The Nautilus Sea of Cortez is a diving paradise on the west coast of Mexico, it is known worldwide for its extraordinary marine biodiversity and its breathtaking dive sitess breathtaking dive sites
- Mobula ray season: Every year (May to July) thousands of mobula rays gather for one of the most spectacular natural events in the world.
- Whale sharks: From October to March there is a high chance of seeing whale sharks in shallow waters, especially around La Paz.
Coral reefs: Cabo Pulmo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers an intact ecosystem with colorful corals.
The Nautilus Belle Amie, with its heavy steel construction with stabilization, is perfect for ocean crossings to bring divers safely to the world-class dive sites of the Socorro Islands.
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Purpose-built for divers, the Nautilus Belle Amie vessel is the largest in the Nautilus Liveaboards fleet. With amenities akin to a floating boutique hotel and a reputation for quality service on board, the Nautilus Belle Amie accommodates 32 guests in 17 en-suite cabins and suites. On the lower deck there are 8 twin cabins as well as an affordable triple cabin. The main deck has 2 premium suites, and 6 superior suites are located on the wheelhouse deck. The beds in the suites can be converted to twin or double beds. All rooms also have individually controlled air conditioning units.
On the main deck there is a large salon and dining area where a fusion of Mexican and West Coast North American cuisine is served. All dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, food allergy options and quasi-kosher, can be accommodated with advance notice. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are buffet style, and dinner is served as a plated buffet or family style. There are two fully stocked bars on board offering single malts, microbrews and a wide selection of wine. The large sundeck offers space for everyone to relax in the sun and a hot tub to warm up between dives or to enjoy after diving with a drink and snack.
Ultimate Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez (Cabo San Lucas - La Paz) 8D/7N
Dive Sites
- Cabo Pulmo National Park: A protected reef system with excellent visibility and one of the last living coral reefs in the North Pacific.
- Los Islotes: Known for the curious sea lions that interact with divers.
- La Paz: Whale shark snorkeling and diving experiences.
- Gordo Banks: Deep sea dives for encounters with large fish such as sharks.
- El Bajo: Famous for schools of hammerhead sharks and pelagic species.
SUPER COMBO: Socorro and the Bait Balls plus Amazing Action around the Mexico Sardine Run (Cabo San Lucas - Cabo San Lucas) 12D/11N
We love diving in Socorro, especially in spring and early summer. Always stunning, raw and pristine, Socorro offers amazing diving experiences, known for the super friendly and interactive giant manta rays. With 12 different species of sharks and playful bottlenose dolphins trying to outdo the manta rays to see who can be the most playful with divers. Although it's only 235 nautical miles from Cabo, it feels like you're deep in the Pacific in a remote and unvisited paradise. You almost expect to see Game of Thrones dragons peeking out from behind the active volcano on Socorro. The archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a closely guarded national park, accessible only to a limited number of permit holders.
Socorro - Giant Mantas, Sharks and Dolphins (Cabo San Lucas - Cabo San Lucas) 8D7N
What makes May and June our favourite diving season of the year is the abundance of wildlife. This is when we encounter lots of sharks, often on every dive, including schools of hammerhead sharks and schools of silvertip sharks (not a misprint!), silky sharks and Galapagos sharks are very common, as are whitetip reef sharks, which as always are stacked like firewood at Roca Partida. Swimming through huge schools of thousands of jacks is amazing. This is the time of year when we see bait balls, pilot whales and pelagic species, including visiting giant tuna. There is more biomass, more fish, more animals and more life than at any other time of year.
Sea of Cortez Get-Aways (Cabo - Cabo) 7D/6N
Las Animas, La Reyna (with a little luck, an encounter with a giant manta ray), El Bajo, Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo and more! 15 dives, including night dives.
At this time of year, the seas in the Sea of Cortez are usually calm and smooth. Visibility and water temperatures improve significantly in July. In September, you can expect water temperatures of around 29°C and visibility of 30 to 45 meters.
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Triple Room economic
- 3 single beds,
- 3 people,
- ensuite bathroom,
- adjustable air conditioning
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Double Stateroom
- 2 single or 1 double bed,
- 2 guests,
- ensuite bathroom,
- central air conditioning
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Superior Suite Upper Deck
- 1 double bed,
- 2 guests,
- ensuite bathroom,
- adjustable air conditioning
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Single Stateroom
- 1 single/double bed,
- 1 guest,
- ensuite bathroom,
- individual air conditioning
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Premium Double Room
- 1 large double bed,
- mini suite,
- ensuite bathroom,
- adjustable air conditioning
Including: Soft drinks, tea & coffee, drinking water, welcome cocktails, special dinner, snacks, full board (all meals), dive packages, kayaks, stand-up paddleboarding, towels for use on deck, cabin towels, complimentary toiletries.
Mandatory extras: 5% VAT, dive insurance, port fees ($35), national park fees ($100-172 per day).
Optional extras: Travel insurance, tips, airport transfer ($25), hotel transfer, alcoholic beverages, rental equipment, Nitrox ($125 per trip), Nitrox course, private dive guide, dive courses, Wi-Fi.
Rental equipment prices:
Rental equipment is available on this ship. Please indicate on the booking form what you need. Details below on what is included and the additional prices.
15-liter tanks $65 per trip
Regulator $55 per trip
BCD $55 per trip
Fins $20 per trip
Mask $25 per trip
Nitrox tank $100 per trip
Signal buoy included
Flashlight included
Dive computer $35 per trip
- Air temperature: Warm year-round, with average temperatures between 24°C and 29°C.
- Water temperature: Stable temperatures between 25.5°C and 29.5°C, ideal for diving.
- Precipitation: Drier months from January to May; wetter period from July to October, with the highest rainfall in September.
Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California)
An approximately 1,100 km long inland sea between the Baja California Peninsula and mainland Mexico. Geographically, it belongs to the Pacific Ocean.
Includes dive areas near:
- La Paz
- Cabo Pulmo
- Loreto
- Bahía de los Ángeles
Socorro Islands (Revillagigedo Archipelago)
Located about 400 km southwest of Cabo San Lucas, far out in the open Pacific. Consist of four islands, including:
- Socorro
- San Benedicto
- Roca Partida
- Clarión
- Accessible only by liveaboard dive vessels.
Population – Sea of Cortez
Coastal cities include La Paz, Loreto, and Cabo San Lucas.
The population lives partly from tourism, partly from fishing and trade.
Residents: mostly Mexican mestizos, growing expat community (mainly from the US/Canada).
Socorro
The islands are uninhabited, except for a Mexican naval base on Socorro.
Religions
Mexico is predominantly Roman Catholic (about 80%).
Religious customs are deeply rooted in daily life, especially in rural areas.
Churches, processions, and festivals shape cultural life.
Economic Situation – Sea of Cortez
Region is economically mixed:
Tourism is booming, especially in Baja California Sur
Fishing and agriculture in coastal villages
Sustainable marine conservation (e.g., Cabo Pulmo National Park) brings international recognition.
Socorro
No permanent economic activity – exclusively high-end dive expeditions.
Strict protection by UNESCO (World Heritage since 2016).
Key component of Mexico's marine ecotourism.
Significance for Mexico
The Sea of Cortez was called "the aquarium of the world" by Jacques Cousteau – due to its biodiversity.
The Socorro Islands are considered Mexico’s Galápagos – unique in isolation and fauna.
Both regions enhance Mexico’s profile in international dive tourism.
Economic Impact of the Dive Industry
Sea of Cortez
Significant local income source:
Divers, snorkelers, whale-watching tourists
Small-scale tourism (local boats, guides, accommodations)
Ecotourism hubs like Cabo Pulmo show how protected areas can create sustainable jobs.
Focus on marine tourism, sustainable fishing, and conservation by many NGOs.
Socorro Islands
Destination for exclusive liveaboard tours (7–10 days)
Divers from around the world visit specifically for large marine species.
Economic effect mainly through dive boats, crews, maintenance, ports in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.
Due to isolation, regulation is easy, but overfishing by third parties remains a threat.
Why Sea of Cortez & Socorro are popular dive destinations
Sea of Cortez
High biodiversity: sea lions, dolphins, mobulas, whale sharks, turtles
Macro & pelagics in one dive region
Unique landscape – desert meets sea
Year-round diving, best time: July–November
Easily accessible by flights to La Paz, Loreto, or Los Cabos
Diving with sea lion colonies (e.g., at Los Islotes)
Socorro
World-class big animal diving: mantas, hammerheads, silky sharks, dolphins, whale sharks
Manta interactions – unusually close behavior
Whale sharks & humpback whales (seasonal)
Remote, untouched nature without mass tourism
Challenging currents = exciting for experienced divers
Best season: November–June