Nautilus Explorer, Mexico

Excellent diving and guidance

“This was far and away my most highly-anticipated liveaboard yet, and it strongly delivered. So much life for such a remote locati…”

Rowan A, United States United States
Read 69 more reviews

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 is located in front of the dive deck and has large panoramic windows, and it is furnished with 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, or on exhilarating Great White cage diving in Guadalupe. 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 white shark cage diving and support film and scientific crews. There is also nitrox available for certified divers, and the Nautilus Explorer is rebreather friendly.

Book your Nautilus Explorer liveaboard easily online today.


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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, National Park Fees (100 USD per day), Port Fees (35 USD).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Airport Transfer (25 USD), Hotel Transfer, Alcoholic Beverages, Nitrox, Nitrox Course, Private Dive Guide, Rental Gear.

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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Boat features

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

Food & Drinks

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

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

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

The crew speaks English and Spanish.


Gear Rental

There is diving gear available on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. See below for further details on inclusions and pricing. Show prices.


Drawings & Vessel Layouts

#deckplan floorplan

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

  • 9.0 Superb
  1. Vessel
    8.4
  2. Crew
    9.0
  3. Food
    9.7
  4. Diving
    9.3
  5. Value
    8.4
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Rowan A
  • United States United States
Best Liveaboard Yet!

This was far and away my most highly-anticipated liveaboard yet, and it strongly delivered. So much life for such a remote location, where we were the only boat present most days at every site! The dive crew worked tirelessly to haul our gear after every dive, something I hadn't expected, and they were very knowledgeable about every site and provided amazing guidance underwater. Nobody works harder than these guys! Chef was very attentative to my dietary restrictions, and the hostesses were endlessly accomodating and went above and beyond. Very big plus for me as a solo diver that they were able to provide Wifi (extra charge - don't mind a bit), so that my loved ones back home knew I was okay! My only advice to others is be mindful this boat rocks - as in, in the waves. Had never been seasick before this trip, and was naive not to take meds before the big crossing thinking the boat was going to be more stable than it was. Come armed with dramamine, and you'll be set for a truly unforgettable trip!

Recommended for
Animal life, Dive Service
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Andrea F
  • United States 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
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Adam T
  • United States 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
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Victoria S
  • United States United States
The trip of a lifetime!

What an absolutely amazing dive trip! Great dive sites, love the dive masters, the crew, captain, and of course, the chef!

Recommended for
Dives, food, and crew
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • David C
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom
Enjoyable trip

I would say the staff onboard the boat made my trip. What a fantastic group. Very professional yet still had a fun side to them. Although the boat is old it is very well maintained but I think out of date for modern expectations. The cabins and bathrooms are just functional. And it lacks a nice seating area outside under cover.

Recommended for
Crew, guides and food.
  • 10 Exceptional
  • Jasneet B
  • Canada Canada
Great crew and food

Mantas, the crew was awesome. Food was fabulous.

Recommended for
Crew, food and the diving group
  • 7.6 Good
  • Charles M
  • Switzerland Switzerland
Great trip for Giant Mantas!

Perfect complement to a Galápagos trip, as we didn't see many hammersharks and Dolphins but diving with the playfull giant mantas was great!

Recommended for
Dive masters, big pelagics, global team (crew and guests)
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Daniel A
  • Romania Romania
The safety measures and systems on board are outstanding along with one of the best services on this field.

As the trip is named : Mantas

Recommended for
Safety, quality of sevices, dive sites
  • 8.4 Very good
  • Ilias E
  • Greece Greece
Whale shark yes!!! Rest ok

Whale sharks

Recommended for
Swimming with the whale sharks and sea lions.
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Viola G
  • Austria 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.