:35 EST

Water temperature is important and evidently varies a lot with the seasons at Socorro, so why not tell the readers WHEN the reporter's trip took place?

By report author: Mary Marshall in CA, US at Sep 30, 2012 02:07 EST

OOPS - this was my first review and I didn't notice where to put the date. We were on the Solmar V March 13-21, 2012 (which is written at the front of my YouTube video about the trip, if you take a look at it.)

By Maria Chapman in TX, US at Sep 30, 2012 10:48 EST

It also appears at the very top of the page, before the name of the report's author and their location.

By report author: Mary Marshall in CA, US at Sep 30, 2012 11:42 EST

Thanks...does anyone know a way I can alter my review to make the date appear at the top, which will be more useful for readers?

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Dive Review of Solmar V in Mexico (Western)/Socorro Islands

Solmar V, Mar, 2012,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subscriber's Comments

Dive Review of Solmar V in
Mexico (Western)/Socorro Islands