Great White Sharks, 2009 Socorro

The Solmar V has just finished her annual maintenance and upgrades at the "Boatyard", and we're delighted to report she's in gleaming condition with all systems at optimal performance.

For the balance of 2008, The Solmar V schedule looks like this:

In August, September, and early October, some fabulous encounters with Great White Sharks (cage diving) off the island of Guadalupe. Five day trips, departures via Ensenada, air service via San Diego.

In October, we feature our regular live-aboard dive trip in the Sea of Cortez. This is the only trip of each year where it's possible to dive a week in the Sea of Cortez and also join us the following week for a Socorro trip. 

On October 31st, we'll have our season opener and return to the Socorro Islands for our Fall 08 cruises, as well as looking forward to Humpback Whale Season in early 2009.

Except for the occassional cancellation, all 2008 trips are booked except for Great Whites (see below), but we do have spots open for Socorro, 2009. Giant Mantas, seven different types of sharks, and Whale Sharks or Humpack Whales depending on the month. World class big animal diving, and you don't have to travel halfway around the world to find it! Please call or email regarding trip availability in 2009. We'd love to see you onboard.  

Planning Ahead... Socorro Islands are Close
Save Travel Time, $$, On Your Next Dive Trip

With fuel prices soaring, and airlines increasingly under pressure to raise fares, please remember just how close the Socorro Islands (The Revillagigedos Archipelago is the official name) are to the U.S.
You depart from Cabo San Lucas, just two hours from Los Angeles, with convenient air connections from just about anywhere in the United States. You board the boat, and make the 240 mile cruise to the uninhabited islands of Socorro and San Benedicto, plus the "Cathedral of the The Sea", Roca Partida. So, when planning your next "big" diving adventure, make sure you pencil in a visit with our Giant Mantas, one of the most unique diving experiences in the world. With wing spans of more than 20 feet on the big ones, these are underwater flying "bombers", yet approach divers without fear to within just a few feet. And, save some travel time, and airfare $$, while you enjoy the diving!   

Few Spaces Open, Great White Trips, 2008

Ever dream of coming face to face with a Great White Shark? Over the last few years, hundreds of divers have shot pictures and videos of these magnificent sharks from the Solmar V on Guadalupe Island, Mexico.

The island, just 180 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico, has become the world's best spot to view Great Whites consistently. Our partners, Great White Adventures, bring their unique shark diving cages and "Hookah" system, plus supply tips on how to use them to view the Great Whites. Shark Trips are 5 days, making them a perfect late summer / early fall getaway.

Two cages are used at the stern of the Solmar V, and divers rotate in / out of the cages on an hourly basis. Plus there's a third cage, the "Submersible", which is lowered to approximately 20 ft. to get a different perspective of Great White interaction. The Solmar V was the first vessel to introduce this unique way of interacting with Great Whites at Guadalupe.

Please call our office or email us for availability. 

Breaking News: There have been recent Mexican government restrictions about Great White Shark diving permits at Guadalupe Island. These may have affected some operators, but The Solmar V, with our years of experience and contacts, has all of the permits necessary to conduct trips and shark diving expeditions on the island. Business as usual.  

The ORIGINAL 2008 YouTube VIDEO CONTEST

This year we're sponsoring another YouTube Video Contest, and the winner gets a free trip to Socorro.
The 2007 Video Contest was a great hit, so we'd like to do it again. All you have to do is create a video (using pictures or video footage taken on the Solmar V) and post it to the popular YouTube Website. Remember, you can create a "video" using still photos, titles, and captions as well as regular video clips. There's more complete info on exactly how to do this on our web site.

Please make sure to mention Solmar V in the YouTube title and description so that viewers will be able to find and vote on your video. After all the videos are posted, the public will then vote on their favorites and decide the winner. The contest will run thoughout 2008, and we'll be posting updates regularly.  
Click here for more complete details, and see to videos already entered for this year.

SOLMAR V
P.O. Box 529, Topanga, CA 90290
Toll Free: 1-866-591-4906, CA and Int: (310)455-3600
(Office Hours are Mon - Fri, 9-5, West Coast U.S.Time)
Contact us by email

ABOUT SOLMAR V eNews: This is an educational and news service provided by Solmar V. It is sent only by permission to those divers who have requested it via the services of WaterPath Electronic Publishing.

ALL EMAIL RECIPIENTS ARE AUTOMATICALLY ELIGIBLE FOR AN ANNUAL GRAND PRIZE OF A FREE WEEK ABOARD THE SOLMAR V ON A SEA OF CORTEZ TRIP.
The drawing takes place in December 2007 and the winner will be notified by email.
All email addresses and names are strictly confidential.

Just Two Hours by Air from Los Angeles...