Solmar V, Mexico
- from $ 217 / day
- 8.7 Fabulous
- 36 Verified Reviews 36 Verified Reviews
- Nitrox available Flexible Booking
Highlights
The M/V Solmar V liveaboard schedules year-round diving cruises in Mexico to the Socorro Islands and Guadalupe Island. Known for having some of the most experienced dive liveaboard crew in Mexico, the Solmar V caters to 22 guests in 12 cabins. Staterooms offer the choice of 2 designations, superior and standard, and single cabin options for solo travelers. Each stateroom features individual climate control, a private bathroom with a shower, a pillow-top mattress, non-allergenic down alternative pillows, and comforters. Superior cabins are located in the middle of the boat and are slightly larger. With its rich mahogany and granite table tops, the salon provides comfortable seating, a large-screen television, and a full entertainment system. The solarium is partially covered with sun loungers for relaxing in between dives.
The Solmar V offers exciting dive itineraries with some of the world's most giant pelagics, including cage diving with great white sharks at Guadalupe Island and scuba diving with humpback whales at the Socorro Islands. The Revillagigedo Archipelago offers all the big-fish encounters a diver could wish for. With over 10 shark species, playful dolphins, and even the chance to dive with orcas, the Socorro Islands will deliver a dive trip to remember for a lifetime. Diving from the Solmar V is easy as the vessel offers a spacious dive deck with a multi-level camera table, rinse tanks, and freshwater showers. There is also a dive tender to make getting to and from the dive sites easy.
Guests can also book a unique experience on the SPOC (Self Propelled Ocean Cage) onboard Solmar V liveaboard. This underwater vehicle will allow guests to get up close and personal with Great White Sharks in their environment. Offering more flexibility than a shark cage alone.
Note: As of November 2023, the Solmar V will be a Nitrox-Only liveaboard.
Book your Solmar V liveaboard easily online today.
Choose your departure date
Included: Port Fees, Hotel Transfer, Alcoholic Beverages, Alcoholic Drinks at Dinner, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Wine with Dinner, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels.
Required Extras: 16% VAT, Travel Insurance, Chamber Fees (15 USD per trip), Fuel Surcharge (200-300 USD), National Park Fees (87 USD per day).
Optional Extras: Gratuities, Airport Transfer (20-35 USD), Nitrox, Nitrox Course (235-320 USD), Private Dive Guide, Scuba Diving Courses, Beach Towels.
Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.
* Extra fees are shown per person.
Pay by bank transfer or online with Best Price Guaranteed
Boat features
Food & Drinks
If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.
Diving
The crew speaks English, French, and Spanish.
Gear Rental
There is diving gear available on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. See below for further details on inclusions and pricing. Show prices.
Drawings & Vessel Layouts
Accommodation
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
Boat Navigation and Safety
Solmar V Reviews
- 8.7 Fabulous
- 36 Verified Reviews
- Vessel 7.4
- Crew 9.0
- Food 9.5
- Diving 9.2
- Value 8.2
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Lawrence D
![United States]()
United States
Very Nice
It was very pleasant. The Crew made the trip, the sea life was fabulous
- Recommended for
- The Food, The Staff, The Sea Life
- 10 Exceptional
- Tammy R
![United States]()
United States
Amazing . Everyone need to do this at least once
To see my favorite shark of all time. They are so amazing and so misunderstood. The other great part was about 2 hours out to sea the captain got a call from another boat that there was a humpback whale with a buoy and fishing line tangled around the pectoral fins. Since the boat has a panga they put it in the water with 2 of the dive masters from our boat picked up a diver from the other boat and they were able to untangle the humpback. The best show of true compassion these guys have for all of the creatures of the sea. Will be back!!
- Recommended for
- Sharks The crew and Margaritas
- 9.2 Superb
- Stacey W
![United States]()
United States
Great animal encounters with the big guys that get your heart racing or leave you in awe.
Socorro is a pristine area that has not been impacted by plastic pollution and doesn't seem to be impacted by global warming. The Solmar V crew are so enjoyable and genuinely want all divers to have a nature-focused experience while being extremely safety conscientious. They love their jobs and really support keeping Socorro special. Being face-to-face with curious dolphins and admiring the beauty of a giant manta is difficult to describe - you have to experience it yourself. So glad I had the opportunity!
- Recommended for
- Mantas, dolphins and sharks (hammerhead, Galapagos, silky, tiger, white tip, silver tip, whale)
- 10 Exceptional
- David L
![United States]()
United States
Absolutely incredible!
This was a bucket list item for me, I was not disappointed one bit. The boat was amazing, the crew was extremely well prepared, professional and on point with absolutely everything. This will now be an annual trip for me now.
- Recommended for
- The sharks, the crew and the service. All top notch!
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Becky B
![United States]()
United States
Great Crew and amazing dives.
Made some amazing friends, saw some amazing marine life with very close interactions.
- Recommended for
- The Food, the dives, and the new friends made.
- 8.0 Very good
- buford M
![United States]()
United States
Beautiful blue water but cold.
Close encounters with giant mantas, dolphins, and silver tip sharks.
- Recommended for
- Crew, other divers, dolphins
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Ralf U
![United States]()
United States
Awsome ! Trip of a Lifetime
Diving with friendly Mantas and Dolphins. They will come and check you out.
- Recommended for
- Dive Locations, Crew, Boat
- 8.4 Very good
- Jason K
![United States]()
United States
Great crew!
We had a lovely interaction encounter with dolphins on a dive!
- Recommended for
- Crew, plenty of awesome documentaries and movies to pass the time.
- 6.8 Review score
- Lynn M
![United States]()
United States
The SoalmarV is in poor condition and need to be updated
Hammerheads, white tip/silver tip sharks and whale shark. The mantas could have been if the divers were prevented from chasing them. I would not recommend this dive boat.
- Recommended for
- Dive sights
- 9.2 Superb
- Morgan A
![United States]()
United States
Accommodating crew, skillful dive guides, open bar!
Seeing a whale shark up close.
- Recommended for
- The animals, the guides, the food
- 7.6 Good
- Lisa K
![United States]()
United States
Amazing diving! I'm coming back!
Great group of divers and crew to share a week with- excellent camaraderie. Up close encounter with friendly dolphins we got to pet. 7-11 Mantas at one time at the Boiler! Lots of dolphins!! Lots of Mantas! Sharks and more sharks! Some people even saw a tiger shark. Schooling hammerheads. Huge schools of Jacks at Roca Partida.
- Recommended for
- Great group of divers and crew to share a week with. Up close encounter with friendly dolphins we got to pet. 7-11 Mantas at one time at the Boiler!
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Rica P
![United States]()
United States
It was a taste of great diving
Knowing i am rebooked on future trip. Thank you!
- Recommended for
- BEST - diving marine life, crew friendliness, cabins clean/comfortable.. IMPROVEMENT NEEDED-vegetarian meals often lacked protien, my guide lacked dive briefings, 1 motor for trip is a dangerous risk shouldnt take
- 9.2 Superb
- Alijohn G
![United States]()
United States
Excellent diving in the remote volcanic islands
This was the best diving I’ve experienced. Canon, Boiler, and Roca Partida were the best sites. However we were lucky with vis and weather but let me briefly talk about the boat and crew as that is controllable. The crew is incredibly professional especially divemasters. Furthermore they are very hardworking. The divemasters are also effectively a deck crew. In many ways they operate like a well oiled machine. The biggest deal was due to boat traffic during windy days - the captain burned an extra 20 hours of fuel by doubling back to island with El Boiler where we were alone then went to Roca Partida where we were 1 of 2 boats before a 30 hour trek home. That was special because it avoided timed and missed dives due to liveaboard traffic and enabled better experience for all the guests. It went from a trip where we saw everything we came for but then 2 absolutely incredible dive days. I don’t have any complaints but did notice that those with dietary restrictions may have challenges. Also the rooms are small and those in the front will be feeling the motion at nights. Should be fine - just be aware. Liquor choices are largely rail - feel free to bring your own wine / liquor for higher quality (will be doing this going forward on liveaboards) and with a long trek each way you may want it for this trip. Beer is Mexican variety. We got lucky with what we saw in April 2022. Many sharks and mantas: White tip reef shark, Silver tip reef shark, Silkie sharks, Galapagos sharks which get massive, Hammerheads, and even a Tiger shark. Mantas dancing, saw 1 of Pods of dolphins underwater (more above), Schools of tuna, Fish hunting schools (Ever see panic on a fish’s face? ) ,Pods of false killer whales (above water) and Humpbacks breaching (above water)
- Recommended for
- Diving, crew, service
- 8.4 Very good
- rick B
![United States]()
United States
Great Trip
Seeing a Manta, Tiger shark, dolphins, and schooling Hammerheads all on the same dive.
- Recommended for
- The crew, dive sites, guides
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Alexandra S
![Canada]()
Canada
Mantas and dolphins!
I am an experienced diver and have worked in the Cabo area for several years, and i had been waiting to try Socorro! Megafauna delivered - we had several dives with giants mantas, including very close interactions and Manta selfies ! The water was warmer (about 26 C) so sharks were deeper and fewer, but we still had some nice interactiosn with ammerheads, black tips and one or 2 galapagos sharks. One highlight was diving the boiler - 2 dives with almost 100% of the time with a pod of curious bottlenose dolphins! this is the longest interaction Iève ever had with dolphins whilst diving. And we snorkelled with a baitball, lots of shark action there! Bring your 7 mm, hood, gloves if you want to enjoy all of your 4 daily dives (that's what I did, not regrets!) Cabins - cozy although a bit small, very limited storage in the cabin, better to have a mesh bag when you can chuck your things at night. Food was superb, all crew was very friendly, we had about 1 crew for 2 guests so I felt service was very superior! guides are good, zodiac rides super safe and well organized, and the crew made you feel right at home! Will go again hopefully one day during whale season! Went 1st week of june 2016. Note - this is blue water diving, so as a diver I recommend you feel very comfortable with buoyancy and depth control, and use a 7 mm a few times before this trip. Cheers to the crew of Solmar V
- Recommended for
- Crew, logistics and megafauna
- 10 Exceptional
- Alan P
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Had an amazing time on the Solmar V
If you you want to see Sharks, Dolphins and Manta Rays Solmar V is the boat to go to. One of the best dives was playing with Manta Rays for a whole hour! We were so impressed we have re-booked for next year!
- Recommended for
- Boat space, Diving conditions, Great Crew
- 8.0 Very good
- martine V
![Netherlands]()
Netherlands
comming back again
this was my second time in two years on the solmar v and i will go back again. the contact with the sealife on this trip exceeds most other trips and i can only say that it is highly addictive!! giant manta s, sharks, Dolphins, whalesharks and whales!!!!!! the only negative ? thing on this boat for me is that the cabins are quite small and there is not a lot storing space in the room. but that is the only thing that was not perfect
- Recommended for
- the diving is awesome,the crew is fantastic ,addictive experience
- 7.2 Good
- Roberto C
![Mexico]()
Mexico
Good
The sharks and llegó cation of the island.
- Recommended for
- The sharks, the sharks, the island location
- 10 Exceptional
- Alan P
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
An amazing time on a great boat
Highlights include seeing Manta Rays, dolphins and sharks. Some divers had a once in a lifetime experience of seeing a baitbail.
- Recommended for
- Great dive guides, Great dive sites and good company
- 6.8 Review score
- T. Gordon G
![Canada]()
Canada
Fantastic Diving
being in a true wilderness and seeing big animals in their natural habitat
- Recommended for
- Dive sites, crew, food
- 8.8 Fabulous
- José T
![Portugal]()
Portugal
Great dives with great life
Rooms on boat too small Exaggerated Tips Service and dives excellent Very professional Crew
- Recommended for
- Dives - Crew Service - Underwater life
- 8.0 Very good
- Renato S
![Brazil]()
Brazil
Revillagigedo radical dive
Positive: Crew, animal life, dive partners Negative: Noisy and small cabin, the boat is getting too old and need to make a refreshing change
- Recommended for
- Mantas, False killer whales and the crew
- 8.4 Very good
- Alan P
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Amazing!
The abundance of Manta Rays for each dive. Being so close to dolphin interactions. Already looking to booking another trip
- Recommended for
- dolphins, manta ray, false killer whales
- 9.2 Superb
- Nathan L
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Another great trip!
Whole trip, but food choice and quality from Chef Tony was outstanding again!
- Recommended for
- The diving, the crew and the food
- 8.0 Very good
- Michael J
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Socorro islands were amazing and boat and crew were great
Diving the Socorro islands, mantas and sharks and dolphins
- Recommended for
- The diving was awesome, dive guides (Luke and Sarah) were excellent and boat crew (including Tony the chef) were also very good
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Lee B
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Great staff and great diving on the Soccoro Vortex
Hammerheads Mantas Dolphins Tiger Shark
- Recommended for
- The staff, the diving and the boats overall cleanliness
- 9.2 Superb
- Ken C
![Belgium]()
Belgium
Amazing encounters with dolphins, mantas and hammerheads.
The excellent food for all type of customers. The diversity of the dive sites and the under water live. Curious mantas and dolphins and hammerheads just above the bottom. Great fellow travellers from different parts of the world.
- Recommended for
- The Crew, mixed travel group and the underwater wildlife
- 7.6 Good
- Kit G
![Denmark]()
Denmark
Fantastic diving
Seeing the the dolphins up close, mantas, all kinds of sharks, specially the hammerheads
- Recommended for
- Spacious divedeck, great food, and fantastic diving
- 9.2 Superb
- Toralf H
![Germany]()
Germany
very good
Fishes
- Recommended for
- good crew
- 10 Exceptional
- Francisco R
![Spain]()
Spain
Unforgettable experience
Amazing trip and totally recommended. All the Crew team was super friendly and the dives were superb (tiger, hammers, white tips, giant mantas, galapagos, giant tunas, dolphins etc)
- Recommended for
- Crew, safety customer service
- 9.2 Superb
- Anna H
![Germany]()
Germany
It was Mantamaniac
Mantadance
- Recommended for
- The Team on board, the mantas and the nature
- 8.4 Very good
- Paul C
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Spectacular diving in the deep blue Pacific!
Big beasties galore - manta parties (huge & numerous), hammerheads, tigers, white-tips galore, dolphins .. the list goes on. The False Orca display as the boat left to return to port was a fitting final extravaganza!
- Recommended for
- 1. Totally professional crew - both for boat operation & diving; 2. very friendly, cheerful & friendly crew; 3. THE DIVING!
- 10 Exceptional
- Baltazar L
![Argentina]()
Argentina
Amazing!!!!!!
Unforgettable experience. The boat is very comfortable. The crew is 10 + 10 points. The dives were incredible amazing, octopus, dolphins, sharks (hammerhead, white tip, silver tip, silky, Galápagos, etc.) mantas on all dive sites, huge lobsters, among thousands of other fishes. The food is so good!!! 3 meals a day + snacks all the time. Nothing negative to say.
- Recommended for
- Food, Crew and Dive Sites!
- 8.4 Very good
- Harry M
![Bermuda]()
Bermuda
Amazing and attentive crew to accompany some fantastic dive sites.
Large schools of hammerheads on the dive, and the close encounters with friendly mantas and dolphins.
- Recommended for
- The diving, the crew, and the food.
