Solmar V, one of the major liveaboard vessels that frequented the Socorro Islands southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, recently announced it had ceased operations.
The 112-foot by 23-foot (35-meter by 7-meter) vessel accommodated 22 guests and would run 9- and 11-day trips that include 5 to 7 ½ days of diving with 20-22 to 27-29 dives, respectively. In the Socorro off-season, August through October, it ran trips to Guadalupe Island from Ensenada, Mexico, to dive with great white sharks.
Operator Pacific Fleet, which ran the vessel, was taking bookings up until January 20th, when its website was taken offline.
In an email sent to customers, the company said:
“Solmar V SA de CV, together with its affiliates and subsidiaries, has permanently ceased all operations, effective immediately. The company will no longer operate voyages, accept bookings or provide travel-related services of any kind.”
One of the reasons for the shutdown, according to the company, was the death of a passenger that took place last November:
“One of our guests suffered a sudden and severe medical emergency. Despite the immediate and professional response of our onboard crew, the medical personnel at the Socorro Marine Base, DAN specialists, the evacuation team and the hospital staff in Los Cabos, the guest tragically passed away.
“The emotional, operational and financial consequences that followed placed extraordinary strain on the company, its management and its financial partners. Although the company entered into verbal agreements intended to stabilise operations and continue future voyages, insurmountable issues arose during the implementation of those agreements.
“These issues ultimately resulted in the termination of our management agreement and the loss of operational control and use of the vessel Solmar V, which has since been relocated from Los Cabos to Mazatlán by its owner.”
Before that, however, the company had reportedly cancelled several trips without refunds.
A French dive group even set up a website called Solmar V Warnings that advised travelers against booking with the company:
“Since late 2025, an increasing number of divers and tour operators have reported that Pacific Fleet has cancelled cruises to Socorro / Revillagigedo, sometimes on the very day of departure, leaving clients without assistance, without any backup solution, and without refunds for the amounts paid.
“Numerous testimonies mention Solmar V cruises that were fully paid for but never delivered, a completely non-existent after-sales service, and a total lack of communication from the operator.
“In light of these repeated incidents, we have chosen to gather as much information and as many testimonies as possible in order to help divers, travel agencies, and industry professionals assess the reliability of Pacific Fleet – Solmar V before making any booking.
“This website also aims to centralize the feedback of travelers who may have been harmed, with a view to a potential collective action or other legal steps in the future, depending on the evidence collected.
“We hope this page will help passionate divers avoid an expensive and disappointing experience and contribute to essential transparency regarding the real situation of Socorro cruises offered by this operator.”
