Instant Reader Report
on Solmar V / [same] in
Mexico (Western) Pacific / Socorro on
2003/03
by
Barbara Petrecca , MD, USA
Report Number 030903230844102

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 Bonaire, Turks & Caicos, St Thomas, Maui, Monterey (CA), Pensacola,
Hatteras, Southport, Cooper River (Charleston, SC), Bimini 

Dive Conditions

130 foot Depth Limit, No Deco Diving  

Surge and current can take time to get used to.  

Overall Rating

I was very disappointed... I know the dive conditions and marine life can
not be controlled but the emails and website are a bit misleading.   We
did see whales off in a distance but we could not get close to them as
bragged about in their emails.  There were dolphins - but they were pretty
much like the whales...  unapproachable.   I am sorry but I can see these
animals while I am on the surface at home.  No whale sharks but this was
expected as I was told right before we left by Jay that I probably
wouldn't see one.  This was alittle disheartening as the whale sharks were
part of the reason we chose the Socorro and the Solmar V.  I believed what
was written on the WebPages.  Upon my return, I read that the Galapagos
had 25 sightings of whale sharks in December along with schools of
Hammerheads showing that the El Nino was not having an effect on the life
there.  So if  "These islands have been compared to Galapagos or
Coccos in the quality of Big Animal encounters they provide and they have
in fact been called "Mexican Galapagos" (quoted from their
website) - what happened?   And speaking of Hammerheads, I believe we saw
approximately 5 (2 at Split Rock and 3 at San Benedicto) - hardly what I
would call huge schools.  We saw a few Galapagos sharks here and there. 
Split Rock did have quite a few Silver Tips which was a plus.  And of
course the Silkies were always under the boat (more on that later.)  
 
The mantas were magnificent.  The most I saw were two in the water at the
same time while diving.  However, I was told other divers saw 5 at one
time.   We did not make it to the Boiler (maybe the rest of the mantas
were there).  We were told we would be going there on the last day -
definitely by Panga if the Solmar was unable to find shelter there. 
Unfortunately we did not, nor were we given any explanation why we did not
 - we just anchored and did 4 more dives at the Canyon.  
  
Dive Master/Dive Operations - I was alittle disappointed with some of the
actions by the dive masters on board.  Their procedure of getting time and
depth information from each returning diver was frequently leaving the back
of the boat unmanned.  This made it alittle difficult for other divers to
exit the water with camera equipment.  Of the three dive masters, two were
usually in the water while one remained on deck.   
 
Remember the silkies I mentioned above - there was a reason they were
under the boat.  They were being fed.  During one dive in particular, one
of the divemasters was throwing raw fish into the water by the ladders
while divers were on the hang line.  Although Silkies seem rather mild and
remind me of nurse sharks, this feeding did make one rather aggressive and
caused concern.   During the next dive the same dive master was in the
water feeding the silkies near the hang line.  I realize it might not seem
like a major issue but it only takes one mistake to get someone bit.  
 
Thought I am not aware of the number of dive sites available on this trip,
 I found that diving the same dive site 7 times alittle much. We only did
17 dives.  I was also very disappointed about not making it to the Boiler
especially when we were told that we would definitely go there.  
 
Cuisine - They need a new chef onboard. I found that the food was not up
to the standards I would expect - hardly "gourmet meals"
mentioned on the WebPages.  They were plain and prepared poorly.  The
portion sizes, although sufficient for myself, were small for others.  If
more of the main course was available, we were unaware we could ask for
it.   Even my request for more flour tortillas at one lunch was declined. 
There were also no snacks put out after dives (something I am used to and
mentioned on your website as well) until a guest requested it.   Even
then, it was like pulling teeth to actually get it.   And what kind of
afternoon receptions were you speaking of?   It felt like we were being
"rationed" on food.   I have taken two Blackbeard Cruises (which
are similar to diving camping trips) and received better meals, both in
quality and quantity, then on the Solmar.   

I did enjoy my night at the Solmar Suites until I discovered I had paid
much more for our room than other guests from the Solmar 5.   I had to
fight with Jay for the discount I did get for the one night reservation
and I still paid approximately 25% more.   And let's not discuss the
discounted Solmar 5 rates given to those late booking guests so you could
fill the boat ($900.00 - we did get a $300 discount).

I would not recommend this liveaboard. For the money and diving --there
are much better options available... Don't be fooled by their hype.  I
wish I had read my several Chapbook's before I made my reservations. 
Solmar's response to my concerns - "you would change your mind if you
experienced the real Socorro Islands" & "I also would like
you to come back and see that we took your comments seriously, as we do
all constructive criticism, as far as the boat operations". After all
this time in the business, Solmar should have had it right on my first
trip...    

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