Wanted to take a moment to report on our LDS's recent trip on the Solmar V to the Socorro Islands. It was an amazing experience and one that I highly recommend for divers wanting to see lots of big stuff. There is also lots of huge schools of fish, but no soft coral or small stuff (though one of our group swears he saw a blennie).
You're entrance to the boat is a greeting from the captain and crew, then you unload your scuba equipment on the dive deck so they can pack away your big bag. It takes a while to check-in where you get your room and your dive station. All briefings on boat safety and protocol as well as each dive briefing were very detailed and informative.
After a 24 hour boat ride, a number of our group did not feel well at all, we reached the first island and did our check-out dive. Those prone to sea sickness were never quite right the whole trip, but said they wouldn't do it any other way. They smiled the whole trip or went to lay down without complaining ever. Our LDS group was 14 and we made great new friends of the other 8 (two each from Canada, US, Denmark, and Mexico/Costa Rica). Not great visibility and an uneventful check-out dive. Next, we went to Socorro Island for a 3 dive day. We had three mantas swim overhead few times and saw a few types of sharks, but , again, not great visibility nor a wow factor. We began talking among ourselves about, "Was this it? Good, but not amazing". Due to good weather forecasts, we only spent one day at Socorro and headed to Roca Partida. In the words of my two kids, Oh My God! Visibility was much better, schools of sharks: Galapagos, Silver and White tips and Hammer Heads. A large black Manta was around for a day. We split into 3 groups each headed by an instructor. The most amazing part was the mom and baby humpback whale who stayed all three days while we were there. The crew let us vote to stay an extra day at Roca. To dive and snorkel with these creatures was amazing. Only when the male escort was around did the three move away after our getting close and viewing for more than 5 minutes. On day three mom ditched the escort and let us hang around for much longer periods of time. Our dive instructors, Dave, Daniel, and Eric (two of which are marine biologists) were so amazed to have these types of encounters that they were beaming the whole time and let us drive around in the pangas after a dive to continue snorkeling with the mom and baby...baby was over 20 feet and mom was a good 60 feet.
My other highlight was our small group swimming out to the blue with Daniel, our guide, and coming upon a pod of between 25-40 dolphins. I counted 20, Daniel said he counted 40. They played in front of us, spun with Daniel when he spun and "presented" themselves to me by coming up and showing me their stomach then fading back down into the depth. 20 minutes of pure, amazing fun. We were so glad we came across them about half way through our dive so we had plenty of bottom time left.
Food: For me it as excellent. Not buffet. Breakfast cooked to order including french toast and pancakes. Truly tasty soups with lunch and very nice dinners with dessert. My vegetarian spouse was able to work with them to have a good selection of choices as was a vegan vegetarian in the group.
Crew worked so hard it was scary, but also became part of the group. They ate where we ate just a bit after we were served, so we chatted throughout the meal and post meal. They joined card games and just spend lots of time engaged with us. We took many of them out to dinner after we returned to port for the last night. What an amazing group of guys who were just a pleasure to hang out and dive with.
I've attached a few pics. Make your way to the Socorro Island if you can someday, especially if you like big fish/mammals. I would travel anywhere with the crew of the Solmar V and would stay on the Solmar V anytime, anywhere.
Rob
You're entrance to the boat is a greeting from the captain and crew, then you unload your scuba equipment on the dive deck so they can pack away your big bag. It takes a while to check-in where you get your room and your dive station. All briefings on boat safety and protocol as well as each dive briefing were very detailed and informative.
After a 24 hour boat ride, a number of our group did not feel well at all, we reached the first island and did our check-out dive. Those prone to sea sickness were never quite right the whole trip, but said they wouldn't do it any other way. They smiled the whole trip or went to lay down without complaining ever. Our LDS group was 14 and we made great new friends of the other 8 (two each from Canada, US, Denmark, and Mexico/Costa Rica). Not great visibility and an uneventful check-out dive. Next, we went to Socorro Island for a 3 dive day. We had three mantas swim overhead few times and saw a few types of sharks, but , again, not great visibility nor a wow factor. We began talking among ourselves about, "Was this it? Good, but not amazing". Due to good weather forecasts, we only spent one day at Socorro and headed to Roca Partida. In the words of my two kids, Oh My God! Visibility was much better, schools of sharks: Galapagos, Silver and White tips and Hammer Heads. A large black Manta was around for a day. We split into 3 groups each headed by an instructor. The most amazing part was the mom and baby humpback whale who stayed all three days while we were there. The crew let us vote to stay an extra day at Roca. To dive and snorkel with these creatures was amazing. Only when the male escort was around did the three move away after our getting close and viewing for more than 5 minutes. On day three mom ditched the escort and let us hang around for much longer periods of time. Our dive instructors, Dave, Daniel, and Eric (two of which are marine biologists) were so amazed to have these types of encounters that they were beaming the whole time and let us drive around in the pangas after a dive to continue snorkeling with the mom and baby...baby was over 20 feet and mom was a good 60 feet.
My other highlight was our small group swimming out to the blue with Daniel, our guide, and coming upon a pod of between 25-40 dolphins. I counted 20, Daniel said he counted 40. They played in front of us, spun with Daniel when he spun and "presented" themselves to me by coming up and showing me their stomach then fading back down into the depth. 20 minutes of pure, amazing fun. We were so glad we came across them about half way through our dive so we had plenty of bottom time left.
Food: For me it as excellent. Not buffet. Breakfast cooked to order including french toast and pancakes. Truly tasty soups with lunch and very nice dinners with dessert. My vegetarian spouse was able to work with them to have a good selection of choices as was a vegan vegetarian in the group.
Crew worked so hard it was scary, but also became part of the group. They ate where we ate just a bit after we were served, so we chatted throughout the meal and post meal. They joined card games and just spend lots of time engaged with us. We took many of them out to dinner after we returned to port for the last night. What an amazing group of guys who were just a pleasure to hang out and dive with.
I've attached a few pics. Make your way to the Socorro Island if you can someday, especially if you like big fish/mammals. I would travel anywhere with the crew of the Solmar V and would stay on the Solmar V anytime, anywhere.
Rob
