Whales, sharks, dolphins manta rays, billfish, sea lions and more! This is the promise of underwater adventure that makes Nautilus Fleet the go-to choice for big animal liveaboard diving. With a fleet of modern vessels based in Baja California, Nautilus is ideally positioned to conduct trips into the eastern Pacific marine life hotspot of the Socoros Islands, as well as seasonal forays to the great white shark mecca of Guadalupe Island and marine life encounters in the waters of the Sea of Cortez.
MEET THE FLEET
Nautilus operates a fleet of premium dive liveaboards operating in the waters of the Eastern Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. These steel-hulled ships are stabilized for comfort in open ocean conditions, built to commercial standards in US and Canada shipyards, and meet the exact American Bureau of Shipping standards for structural integrity and safety. Captains and crew hold professional maritime credentials and are trained for emergency response, first aid and security awareness.
The flagship of the fleet is the Nautilus Explorer. Launched in 2000, the Explorer was originally designed to support diving operations in the demanding waters of Western Canada and Alaska, and became the world's first SOLAS safety-certified dive boat. The ship subsequently moved to Mexican waters and underwent a complete refit in 2018, which included a lengthening to 132 feet to create an extra-large stern dive deck with an extended water-level platform.
With a crew of ten, the Explorer can accommodate up to 16 guests in 13 cabins and suites. The boat's dining and lounge areas provide panoramic ocean views. There is a large camera room, onboard hot tub and a fully-stocked bar for post-dive relaxation. Like all boats in the fleet, the Explorer provides onboard internet access and satellite phone services, supports technical diving activities and is rebreather friendly.
Launched in 2015, the Nautilus Belle Amie is an oceangoing liveaboard designed specifically for diving in the Socorro Islands. This three-deck state-of-the-art vessel can accommodate larger dive groups, as it offers a choice of 17 spacious staterooms and upper-deck suites with hotel-like comforts and large view windows. Onboard amenities include a full-length upper sundeck, stocked bar and freshwater hot tub, and the boat is stabilized for passenger comfort. At the stern, the extended water-level dive platform provides easy water and boat entries and exits and serves as a secure staging area for cage diving operations.
The Nautilus UnderSea has a storied history as an expedition dive ship. Built to serve as a submarine tender for the Perry Oceanographic Institute, it was later used for expeditionary filming operations and brought a generation of divers to Cocos Island. Nautilus Dive Adventures acquired the ship in 2021 and undertook a keel-up restoration and update that included extending the hull, reconfiguring the upper decks and adding an active stabilization system. Today, the UnderSea carries up to 19 divers in 9 ensuite staterooms and suites that include one three-passenger stateroom and an ADA-compatible stateroom adjacent to the dive deck.
The fourth member of the Nautilus Fleet was originally commissioned as private luxury yacht. In 2018 the Gallant Lady was acquired by - Nautilus Dive Adventures and reconfigured as an upscale dive liveaboard, accommodating just 12 divers in 6 spacious suites while maintaining yacht-style interior amenities in the guest lounge and dining salon. The vessel's powerful engines and hydraulic stabilizing systems deliver an ideal combination of speed and comfort. The Gallant Lady is fully ocean-capable and ISM safety certified, but typically cruises the calmer waters of the Sea of Cortez and is available for private charters.
SOCORRO: WHERE THE BIG FISH SWIM
The uninhabited islands of San Benedicto, Socorro, and Roca Partida are a trip of oceanic oases in the Eastern Pacific that attract all manner of A-list pelagic species. In the surrounding waters, divers can meet up to ten species of sharks, including schooling hammerheads, oceanic white tips, and whale sharks. Playful dolphin pods are common, whales make seasonal appearances, sea lions circle and huge schools of fish converge on underwater outcroppings.
The biggest stars of the show in the Socorros are the manta rays that glide in by the dozens from open water to converge on cleaning stations. These rays are big – with wingspans that can measure 20 feet. But what truly sets this destination apart from other manta ray hotspots around the world is the willingness of the animals to interact with humans. Often, it is the rays who initiate the meeting by circling in for a closer look to make contact and holding positions mere feet away.
DIVING THE WORLD'S AQUARIUM
The Sea of Cortez offers a number of exciting marine life adventures. Two long-time favorites are whale shark meet ups near La Paz, and diving and snorkeling encounters with the sea lions of Los Islotes. In the same area, divers may encounter large dolphin pods, huge schools of fish, sea turtles and seasonal sightings of hammerhead sharks and humpback whales.
Nautilus recently added several new itineraries to their Sea of Cortez schedule. Winter trips employ spotter aircraft to seek out blue whales, fin-back, pilot, sperm and humpback whales. Spring brings huge squadrons of mobula rays that can number into the thousands. These aggregations in turn draw orcas, giving divers a rare opportunity to interact with these intelligent creatures.
Are you ready for some big animal excitement with Nautilus Fleet? Caradonna's agents work closely with the fleet to help you create an ideal itinerary and can also handle all details of travel and transfer.