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Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard – DEMA Special Special – Socorro Island, Mexico

15% Commission on Full Boat / 12% Half Boat or Less*
5 Paid Divers / 1 Free Diver
Small Group Special – Giant Mantas, Sharks & Dolphins!

8 Nights’ accommodations, Complimentary Warm Up Dive at See Creatures Cabo San Lucas Before Boarding, All Meals (Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert), Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Snacks, 6 Days of Up To 4 Dives Daily Including Use of Nautilus LifeLine, DiveAlert, SMB Safety Sausage, Nautilus Dive Light and Tank Beacon (Please Note That Several Dives May Be Quite Challenging and Not Suitable For Divers Of Lower Experience Levels), Kayaking, Paddle Boards, Shoreline Tours, End of Trip Slideshow DVD and Onboard Facilities Such as the Hot Tub and Lounge (Not Included Tax, Port Fee and Marine Park Fees)

Travel Period: Jun. 29 – Jul. 07, 2024
Price and Room Selections:
$2950 Stateroom (Double Occupancy)
$3440 Superior Suite (Double Occupancy)
$3687 Stateroom (Single Occupancy)

**Special Deposit Offer**
$600 non-refundable initial deposit for groups of 6 – 11 or $1200 for groups of 12+ to hold reservation. Remainder of deposit due 90 days later or 9 months prior to travel date, whichever comes first.

*15% – 12% Commission on commissionable portion of package with all payments made by ACH or Bank Wire, otherwise a lower commission will be paid.

Expires at 2:00pm on Friday December 8th, 2023

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Nautilus Belle Amie Liveaboard – Giant Mantas, Sharks & Dolphins Itinerary – Socorro Island, Mexico

8 Nights’ accommodations (Double Occupancy), Complimentary Warm Up Dive at See Creatures Cabo San Lucas Before Boarding, All Meals (Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert), Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Snacks, 6 Days of Up To 4 Dives Daily Including Use of Nautilus LifeLine, DiveAlert, SMB Safety Sausage, Nautilus Dive Light and Tank Beacon (Please Note That Several Dives May Be Quite Challenging and Not Suitable For Divers Of Lower Experience Levels), Kayaking, Paddle Boards, Shoreline Tours, Humpback Whale Watching (Jan. – Apr.) and End of Trip Slideshow DVD and Onboard Facilities Such as the Hot Tub and Lounge (Not Included Tax,  Socorro Island Park Fees and Port Fee)

Travel Periods:
Nov. 25 – Dec. 03, 2023
Dec. 03 – 11, 2023
Price and Room Selections:
$3595 Stateroom
$4095 Superior Suite
$4695 Premium Suite

Travel Periods: Jan. 01 – Jul. 06, 2024
Price and Room Selections:
$3595 Stateroom
$4095 Superior Suite
$4695 Premium Suite

**Note**
Single Occupancy Rates Available…Contact For Rates

Expires at 2:00pm on Thursday June 20th, 2024

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Nautilus Under Sea Liveaboard – Giant Mantas, Sharks & Dolphins Special – Socorro Island, Mexico

8 Nights’ accommodations (Double Occupancy), Complimentary Warm Up Dive at See Creatures Cabo San Lucas Before Boarding, All Meals (Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert), Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Snacks, 6 Days of Up To 4 Dives Daily Including Use of Nautilus LifeLine, DiveAlert, SMB Safety Sausage, Nautilus Dive Light and Tank Beacon (Please Note That Several Dives May Be Quite Challenging and Not Suitable For Divers Of Lower Experience Levels), Kayaking, Paddle Boards, Shoreline Tours, Humpback Whale Watching (Jan. – Apr.) and End of Trip Slideshow DVD and Onboard Facilities Such as the Hot Tub and Lounge (Not Included Tax,  Port Fee and Marine Park Fees)

Travel Period: Oct. 30 – Dec. 26, 2023
Price FROM and Room Selections:
$3595 Stateroom
$4095 Superior Suite
$4695 Premium Suite

Travel Period: 2024
Price FROM and Room Selections:
$3595 Stateroom
$4095 Superior Suite
$4695 Premium Suite

*Contact Us for Single and Triple Occupancy Rates

Expires at 2:00pm on Friday December 20th, 2024

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Hawaii

The State of Hawaii is a scuba diving destination 2,000 miles SW from the mainland of the United States. The Hawaii archipelago consist of 137 islands and is 1,500 miles long. However, there are only 8 main islands. The largest population of Hawaiians are on the island of Oahu. Ironically, the second largest group of Hawaiians live in or near Las Vegas, Nevada. The islands were first populated by waves of Polynesians from 124AD to 1120AD. The Hawaiian language is similar to spoken Marquesan and Tahitian Polynesian. Captain Cook was the first European to land on the islands in 1778 and called them the Sandwich Islands. However, there is evidence that the Spanish passed by the islands in 1542 on their way from Mexico to the Philippines.  They wrote down their own island names, but kept their route secret. Sea Turtles; The Godfathers of Scuba Dive Magazines?

Nevertheless, after making contact with the Europeans, half the Hawaiian population died from influenza, small pox, and measles. Immigrants from the Gwondong region of China, the Philippines, Korea, Japanese, Germans, and Portuguese were brought in to work the sugar and later pineapple plantations. In 1893 Queen Lili’uokalani was overthrown by a group of US citizens with the assistance of US military troops. In 1959 Hawaii entered statehood. So, 1993 Hawaii received an official apology for the abrupt takeover signed by Bill Clinton.

Diving Kauai, Molokai, & Maui

Scuba diving around the islands is all about the former volcanic activity. You can dive caves, lava tubes, and tunnels; also, canyons, fingers, and craters. The beaches of Hawaii are black sand or white sand depending on the island. The islands have had time to acquired their own species of fish, birds, and plants. On Kauai, the garden island, there are over a dozen dive sites. However, currents and undertows can make many beach dive entrances difficult. Some of the top sites include Three Fingers, Sheraton Caverns, and Brenneckes Ledge. You can also go by boat over to the privately own island in Hawaii called Niihau to dive seldom seen reefs. Over at Maui you can scuba diving around 15 sites including: Molokini Crater, 5 Caves, or Airport Beach.

You can also take a boat over to Molakai and dive Fish Rain or go over to Lanai and dive the Cathedrals and tunnels. Keep in mind it is like a bathtub between the islands and you have a good chance of hearing humpback whales while diving.

Diving Oahu & Hawaii Island

Oahu has another 15 scuba diving sites. However, the local fish population has been more impacted by multiple factors. However, the minesweeper Mahi sunk in 1983, is a major attraction. So, Three Tables and Shark’s Cove are also quite popular. Look for juvenile white tip sharks under the ledges, crevices, and rocks. On the big island of Hawaii there are over two dozen scuba diving sites to choose from. The top dives have to be Pelagic Magic where you go 3 miles offshore at night and dive in the middle of a bioluminescent show, and The Manta Ray Night Dive where you watch mantas feed. You can watch the turtles get cleaned at Turtle Pinnacle. Au Au Crater, Black Coral Forest, Catacombs Manuka Bay and Pohoe Bay are all great dive sites.

To see most of the best dive sites on the Hawaiian Islands, you need to take a liveaboard boat. Finally, plan on a diving a week to fully experience the great diving.

Accommodations Attractions, Activities

In the islands you have a choice of luxury resorts, hotels, & inns. Now, you may like to go hiking mountains, visiting falls, and exploring rivers. You can surf, snorkel or boogie board til your heart’s content. Furthermore, Hawaii is the only state to produce coffee. They also have Portuguese sausage and rice for breakfast. So, plate lunches feature spicy Korean beef ribs, sweet Japanese teriyaki chicken, or grilled spam. Finally, dinner menus can be a fusion of Asian delights. They also have American favorites and traditionally cooked Hawaiian treats or feasts.

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Australia (Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea)

Australia truly is a one of a kind country and the sixth largest continent. The geology of the land goes back 4.8 billion years.  Dinosaur fossils and prehistoric foot tracks are on display and gems such as opulent opals and spectacular sapphires can either be collected or purchased depending on the tour. Queensland is the scuba diving state and home of the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is the place to go for most liveaboard and day boat dive adventures. Osprey Reef has to be one of the most pristine and spectacular dive destinations in the Coral Sea. There are 1,500 species of fish and 400 species of coral out here. Enjoy our blog stories: Australia Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef and  110,000 Reasons to Go Liveaboard.

Diving Australia, Queensland, and the Coral Sea

Cairns is located up north towards the top of the Great Barrier Reef. This is the scuba diving gateway to such locations as Osprey Reef where the liveaboards go to view a dozen of the 125 species of sharks found in Australia. Moreover, there are dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, and dugongs. At North Horn, divers can view shark feeds being professionally fed. Pelagics such as Maori “Napoleon” wrasse, turtles, and rays hang out at False Entrance. Lizard Island is popular for day and night dives and from here it less than an hour to Cod Hole, part of the Ribbon Reefs, where professional divers feed Giant potato cod fish. Yonge Reef, Dynamite Passage, and Big Softy are also quite popular. Closer to Cairns, Australia are several other reefs to dive as well as the Lord Howe Island and the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs up by Port Douglas.

Townsville is home to Magnetic Island, the Whitsunday Islands, Heron Island, and Lady Elliot Island.  Just south of here is 358ft long passenger ship SS Yongala. She went down in 1911 The destroyer HMS Brisbane was purposefully sunk in 2005.

Brisbane on the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef is home to Morton Island and North Stradbroke Island. You can do both day and night dives at Shag Rock. Gotham City, Cherub’s Cave and the Tagalooma Wrecks are great dives off of Morton Island.

Accommodations, Attractions, Activities

Liveaboards in Australia are the only way to see Osprey Reef and many of the outer islands in the Coral Sea. Inner Great Barrier Reef day trips can be arranged from some island resorts, and day trips can also be arranged from most major cities. Fossiking for gold, gems and laying on the beach are popular activities. Visiting aquariums such as Underwater World and Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo are great attractions. Many visitors like to spend a few days in Sydney before or after going up to Cairns in order to see the architectural master piece known as the Sydney Opera House and scenic surrounding harbor.

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Nautilus Liveaboards

Nautilus Liveaboards offers 3 main scuba diving excursions from Mexico. So, Guadalupe Island offers Great Whites. Moreover, Socorro offers giant mantas, 10 species of sharks, and occasional pods of dolphins. Furthermore, the Sea of Cortez/Cabo Pulmo offers bull sharks, seals, and possibly even Humbolt squids. Enjoy our blog article Cage Diving with Great White Sharks.

Nautilus Liveaboard Diving

They currently have a small fleet of four scuba diving vessels. The largest is the newest 147ft long ship Belle Amie. With 17 guest cabins, she can hold up to 32 guests. She also boasts the ability to handle 5 shark cages at a time for maximum Great White viewing pleasure. Coming in next is the 132ft long Nautilus Explorer. So, she was the first ship to join the fleet. She was remodeled in 2018. Above all, she has 13 cabins and can hold 25 guests. The Explorer has one surface cage and 2 submersible cages. Currently, the Mexican Government has prohibited  shark diving in Guadalupe but this is subject to change.

Now for a more intimate voyage there is the 116ft long Gallant Lady. This yacht has 6 cabins for up to 12 guests. Finally, they have the 105ft long Nautilus Undersea. This vessel has 9 rooms and holds up to 19 guests. All ships have a hot tub, internet access, satellite phone, air-conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms. Meals are prepared buffet style.

Attraction and Activities

Now if you are on the Nautilus Liveaboard 6-day trip to Guadalupe, expect 3 days of cage diving, Figure unlimited surface cage diving and 3 dives a day in a submersible cage. Guadalupe fur seal and sea lions just add to the mixture. Meanwhile, while diving the Revillagigedo Archipelago, plan on visiting Roca Partida, San Benedicto, and Socorro Island. This triangular area is where 20ft wide mantas may make you feel small, but seasonal whale sharks and humpback whales may not make you feel any more significant.

The sharks include whale sharks, small white tips hiding together under rocks, and larger pelagics white tips hanging out at the edge of the blue. Silver tips, silkies, schooling hammerheads, dusky, thresher, and an occasional tiger shark may also be viewed. Over in the Sea of Cortez it’s all about the bull sharks.

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Solmar V

Solmar V is a 112ft long scuba diving liveaboard with a home port in Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada during great white shark viewing season. There are 12 cabins accommodating 20 guests.  There are 2 single staterooms on the main deck. 4 standard staterooms and 6 Superior staterooms (more spacious) are on the lower deck. Each room has air-conditioning, ensuite bathroom, and TV/DVD. Each room also comes with a top of the line “Pillow Top” mattress. Enjoy our blog article Cage Diving with Great White Sharks.

Solmar V Diving

From November to July, scuba diving guests go out to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro Islands).  So, these trips take place out of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Moreover, on they are either 9- or 10-day trips. The major attractions for those on the Solmar V are the giant mantas, and some 10 species of sharks. The sharks include whale sharks, small white tips hiding together under rocks, and larger pelagics white tips hanging out at the edge of the blue. Silver tips, silkies, schooling hammerheads, dusky, thresher, and an occasional tiger shark may also be viewed. January to April humpback whales make a brief appearance too.

From August to October, Solmar V shifts its on shore address to Ensenada, Mexico and they dive out at Guadalupe Island. This is where you’ll find great white sharks and their favorite foods, the elephant seal, sea lion, and Guadalupe fur seal. The ship has 2 four-person cages. In addition, 1 three-person submersible cage is self-propelled and can dive down to 30ft. Expect to see several different great whites in various poses with wide smiles. This is a 4 night/ 5-day trip. An air-conditioned coach takes you from San Diego to Ensenada and return. Currently, the Mexican Government has prohibited shark diving in Guadalupe but this is subject to change.

Attractions and Activities

Solmar V boasts even a 3-course meal during lunch that may include homemade soup. Dinner typically begins with a salad. Next you may have fresh seafood, chicken, or beef that is expertly seasoned and prepared by the chef. Desert tops of each nightly meal. So, on the scuba side, Solmar V is equipped with a Sea Wave satellite phone and a state-of-the-art phone and email system; you can sign up for this service before departure. So, a computer station is available in the lounge to download images of the giant mantas, whale sharks, dolphins, humpback whales, false killer whales, and sharks.
RIB inflatable tenders or pangas may take divers out to the dive sites for the Socorro trips. Nitrox is available for a fee. Solmar V has one of the largest dive decks in this region, with plenty of room for camera equipment. Finally, when not diving, you can go kayaking, wind surfing, or snorkeling on the Socorro trips. You can lounge on the top deck, or take in a view great whites and seals on the Guadalupe trips.
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Mexico

Mexico is a culturally and historically rich country. It’s located in the southern portion of North America. Thus, Mexico is the sixth-most visited country in the world. A population of 120 million people means it’s the world’s largest Spanish speaking country. The advanced Mayan civilization originated in the Yucatan area of what is now Mexico around 2600 BC. Scuba diving is widespread in these regions.

DIVING COZUMEL, RIVIERA MAYA, ISLA MUJERES

Cozumel is known for its drift diving, this means great underwater visibility, and numerous marine species. So, depending on the season, currents may vary from nonexistent to about two knots. At times, you may be able to experience the Cozumel Drift. This means spectacular diving with little to no effort. Cozumel is suitable for all levels of divers from beginners with good buoyancy to experienced divers. Although there is some shore diving, the best diving is from boats. As such, there are 40 dive sites and miles of underwater scenery to explore.
You can see sea turtles, stingrays, nurse sharks, small black tips, barracudas, and the indigenous toadfish. Some of the top dive sites include Santa Rosa Wall, Columbia wall, Paradise and Palancar reef. Read our blog: Destination Spotlight: Cozumel, Mexico 

Riviera Maya is on Mexico’s northeastern Yucatán Peninsula. Scuba diving predominates the 65 mile length of its Caribbean Sea coastline. As a result, form Puerto Morales to Tulum are an extensive number of dive sites. Therefore, you can expect dives to healthy coral reefs, walls and even a few wrecks. Likewise, currents provide divers excellent underwater visibility. Thus, enabling sightings of a diverse array of marine fish, invertebrate and mollusk life. Turtles, sharks, rays, eels are common and pelagic species are often seen. Pared Verde off Playa del Carmen and Xaak near Akumal are among the best dive sites. Also, unique to this area are Cenotes. These are land based entrances to fresh water underground river systems with unique geological architecture. Dos Ojos is one of the most famous and most often visited cavern dive sites. Learn more about this destination with our blog story

Near Cancun

Isla Mujeres – while this area off Cancun is not as well known, it has appeal for beginner to experienced divers. Coral reefs dominate the dive sites but there are arches, ledges and wrecks. Besides the usual reef species of marine life, soft corals and sponges expect eels, rays, turtles and sharks. Beyond the normal array of smaller underwater critters expect the largest fish. Whale Shark season spans from June to September. Hence, hundreds of whale sharks migrate to feed on the plankton that is plentiful in these waters. Prominent dive sites include MUSA (an underwater museum), Punta Negra, and the C58 Minesweeper Wreck. Enjoy Diving With Whale Sharks.

Baja Peninsula

La Paz is one of Mexico’s most cosmopolitan of cities and where many dive liveaboards originate. The diving matches the city both in terms of variety and quality. The Sea of Cortez and is home to sea lions, whale sharks, manta and mobula rays, dolphins, huge schools of fish and some fascinating macro life. Diving Espirito Santo and Partida islands especially, means encountering sea lions, hammerhead sharks, manta rays and whale sharks. “Cabo Pulmo” national park is famous for its quantity of marine life. Well known dive sites include El Bajo (Seamount), Los Islotes, La Reina and the Salvatierra wreck.

Cabo San Lucas is at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. Its marine park is best known for its dramatic rock formations and wall dives. Here you have the chance to see beautiful coral reefs and many different types of rays. In addition, you can experience the famous “Sandfalls” and “Sea Lion Colony” next to the iconic rock arch. Also, the deep seamounts at Gordo Banks means encountering pelagic fish. In addition to marlin, sailfish, dorado, wahoo, large schools of tuna and jacks, look for whale sharks. Finally, the “Blow Hole” contrast underwater pinnacles and large schools of fish.

Offshore Islands

Socorro Island is a small volcanic island but also largest of the 4 Revillagigedo Islands. Accordingly, it’s Pacific Ocean location 250 miles off the southern Baja coast assures pristine diving. Especially, November thru June offering once in a life time encounters with the oceans largest creatures. Together with giant manta rays, pods of dolphins and multiple shark species; you can encounter Humpback whales. This area can only be accessed by dive liveaboards. Likewise, sea conditions and currents, require a more experienced diver. Key dive sites for these islands include Cabo Pearce, El Canyon and The Boiler.

Guadalupe is a small island in the Pacific Ocean. Opposite but 165 miles west of the upper region on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Thus, it is only accessible by dive liveaboards. Compared to other dive destinations, there are no colorful reefs. Singularly it’s all about diving with one creature – the great white shark. Therefore, you can observe, encounter and photograph this apex predator from a safety cage. Beyond this island there are only a few locations to see a number of great whites. None offer 100+ feet of visibility. The season is August to October, as the ocean is calmest with colder temperatures. Read our bog on this apex predator: Cage Diving with Great White Sharks

Accommodations, Attractions, Activities

Especially in Mexico are scores of dive resorts, all inclusive, condos and hotels. Every dive traveler will have choices. Accordingly, besides the offshore islands there are hundreds of restaurants. San Gervasio is an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, located in the northern third of the island of Cozumel. Also, the Tulum Archaeological site. Museo Regional de Antropología E Historia in La Paz for indigenous culture and cave paintings. Similarly, Iglesia de San Lucas and Town Square in Cabo San Lucas for the 1730 church and Spanish architecture. In comparison to other destinations, just about every activity imaginable is available.

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