Anyone done Peter Hughes new DiveEncounters boats?

[Karloss]

I am particularly interested in any information on the Soccoros Island and Bay Island trips. I thank you in advance for any information on these two trips.

 

[Cali_diver]

I have been on the Solmar V to the Soccoros. It has a great crew and the itinerary, depending on when you go, is great for sharks, mantas, dolphins and an occasional whaleshark. If you have specific questions ask away.

 

[OnTheSpot]

I was on the Galapagos Sky last year and so was Peter Hughes himself. We talked about the DivEncounters Fleet. It is really a cross-marketing exercise among good quality boats in good quality destinations who share similar ides about how to run things. But the operators are all independent of one another. We work with Solmar V in Mexico, WAOW in Indonesia, MV Orion in the Maldives, The Undersea Hunter group in Cocos so we can vouch that they are a good solid set of operators. Personally I would take it as a mark of quality if I saw a boat in this association.

 

[diversteve]

The MV Pearl (Bay Islands) boat is the former Utila Aggressor II re-branded. I'm guessing they do the same itinerary - start on Utila, cross over to Roatan then hit the seamounts on the return. We rode right by the boat when she was moored south a few years ago - either at the Halliburton wreck or they were diving Black Hills nearby most likely. That's one of the best shallow dives off Utila IMO. Nice boat, the owners built it new sometime in the last 5-6 years afaik.

 

[Karloss]

I have been on the Solmar V to the Soccoros. It has a great crew and the itinerary, depending on when you go, is great for sharks, mantas, dolphins and an occasional whaleshark. If you have specific questions ask away.

OK... how is the food? What is the dive deck like and what condition is the ship in? If the ship was full on your trip did it seem crowded? Thanks for all the information and input, Brian.

 

[Cali_diver]

OK... how is the food? What is the dive deck like and what condition is the ship in? If the ship was full on your trip did it seem crowded? Thanks for all the information and input, Brian.

The food was delicious. The dive deck was great as long as you didn't have stations 10-11 or 21-22, which was in the path of the guys moving the gear and the hanging wet suits. The ship is in great shape but I think the Rocio Del Mar is more spacious and comfortable in its living spaces. It was a full boat but didn't feel crowded at all. The rooms are the smallest rooms we have been in. Our DM (Danny) was great, but can't comment on the others. The diving was phenomenal!

 

[Hintermann]

The MV Pearl (Bay Islands) boat is the former Utila Aggressor II re-branded. I'm guessing they do the same itinerary - start on Utila, cross over to Roatan then hit the seamounts on the return.

I was under the impression that this was still on an "on demand" basis with mostly private groups? Have they started taking scheduled bookings yet?

 

[Brodydog]

I was under the impression that this was still on an "on demand" basis with mostly private groups? Have they started taking scheduled bookings yet?

They have it priced for individual bookings here Rates and looking here Availability it appears they take individuals and groups depending on the date.