Saffire Freycinet
NOW ONLY A NITROX BOAT - no more air!!
Solmar V is a 112-foot deluxe liveaboard cruising Mexican Pacific waters with seasonally different destinations. Onboard you will find twelve cabins, all with private bathrooms, individually controlled air-conditioning, and all new soft furnishings including pillow-top mattresses and non-allergenic down alternative pillows and comforters. The superior cabins feature a double lower and single upper berth, the standard cabins upper and lower singles. The common areas are beautifully outfitted with rich mahogany, brass accents and granite tabletops. The spacious salon has a large-screen television and stereo system, and a computer which is available for guest use.
The large dive deck has individual storage stations, a huge camera table and charging station, four rinse bins, and two fresh-water showers with fresh towels provided. Diving is done either directly from the dive deck or from two pangas with sturdy side ladders. From November to June, Solmar V heads from Los Cabos for the Socorro Islands for manta rays, sharks, dolphins and the occasional migrating humpback whale.
Boat Specifications
- Year built:1980
- Year renovated:2006
- Length:112 feet
- Top speed:12 knots
- Cruising speed:10 knots
- Engines:2
- Max guests:22
- Number of cabins:12
- Number of bathrooms:13
- Tenders:2 x 21' achilles w/60 HP Mercury
- Water capacity:2 x 1600 gallons per day
- Fuel capacity:30000
- Freshwater maker:2 x 1600 gallons per day
Socorro Islands Itinerary
This archipelago is probably the best place in the world to dive with big animals: giant mantas, humpback whales, whale sharks, false killer whales, playful dolphins & many different species of sharks. Plus spectacular landscapes and the best crew in the world!
Embarkation
Solmar V departs from Los Cabos on the tip of the Baja Peninsular.
Trip Duration
A typical Giant Mantas of Socorro itinerary lasts for 8 nights on board but there are periodic 11 and even 13 night special itineraries.
Arrival
After arriving in Los Cabos you will be taken to a hotel for the night to get some rest after the flight and prepare for your trip! You will be picked up the next day and taken to the boat. Solmar V usually departs around 16:00 and begins the journey to San Benedicto overnight.
The number of days you spend at both locations will depend on sighting and the prevailing weather conditions.
Socorro and San Benedicto
Your check dive is usually made at San Benedicto. This is just the start of all the action. Large rays and white tip sharks are common, but these are only some of the area's smaller inhabitants.
Socorro and San Benedicto are the main manta points in the Revillagigedo marine park. The manta come in to the rocky reefs to be cleaned by the endemic Clarion angel fish. So just jump in and wait for the show to unfold.
These manta really do seem to enjoy the presence of divers and it is not uncommon for them to play or barrel roll in the bubbles. Keep your eyes out for the special black manta, quite unlike any other manta you have ever seen!
The number of days you spend at both locations will depend on sighting and the prevailing weather conditions.
Roca Partida
Roca Partida is all about shark sightings. This tiny spit of a rock in the middle of nowhere is home to plenty of pelagics. Galapagos sharks, silkies, silver tips and hammerhead are all seen around the rock. These are healthy shark populations, especially the white tips that rest in alcoves along the wall.
The afternoon dive is a must do dive with balls of cottonmouth jacks schooling inbetween the sharks. You can even find bait balls of chad mackerel just off the wall, which draw even more sharks into the action. Watch out for manta, who can come to the wall to investigate divers. This is adrenalin diving at its very best.
Disembarkation
At the end of your time in the Revillagigedo marine park, the boat will make it's voyage back to San Cabo. This takes approx 22 hours and is made overnight. The final night on board will be back at the harbour in San Cabo. Why not hop ashore and try some of the local cuisine or bars.
Breakfast is served and then your final disembark is no later than 9am. If you flight goes later in the day you will be able to use the facilities at the Solmar Suites hotel. You will then need to arrange locally for a shuttle to the airport (approx $17).
