Socorro

Planning on diving Socorro soon...Anyone have an opinion on which is a better operation...Solmar or Nautilus Explorer?

Thanks!

Mike

I posted this about my experience on the Nautilus Explorer in Guadalupe:

I went with Nautilus Explorer in September and had mixed feelings. The shark action was great and most of the staff was great. The food was pretty bad. There wasn't much air circulation inside. They let scientist that live on the island use the cages which meant less time for the guests. Several of the staff made negative comments about my Sea Shepherd shirt and how it was a bad organization, then went on to beg for donations to start their own conservation fly over group.

The night we arrived, the Solamar V was being sent back to port by the Mexican Navy for chumming the water. Supposedly it was their first night there and the Captain was arrested.

Even though it was good diving, I would probably not do a live aboard with Nautilus again. Maybe the Aggressors spoiled me too much.

I've been on the Nautilus a number of times.

I can give it a very high recommendation. Very well run operation.

I think the service and food are first rate.

Never been on the Solmar. It is a beautiful boat. It got a new owner several years a go and is suppose to be a well run operation.

going to soccoro on the solmar from 22 to 29th. ill be sure to let you know how it was when i get back

i went to socorro last year on the nautilus explorer. i thought it was a well run operation and would go there again with them without hesitation.

Another positive vote for the Nautilus Explorer, but I've never been on the Solmar V so can't compare. Very roomy and comfy boat, except the dive deck which is a little tight getting suited up. The food was fine on our trip, even though we had a substitute chef. NE has a metal launch and a rubber inflatible they were using on our trip.

The NE has one huge advantage over the Solmar V in my book: HOT TUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since the water's not that warm in the Socorros, it came in handy.

never been on the explorer but have done a number of trips on the Solmar. I have been very impressed with the make over of the operation once the new owner took over. The rooms are small but its a very well run operation with most of the crew having many years working on the boat. I think the dive operation has much more experience in those waters than the explorer. Regardless of which you pick its a very fine place to dive. You never know what you might see (ran into a pod of orcas years ago on the return to Cabo)

I have been on both boats, but only on the Solmar V in Socorro (twice). I would highly recommend the Solmar V for Socorro.

The Nautilus was also very well run, but the trip I was on was up in Alaska.

In general, I'm told that the Nautilus is run as a more strict operation than in the Solmar V (enforced dive time limits, etc.). I haven't verified this myself, but you may want to check with both operators to see what they say. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

I did a Nautilus Explorer trip to Socorro a few years ago. Great boat but it is not designed to operate in rough water when it comes to supporting diving ops. You must board the small boats off the stern of the Explorer. This is a dangerous operation because the motion of the larger boat is totally different from that of the small dive tenders. The motion patterns are typically out of sync & present numerous occasions for accidents to happen. The Solmar on the other hand is designed to board tenders of the sides of the vessel where relative motion is much more in sync, providing a much safer situation. I observed this first hand during my trip while at Roca Partida where the Solmar was also diving on a rather rough day at sea.

for what its worth. Just had a report from the last trip the Solmar did. Rather cold water for this time of year 79 on the surface. Six whale sharks on Roca Partida, 30+ silvertips etc etc (roca partida). Sounds good. We are on the Nov 13 trip this week.

I went on the Solmar a few years ago before it was redone. We had a very good trip, excellent crew. Probably the best food I've had on any liveaboard, really good.

Tiny cabins and not much of a general hang out area, other than ding room. Roomy dive deck. No nitrox then, but I think they have it now. Kind of a tough ride out, but not terrible.

I'm going on NE Jan 3rd for a 10 day trip to Socorros, so it'll be interesting to compare.

Jack

solmar now has nitrox. That was a big change for the best

Thanks to all for their responses and keep them coming please!

Still a tough decision!

SOLMAR - $3600 for Superior bunk, free beer and wine, safer transfer to tender, more experience, better grub?

NE - $3,000 for Stateroom, 30 micro brews but not free, roomier, HOT TUB, strict dive limits, less experience

What about crew photo experience? Space for cameras? and what am I missing?

Thanks!

Mike

I hate to confuse the options, but Sea Escape also goes to Socorro. I just returned from a trip to Guadalupe on Sea Escape and was very pleased with the operation (no hot tubs though!).

I don't know where the rumor of "strict dive limits" comes from. I was on the NE in Socorro a few years ago and am signed up for another trip next Jan. The dive times were limited only by your gas consumption and experience. That being said they make it very clear that you are diving in the middle of the ocean and in the event of a serious accident rescue options are limited. The nearest chamber is in the military base on Socorro and it isn't at all clear that the military will let you use it. If not the nearest chamber is 24 hours away with no air transport available. They encourage conservative diving but don't restrict you in any sense.

I have only been on the Solmar V and would recommend it. Actually I went on it twice last year.

Alex

I don't know where the rumor of "strict dive limits" comes from. I was on the NE in Socorro a few years ago and am signed up for another trip next Jan.

Steve what dates? I'm on the 10 day trip Jan 5th.

Jack

I am on the next trip after you, leaving on the 16th.

This is the response I received from Solmar V RE their recent trouble.

There have been recent Mexican government restrictions about Great White Shark diving permits at Guadalupe Island. Even though our permits are current and in order, unfortunately, through a misunderstanding between the Mexican Navy and the Solmar V, we were forced to return to harbor early on one trip this past season. However, this misunderstaning was resolved and we were back to operating business as usual on the rest of our 2009 trips to Guadalupe Island.

We were stopped at the end of our trip and the boat searched. Took about 2-3 hours and seemed to achieve nothing on the Navys behalf.

This is the response I received from Solmar V RE their recent trouble.

 

 

There have been recent Mexican government restrictions about Great White Shark diving permits at Guadalupe Island. Even though our permits are current and in order, unfortunately, through a misunderstanding between the Mexican Navy and the Solmar V, we were forced to return to harbor early on one trip this past season. However, this misunderstaning was resolved and we were back to operating business as usual on the rest of our 2009 trips to Guadalupe Island.

 

We were stopped at the end of our trip and the boat searched. Took about 2-3 hours and seemed to achieve nothing on the Navys behalf.

Yes, this is the week I was at Guadalupe with Nautilus. The Nautilus crew said that the Solmar V was at the start of their trip and was busted for chumming the water at night (we arrived at the Island around 9 pm). Not sure where they got their information from but they probably know when the Solamar runs their trips.