The two main destinations of the Nautilus Under Sea are real highlights:
Socorro Islands: Encounters with huge, curious manta rays that are known for their interaction with divers. There are also sightings of dolphins, whale sharks, hammerheads, various reef sharks and, in season, humpback whales.
Guadalupe: An absolute must for adventurers - here guests have the unique opportunity to dive with great white sharks and get up close to the largest predators of the seas - safe in a cage, spectacular in experience.
From July to November, the Nautilus Under Sea offers 6-day expeditions - with pick-up in San Diego and departure in nearby Ensenada.
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The 27 metre long Nautilus Under Sea is the newest member of the renowned Nautilus fleet in Mexico and takes divers to two of the country's most impressive diving destinations: Socorro and Guadalupe.
The ship has an eventful past - originally designed as a research vessel, it became known worldwide under the name Under Sea Hunter. It served as a camera platform for deep-sea expeditions with Dr Sylvia Earle, was part of several underwater film projects and was even used in the James Bond film "Licence to Kill". Today it is back in Mexico - perfectly equipped for demanding diving cruises.
There isroom for up to 17 guests on board - accommodated in 8 comfortable cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. A cosy lounge, an inviting dining area and a spacious sun deck offer plenty of space for relaxation and conversation between dives.
The deck is perfectly designed to meet the needs of divers and underwater photographers:
Plenty of space for equipment and cameras, well thought-out work areas for preparing and putting on equipment and a practical setup for getting into the water.
We love diving in Socorro, especially in spring and early summer. Always stunning, raw and pristine, Socorro offers fantastic diving experiences known for its super friendly and interactive giant manta rays. With 12 different species of sharks and playful bottlenose dolphins trying to outdo the mantas to see who can be the most playful with the 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 the dragons from Game of Thrones peeking out from behind the active volcano on Socorro. The archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a strictly guarded national park, accessible only to a limited number of permit holders.
What makes May and June our favourite diving season of the year is the abundance of wildlife. At this time we encounter many sharks, often on every dive, including schools of hammerheads and shoals of silvertip sharks (not a misprint!), silky sharks and Galapagos sharks are very common, as are whitetip reef sharks, which are stacked like firewood at Roca Partida. Swimming through huge schools of thousands of mackerel is incredible. This is the time of year when we see baitballs, pilot whales and pelagic species, including huge tuna. There is more biomass, more fish, more animals and more life than at any other time of year.
*Example of an itinerary
We recommend SJD Cabo San Lucas as your gateway airport for a seamless transfer from the arrivals hall to Cabo San Lucas.
Our concierges are on hand to help you organise, make special requests and answer any questions you may have. We recommend flying into Cabo early to enjoy and partake in our Baja hospitality.
Day 1: Free photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas. 20:00 boarding.
Day 2: Travelling and relaxing at sea. It's a one-day excursion to the Socorro Islands. Cocktail hour. Sunsets. Arrival at San Benedicto Island in the evening.
Day 3 - 7: Five full days of diving to experience some of our favourite sites such as El Canyon, the Boiler, Red Rocks, Roca Partida, Cabo Pearse, Punta Tosca and Roca Oneal. We will do our best to offer 4 dives per day depending on if there are other dive boats on site, the weather and only 3 dives on the day of the mandatory inspection by the Mexican Navy. Expect to see the world's friendliest giant manta rays, bottlenose dolphins, up to 12 species of sharks and plenty of fish. We will also have other activities to keep you busy such as kayaking and paddle boarding. Or simply relax in our hot tub.
Day 8: Early morning return to Cabo San Lucas. A great time to look back on all your photos and videos, meet new friends or just relax on the drive back
Day 9: Disembark in Cabo at 8:30 am.
(*) Description of the itinerary provided by the boat operator.
The last dive will take place on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are advised to wait 24 hours after the last dive before flying.
Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The exact route and locations visited may change depending on local regulations, guest experience, weather and logistics and are at the captain's discretion
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Triple cabin main deck
- 3 single beds (bunk beds)
- en-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max.3 guests
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Stateroom lower deck single
- 2 single beds
- En-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
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Double cabin Rosario (wheelchair accessible) main deck, large window
- 2 single beds
- En-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
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Premium Suite Double Cabin Upper Deck
- 1 double or 2 single beds
- En-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
Included: VAT, soft drinks, tea & coffee, drinking water, welcome cocktails, special dinner, snacks, full board (all meals), dive packages, kayaks, stand up paddleboard, towels for use on deck, cabin towels, complimentary toiletries.
Required extras: Dive insurance, harbour fees (35 USD), national park fees (100-172 USD per day).
Optional extras: travel insurance, tips, hotel transfer, alcoholic drinks, rental equipment, nitrox (125 USD per trip), private dive guide, WLAN.
Prices for rental equipment
Rental equipment is available on this ship. Please indicate on the booking form what you need. Details below of what is included and the additional prices.
- 15 litre bottles 65 USD per trip
- Regulator 55 USD per trip
- BCD 55 USD per trip
- Fin 20 USD per trip
- Mask 25 USD per trip
- Nitrox bottle 100 USD per trip
- Signal buoy Included
- TorchIncluded
- Dive computer 35 USD per trip
- Full equipment (with: regulator, BCD, dive computer) 35 USD per day
- Wetsuit 55 USD per trip
- Air temperature: Warm all year round with average temperatures between 26.5 °C in November/December and 28.5 °C in April/May.
- Water temperature: Stable temperatures between 27.0 °C in December/January and 29.5 °C in May, ideal for diving.
- Rainfall: Drier months from January to April; wetter period from May to October, with the highest rainfall in October.
The ecological treasure trove of the Pacific
Dive into one of the most exclusive and spectacular diving areas in the world: the Revillagigedo Archipelago, better known as Socorro. This remote group of islands, located around 400 kilometres off the Mexican Pacific coast, offers you encounters with the largest and most majestic sea creatures on our planet.
Highlights of your Socorro diving trip
Interactive encounters with huge, curious manta rays
Experience hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, tiger sharks and silky sharks up close
Dolphin sightings on almost every dive
Spectacular underwater landscapes: lava formations, steep walls and plateaus
January - March: Humpback whale season
April - June: Best visibility and calmer conditions
Arrival & tour details
Departure: San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Only accessible by liveaboard
Duration: mostly 8- to 10-day expeditions
Requirements for divers
Experience: Advanced Open Water Diver recommended
Comfort in drift diving and deep dives required
Equipment: Signal buoy (DSMB), 5-7 mm wetsuit recommended
Fitness: Good physical condition for demanding conditions
Why Socorro?
No crowds: Only small groups on specialised liveaboards
Adventure and remoteness: Pure wilderness with no day trippers
Outstanding marine conservation: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Unrivalled photography opportunities: Large animals in clear, open water
Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?
Dive with us in one of the last truly wild places in the world - among manta rays, sharks and dolphins.
Book now and experience Socorro up close!