Nautilus Explorer, Mexico

Name: Socorro - Giant Mantas, Sharks and Dolphins (Cabo San Lucas - Cabo San Lucas)
Start: 2026-11-27
End: 2026-12-05
Location: Mexico

8.8 Fabulous

Nitrox available
Jacuzzi / Hot Tub
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers

from $ 230 / day Check dates

“The scuba diving was some of the best experiences of our diving lives.”
Giancarlo D, United States

Highlights

Dive with giant mantas and humpback whales in Socorro
Constructed with heavy steel and stabilizers for smooth ocean crossings
Certified by Transport Canada as the first and only SOLAS ISM passenger ship with the same safety certificate as the largest cruise ships in the world

Sister ship to the Nautilus Belle Amie, the 35m Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard was custom built for divers to explore the amazing sites of Guadalupe and the Socorro Islands, Mexico. Built by divers, for divers for stability, comfort, and safety, the Nautilus Explorer liveaboard comprises 13 cabins, ranging from a cost-effective mixed-gender triple occupancy stateroom to a luxurious premium suite. On the lower deck are 8 twin/double cabins and 1 triple cabin. The hot tub deck has 3 superior suites and the premium suite, which features a separate lounge and floor-to-ceiling picture window. All cabins are equipped with individually controlled AC and private en-suite bathrooms.

The Nautilus Explorer has many well-designed social areas. There are two upper-floor sun decks and a hot tub deck where guests can relax with a glass of wine or frosty beer under the evening stars. The main salon has large panoramic windows in front of the dive deck. It has couches, a dedicated PC and Mac computer for video editing, and a 42-inch plasma TV. Onboard dining consists of freshly made dishes, including homemade bread, pastries, and soups combining North American, European, and Mexican flavors.

The Nautilus Explorer schedules itineraries to the incredible sites of the Socorro Islands, famous for manta rays, humpback whales, and vast schools of fish. The back of the boat is home to the dive deck, with a 5-ton hydraulic crane, water-level platform, and reinforced steel deck for film and scientific crews. Nitrox is also available for certified divers, and the Nautilus Explorer is rebreather-friendly.

Book your Nautilus Explorer liveaboard today.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

25 Aug

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 1,795

FULL

30 Aug

8 Days / 7 Nights

Male Shared Cabin.

$ 2,545

Select Cabin only 1 space left

06 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,545

FULL

13 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 1,845

Select Cabin only 1 space left

20 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,795

FULL

27 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,645

FULL

04 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,645

FULL

11 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

Female Shared Cabin.

$ 2,645

Select Cabin only 1 space left

18 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,645

FULL

25 Oct

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 1,895

FULL

11 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 3,445

FULL

19 Nov

9 Days / 8 Nights

$ 3,445

FULL

Included: Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Special Dinner, Diving Package, Kayaks, Stand Up Paddleboard, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels.

Required Extras: 5% VAT, Dive Insurance, National Park Fees (100-192 USD / day), Port Fees (35 USD).

Optional Extras: Travel Insurance, Gratuities, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Alcoholic Beverages, Nitrox, Nitrox Course, Private Dive Guide, Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses, WiFi internet.

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

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Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

Jacuzzi / Hot Tub
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Air Conditioned saloon
Sun Deck
Camera Station
Stand Up Paddleboard
Nearly 1:1 Crew-to-Guest Ratio
Kayaks On-Board
Seaview Cabins
Paid Internet
Non-Smoking Rooms
Camera room
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Indoor Saloon
Laundry Service
Audio & video entertainment
Observation Deck
BBQ Area
Available for Charter
Local & International Crew
Snorkeling Equipment
Outside Showers
Leisure Deck
Daily housekeeping
Bar

Food & Drinks

Fine Cuisine
Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Free Soft Drinks
Beer available
Wine Available
Fine Wines Selection
Welcome Cocktails
Snacks All Day
Buffet style
Western Food
Local Food
Set Menu Dinner

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

Nitrox available
Shaded Diving Area
DIN Adaptors
Rebreather Support
Rinse Hoses
Dive deck
Tenders for diving
Sidemount Diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English and Spanish.

Gear Rental

Equipment is available for rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. If the rental gear is not included in the price, you will need to pay for it on board the boat. Show prices

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year built: 2000

Year renovated: 2015

Length: 132 feet

Beam: 27 feet

Cruising speed: 11-12 mph

Max guests: 25

Number of cabins: 13

Tenders: 38' skiff

Water capacity: Unlimited with high capacity watermakers

Freshwater maker: 3600 gallons per day

Boat navigation and safety

Radar
Depth Sounder
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
Emergency Rafts
Life Vests
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
First Aid Kits
Satellite & mobile phones
Crew trained in first aid
Emergency flares

Nautilus Explorer Reviews

8.8 Fabulous

Vessel

8.1
Crew

8.9
Food

9.6
Diving

9.3
Value

8.3

10 Exceptional
Andreas F
United States

Amazing first liveaboard trip
Fantastic liveaboard trip. The crew is stellar. Every single one. The sites are amazing. Only issue was a smell in the downstairs hallway. Very unpleasant.
Recommended for
Crew. Mantas. Dolphins.
09 Jul, 2026

8.4 Very good
Jason D
United States

Great trip with orcas. The crew was great and I would definitely recommend this trip for the experiences
We did the 11 day Orcas, Mobulas, and Whale Shark and we saw all of them in the Sea of Cortez trip. The orca encounters were especially memorable as we saw them feeding and teaching the young how to feed. The diving wasn’t especially impressive as the water was murky but overall still great. The boat is a bit old and we did lose AC for a day but overall this was an amazing experience.
Recommended for
Orcas!. Whale sharks. Sea Lions.
29 Jul, 2026

10 Exceptional
Gina G
United States

Just awesome!
Mantas, whale sharks and the fun spirit of all crew members. Everyone was kind and helpful, food was fabulous, Team Chevron was a perfect fit and and a great time was had by all! Upon our return we signed up for the Guadalupe Great White trip for September - lets do it again!!!
Recommended for
Marine life, crew spirit, service
27 Jun, 2021

9.2 Superb
Stefan H
United Kingdom

Excellent dive guides
I can’t say that this was the best diving ever, nor the most modern boat, BUT the dive team (Celi, Ima and Feli) were magnificent and really made the trip worthwhile. Swimming with whale sharks was extraordinary; as was playing with sea lions. Well organised and premium service.
Recommended for
Whalesharks. Dive Guides. Sundeck and lounge.
22 Oct, 2024

9.6 Exceptional
Claudia R
Germany

Amazing experience
We did two days, 8 dives in Cabo Pearce with the Giant Mantas. There also was a big school of hammerheads and we were being surrounded by dolphins. The chef was brilliant. I don't know how he managed to serve 24 tenderloins simultaneously in exactly the way we had ordered it. The lectures were more than interesting.
Recommended for
Giant Mantas, Dolphins, Hammerheads
30 Dec, 2022

9.6 Exceptional
Patrick M
Ireland

Great diving, dive masters and team onboard.
The diving was excellent, the reviews about manta interactions and their curiosity was 100% true for my trip. Onboard the team, particularly Laura and Saki were great, very friendly and always happy to help. Our captain - Ramon, made sure we were always safe at sea. It’s worth saying that Socorro is a remote dive site and if you’re going later in the season expect bigger currents so if you’re affected by seas sickness then bring some meds!
Recommended for
1. Giant Mantas 2. Dolphins 3. Sharks
17 Jun, 2023

10 Exceptional
Daniela S
Germany

Great Trip!
Everything was just great. The crew was amazing. They helped us whenever possible. Food was very delicious. The dives were great. I felt safe all the time. It was an incredible trip and I completely recommend it. Btw, I was traveling by myself and made new friends easily. If you are considering booking a trip on this boat, just book it!
Recommended for
Sharks, crew, food
26 Sep, 2021

9.6 Exceptional
Kale W
United States

Amazing
Amazing trip, great crew. Hope to do it again someday.
Recommended for
Crew, sharks, food
08 Nov, 2017

9.2 Superb
tess B
Switzerland

Top
Great trip, an idyllic break out of time. I received good advice from the dive center about my equipment. The team is top notch and the meals were very good. Being the only boat on the sites was great and it helped to enjoy the dives even more.
Recommended for
Dives. Service. Meals.
05 Jul, 2026

Translated from French

9.2 Superb
Giancarlo D
United States

Great diving and great crew made this an awesome trip
We had such a great trip and all the crew was top notch and very helpful. The scuba diving was some of the best experiences of our diving lives.
Recommended for
Great crew/staff/dive masters. Great diving. Wonderful fellow guests.
28 Jun, 2025

106 reviews

8.8 Fabulous
106 Verified Reviews

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10 Exceptional
Sanjay K
India

THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
Diving: Mantas (duh!) - have seen many before but the interaction in the sites like El Boiler and Roca Partida are second to none. Dolphins ( all over the place in El Boiler) Hammerheads ( Roca Partida) Tiger Shark and Whale shark ( if you are lucky - in El Bolier) Night Snorkel with Silky sharks Super awesome marine life in all sites Safety: Excellent emphasis given to safety and procedures on the dive. Non Diving: Round the clock service makes the whole diving at sea part a breeze Excellent Food: I am a vegetarian and I slept well fed on burger, steak and all other nights. Round the clock food. Look forward to the hot coco with Baileys post the night snorkel. Brilliant Staff: You are sure to make life long friends on this boat, so be ready to bawl like a baby when you are leaving. I am definitely not done with Soccoro or The Nautilus Fleet. I thought I would move on to the Galapagos or elsewhere, but there would be no reasons given the richness of dive experience that is available in this one package.
Recommended for
The boat ( spacious, very comfortable and easily a home) The staff ( diving and non-diving, easily the best staff I have dived with - so loving, caring and accomodating) The food
07 Jun, 2018

9.2 Superb
Ralf E
Switzerland

Unforgettable experience!
Great organization, great crew, very good food, top guides and fantastic dive sites with unforgettable moments with sharks. The manta rays are so numerous and extremely curious.
Recommended for
dive sites and the critters. Crew. Dining on board.
18 Apr, 2025

Translated from German

8.8 Fabulous
Aldo C
Italy

perfect trip, holiday and dives
This holiday for us was unforgettable, the dives in these pristine places and with no other boats on the dive site is priceless. The whole crew amazed us a lot with their professionalism and versatility. They tried to satisfy our every request and were always very present and kind. Every dive was a highlight. Thanks especially to the commander, Casey and Juan
Recommended for
dive guides, spots, organization
26 Dec, 2019

Translated from Italian

10 Exceptional
Joanna Z
United States

The fun I needed
I just love diving. Plenty of cool people on the boat. They were divers, of course they were cool! Staff did all they could to make it easy for us. Loved it and ready to go back under now.
Recommended for
4 dives/day. The great staff. Excellent food..
06 Oct, 2025

9.6 Exceptional
Marcel R
Germany

Tolles Boot, super Crew!
Diving with the dolphins and manta rays is definitely second to none. I've never been so close to such fantastic animals.
Recommended for
Diving, Crew, Group
27 May, 2019

8.4 Very good
Brooke M
United States

A diving experience I will never forget.
All the fantastic sea creatures we were super lucky to see. Most the dive guides where fantastic. Even though we didn't need any help, I always felt that anything we would have needed was easy to ask for and everyone was more than happy to help.
Recommended for
Diving, Most Crew members, Diving group separation
27 Feb, 2020

8.8 Fabulous
Jeffrey C
United States

A trip worth taking.
Best crew experience on a liveaboard that I have had. Good diving experience
Recommended for
Fantastic Crew. Good diving. Cleanliness.
18 Jan, 2026

8.0 Very good
Louis M
France

the cabine is too short for two peaople no storage space
good experience but tyred too many dives en a day
Recommended for
the guides. the competence. the food.
22 May, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Rita R
United States

Best Trip Ever, and I've been to Australia's Live aboard, it doesn't hold a candle to the Nautilus Explorer. I'm already booking for next year!
Seeing so many beautiful Great White Sharks in one location. I was very pleased with all the staff and services onboard. Captain Lowel, Dulce, Dani, Pato, Steve, and so many more were so welcoming and helpful. Bravo to all the staff on the Nautilus Explorer, and I can't wait to come back again next year. Thank you for a great vacation! Rita Ringle
Recommended for
Non judgemental. Very helpful. Fun Staff
30 Oct, 2018

9.6 Exceptional
Deborah T
United States

Outstanding trip to Revillagigedo
Diving and interacting with giant Mantas and dolphins. We saw many sharks in every dive!!!
Recommended for
Crew was great, diving was amazing, guests were all pleasant and fun!
08 Jul, 2024

10 Exceptional
Andrea F
United States

Outstanding
The special moments we got to share with the giant mantas and other sea creatures was truly unique to this area
Recommended for
The diving was incredible, the dive masters and crew were very helpful and the food was great
21 Dec, 2023

8.8 Fabulous
Kevin S
United States

Socorro - beautiful, unspoiled, remote and totally worth it!
Socorro is a beautiful destination, remote and unspoiled Large animals were plentiful (sharks of several species, giant manta rays, whale shark, dolphins) - exceeded my expectations This trip requires good physical conditioning - diving is not off the platform but rather requires motoring on a small rubber skiff boat to the dive sites, sometimes in choppy waves
Recommended for
Dive guides were focused on safety and comfort of all guests. Cabin was spacious and comfortable (I stayed in the owner's suite). Crew was friendly and courteous.
16 Jun, 2026

7.6 Good
Yi Fan P
Taiwan

Great
Snorkeling was more worth it than scuba diving, but it was such a shame that we didn't get to see any killer whales. Starting the itinerary directly from La Paz would be better; the schedule wasn't tight enough, and a lot of time ended up being wasted. All three male dive guides were super enthusiastic and excellent, and the hosts provided great service as well. Added so much to the trip!
Recommended for
I saw a lot of marine life while snorkeling.. The crews are very friendly and the service was excellent. The room is cozy..
26 Jul, 2026

8.0 Very good
Nathaniel S
Mexico

Fantastic, highly recommended, a top ten on my list
The islands are fantastic, and the crew make the trip all that much better. The boat is comfortable and has a good back deck for scuba and camera gear
Recommended for
the dive locations. people. food.
17 Mar, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Charles W
United States

Trip of a lifetime!
Amazing first live aboard experience. The other divers said that this trip would spoil me, and was much nicer than other live aboards. Service was great. Food was awesome (though I wish they would have served more Mexican food). This is a very expensive trip (and does not include alcohol, gratuities, or equipment), so you are getting what you pay for. As to the diving, I went from April 1-9, 2018. Highlights of what I saw: hammerheads, dolphins, small whale shark (about 10 feet), a sailfish, many mantas, and a few other divers saw a tiger shark. Highly recommended!
Recommended for
The staff, diving, and other divers.
30 Apr, 2018

8.4 Very good
Alexander B
Portugal

Nice trip with a very professional crew.
The boat is aged, but the diving operation is professional and organized.
Recommended for
Crew. Organization. Fate.
09 Mar, 2026

Translated from Portuguese

9.2 Superb
Juan P
Colombia

Excellent dive site, crew and attention on board.
Have shared with giant mantas, dolphins and a variety of sharks
Recommended for
Abundant fish, good attention and very friendly crew.
27 May, 2019

Translated from Spanish

10 Exceptional
Kevin D
Mexico

Best dive trip ever
Incredible wildlife, great food, great cabin
Recommended for
Dive masters, Location, Comfort
17 Dec, 2021

9.6 Exceptional
Yanxin H
United States

Great fun, great service
Best snorkeling experience i have ever had. Dolphins, pilot whales, and whalesharks at only an arm's distance. Also thanks to pascal who fixed My fins 'the mexican way'. The food was good 2/3 The time, tacos are so delicious but i wish they could give up cooking chicken breasrts or beef chops and serve them The fancy way. Made me feel sorry for the animal.
Recommended for
Snorkeling was great. The Crew are always ready to help. The Bed was very comfy.
19 Jul, 2026

10 Exceptional
Kathryn H
United States

The most amazing diving and the friendliest crew!
I had the most amazing dive trip with the Nautilus explorer! The diving in the Socorros Archipelago is world class and by far the best diving I’ve ever done! I am a dive instructor and have dove thousands of dives but this trip topped them all! We saw manta rays on almost ever dive and several times they swirled around me close enough to touch. We saw hammerhead Sharks on almost every dive and several divers including my husband got very close encounters with these amazing animals! I also got a super up close encounter with bottle nose dolphins including a juvenile peeking out toward me from under it’s mother’s belly! The dive boat was immaculate and the care of the staff was above anything I have ever experienced! All the dive masters were so friendly and helpful! One of our Dive masters was a marine biologist and gave nightly presentations on the Pelagic species we were diving with which increased both my knowledge and enjoyment of these encounters. Another Dive master was a underwater photography expert and offered post-dive review and tips and tricks on how to improve my underwater photography and I learned so much from him! The food was also really exceptional. Several of the customers on our trip had been on 5+ live aboards and all commented how good the food was! It was also so amazing to have a hot jacuzzi waiting for us after every dive!
Recommended for
Amazing pelagic encounters, attentive staff, and a rooftop jacuzzi and hot, private showers
21 Apr, 2021