Nautilus Explorer, Mexico

Name: Sea of Cortez Get-Aways (Cabo - Cabo)
Start: 2026-10-25
End: 2026-10-30
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 Jul

11 Days / 10 Nights

Children Special: 20% OFF for ages 12–15. Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.

$ 3,695 Deal %

Select Cabin available

04 Aug

6 Days / 5 Nights

Family Fun in the Sun Adventure.

$ 1,895

FULL

25 Aug

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 1,795

FULL

30 Aug

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,545

Select Cabin only 2 spaces left

06 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,545

Select Cabin only 1 space left

13 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 1,845

FULL

20 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,795

Select Cabin only 2 spaces left

27 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,645

Select Cabin only 1 space left

04 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,645

FULL

11 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,645

FULL

18 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,645

FULL

25 Oct

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 1,895

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

8.8 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

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
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

10 Exceptional
Natalie Marika S
Germany

Super Trip mit toller Crew
Tolle Tour mit überaus egagierter, freunlicher Crew. Anmutige Mantas, verspielte Delphine und interessante Tauchplätze. Wäre gerne jetzt wieder dort!
Recommended for
Das Tauchgebiet / Die Crew / Alles
11 Feb, 2019

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

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
Anne-Sophie M
France

Absolutely fantastic on every aspect
Truly fantastic experience with Nautilus Expert. We had an amazing week which beat expectations across all aspects of the trips and particularly with wild life encounters (whale sharks, hammerheads, tigers, dolphins, mantas on almost every dive). The crew is truly dedicated, friendly and very professional - more than on any liveaboards I’ve been on. The food was a positive too, with high quality products and different, very good recipes every day. I would give all the above a 12/10. The boat is in good condition, however the cabins are very small which can make it a little uncomfortable sharing, and the experience would be even even better if there were more shade areas during the day. But frankly that shouldn’t stop anyone from taking this trip.
Recommended for
The incredible dives. The crew. The food.
22 May, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Véronique J
France

Amazing dive trip!!
Thanks to a very good organization, the dives were easy. Everything was up to what you would expect from this place.
Recommended for
Organization. Communication. Security.
25 Mar, 2025

Translated from French

9.6 Exceptional
Matthew B
United States

Most amazing way to celebrate 20th anniversary!
So many Great White sharks of different sizes. We were able to renew of wedding vows on the dive deck and we were surprised by unexpected treats to help us celebrate our 20th anniversary. The Captain is amazing, not only in charge but welcoming and works along side the fantastic crew.
Recommended for
Many Great white sharks, the crew and Captain Lowe
12 Sep, 2018

102 reviews

8.8 Fabulous
102 Verified Reviews

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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

8.4 Very good
KWANGMIN L
South Korea

Best place to see mantaray
Socorro is a best place where you can easily meet the friendly mantaray. You can see manta every diving, and Mantas are around the divers. That one is enough to come here. And also Crews are so nice and kind. Food is excellent.
Recommended for
Diving, Crews, Food
06 Nov, 2022

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

9.2 Superb
JEESAN O
Canada

My trip and the boat was excellent
My first liveaboard trip and boy it was one for the books. I'll be back.
Recommended for
Diving, crew, food
07 Feb, 2023

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

10 Exceptional
Adam T
United States

Unbelievable in EVERY way
Unbelievable, world-class diving and once-in-a-lifetime pelagic marine life encounters. Great crew and great boat.
Recommended for
the diving and the crew
09 Dec, 2023

9.2 Superb
Viola G
Austria

One of the best diving experiences I ever had!
We got lucky to see all of the big ones and some of them impressively close up, it was just amazing!
Recommended for
The kindness of the whole crew, the under water wildelife and the great food after an exciting dive.
03 Jul, 2023

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

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

10 Exceptional
Christian S
Switzerland

Simply completely satisfied!
Great White Shark
Recommended for
Staff, Customers, Great White Shark
13 Sep, 2018

Translated from German

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

9.6 Exceptional
Andrew S
Canada

A great adventure to a remote place for interactions you can’t get anywhere else.
Giant mantas joining divers on safety stops and orbiting until surface time.
Recommended for
The crew, the service, and the freedom to push the limits on all dives.
09 Feb, 2022

9.2 Superb
Sebastián A
Costa Rica

An unforgettable experience in terms of abundance and interaction with marine life
Get to know a unique place in the world, well protected and meet people who share your passion. The food and service of the staff excellent, an unforgettable experience.
Recommended for
1. Abundance of marine fauna. 2. Interaction with marine fauna. 3. Excellent food and staff service.
12 Apr, 2024

Translated from Spanish

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

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

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

10 Exceptional
Mauricio de la F
Mexico

Beautiful!
The human team, the facilities of the boat, and the natural environment make this diving trip one of the most beautiful in life
Recommended for
Amiability. Environment. Facilities.
22 Nov, 2024

8.4 Very good
Gražina B
Lithuania

Great trip
Good boat although a bit dated, but kept clean. Plenty of food at breakfast and lunch, dinner - not so much:) The cabins were cleaned everyday (beds were made and towels were changed). The staff is very helpful and supportive. The only negative moment was the last day of sailing, when the crew was cleaning all the boat.
Recommended for
Roca Partida dive site. Great breakfast. Friendly staff.
26 Jan, 2026

9.2 Superb
Richard W
Austria

Really expensive, but an unforgettable trip
The boat is no longer new, but in perfect condition.... The whole team did an incredible job, and the chef was great and very motivated. The dives themselves were as described by LifeAboard, the absolute highlight were three dives very close to a female humpback whale resting at Roca Partida with her playful baby, who did not let herself be disturbed by the divers - unforgettable!
Recommended for
Dive with Humpback + Baby, countless sharks, and the sight of "Roca Partida"
16 Mar, 2022

10 Exceptional
Julian S
United States

Once in a lifetime dive experience
Absolutely incredible and worth the 240 mile journey to the islands. Mantas almost every dive, and sharks pretty much guaranteed. Humpback whales and dolphins were also on some of the dive sites. Highly recommend.
Recommended for
Mantas, hammerheads, whales
21 Apr, 2021