The Solmar V is a 112 ft. luxury liveaboard offering diving at Guadalupe Island and the Socorro Islands. She can accommodate 22 guests in 2 Single cabins, 4 Standard cabins and 6 Superior cabins. Each mahogany-detailed cabin features air conditioning with individual controls, a private head, sink and shower and a TV/DVD player for your enjoyment. All cabins have top-of-the-line Pillow-Top mattresses and down pillows. The interior of the Solmar V is outfitted in brass, rich mahogany, granite table tops and is completely carpeted. The salon comfortably seats all guests and offers a large-screen HDTV, DVD player and stereo system.
The dive deck on the Solmar V is very spacious and you won’t need to carry your tanks around at any time during your vacation. The crew will fill your tank between dives and move your gear to where it needs to be. Diving is sometimes done from the pangas and sometimes from the Solmar V, depending on the dive site and conditions. At the centre of the dive deck is a huge multi-level camera table, complete with charging stations and an air gun. There are also plenty of charging stations inside the lounge. On the dive deck there are rinse tanks for cameras. The dive deck also has two fresh water showers so you can rinse off after getting out of the water. Fluffy towels are provided and fresh drinking water is always available on the dive deck. You will be well-fed from the time you set foot on board until the time you leave. Arriving guests are greeted with snacks and a welcome Margarita. Each day early risers can start with fresh, hot coffee or tea. Before the first dive passengers are served their choice of continental or hot breakfast, both if you like. At lunchtime, divers come back to the lounge for a delicious 3-course lunch which includes fresh homemade soup, a hot entree and dessert. During the day there is always fresh fruit available, hot chocolate and a never-ending supply of guacamole. Following the afternoon dives the Chef will have snacks waiting, which leads to happy hour. There is plenty of Mexican beer and Chilean wine on board and there is no additional charge for either. If you like Tequila be sure to try Pepe’s Margaritas. In the evening there is a 3-course dinner with white and red wine.
Solmar V offers the following itineraries:
Socorro Islands (9 or 11 days)
At the Socorro Islands divers encounter the Giant Pacific Manta Rays, Dolphins, dodge seven different species of Sharks and hope to see the migrating Humpback Whales. Socorro is remote, adventure diving at its finest!
Guadalupe Island Great White Sharks (5 days)
Solmar V’s other primary destination is Isla Guadalupe – famous for its resident Great White Shark population. Guadalupe is considered the world’s best location to dive in custom-built cages with Great White Sharks due to excellent visibility – especially important for photographers. For Guadalupe trips Solmar V brings three state-of-the-art shark cages; two 4-man cages float at the surface at the back of Solmar V and one 3-man submersible cage sits at about 30 feet. For the cage dives the Solmar V uses “hookah” instead of scuba tanks so you do not need to be a certified scuba diver to enjoy Great White encounters in the surface cages. Diving is done all day, with surface cage dives 45-60 minutes long and submersible cage dives 20 minutes long. The cages have a large window with no bars that allow underwater photographers and videographers to manoeuvre their large housed cameras to capture the shark as close as possible. There’s plenty of space, allowing total freedom of movement and 360 degree panoramic views.
Prices include: Cabin accommodation on Solmar V, all diving, tanks/weights/weight belts, all meals, snacks, all beverages including alcoholic drinks and 16% Mexican Tax. For Guadalupe trips return transfers between San Diego and the vessel on the day of embarkation and disembarkation are also included.
Solmar V Video