Nautilus Under Sea Liveaboard, Mexico

Day 1:
Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing.

Day 2:
Today is a traveling and relaxing day at sea. It is a one day run out to the islands. An orientation briefing will be held in the morning, followed by a fire and boat safety drill. A drill? On holiday? Don’t worry, it is for your safety but we will make it lots of fun. We are proud to have been the first, and some of the only, ISM safety certified passenger vessel dive boats in the world, the same safety certification as the largest cruise ships. We’ll keep you as busy as you like on this sea day with Manta 101 in the afternoon, then you will have a chance to prep your gear, read a book, relax on the sun deck or check out the movie selection on our onboard wifi. We will be watching for the “green flash” at sunset, and while cocktail hour is officially at 19:00 every evening, many of our guests enjoy some adult beverages well before that on sea days! We should arrive at San Benedicto Island that evening allowing you a calm night to relax and get a restful sleep before the next morning’s excitement of diving with the friendliest giant mantas in the world.

Day 3-7:
Over five full dive days, you will be able to experience some of our favorite sites such as El Canyon, the Boiler, Red Rocks, Roca Partida, Cabo Pearse, Punta Tosca, and Roca Oneal. We know that many of our guests want the option of as many dives as possible and we strive to offer an average of 4 dives a day, other than the day that we do our mandatory check-in at the local navy base when you will likely have the option of 3 dives plus our world-famous silky shark night snorkel. Our roots are in the cold, current-swept waters of BC and Alaska and we have always catered to experienced self-reliant divers looking for complete freedom on their dives. These divers are usually first in the water. We love buddying up with new divers looking for the reassurance of being with a dive master from the time they start gearing up until they are back on the big boat. Most divers are somewhere mid-spectrum between these 2 groups and we make sure they are very well looked after as well! Note that several dives may be quite challenging and not suitable for divers of lower experience levels. The number of dives on offer is subject to weather, the whims of Mother Ocean, and crowding by other dive boats. We will have other stuff going on to keep you as busy as you like with kayaks and paddle boards, shoreline tours, humpback whale watching (January to April), manta ID in the late afternoon and after-dinner presentations. Of course, it’s always your option to find a nice quiet place to relax with a book, have a nice snooze, or maybe have a splash in our sparkling clear hot tubs.

Day 8:
We will likely get underway very early this morning for the voyage back to Cabo San Lucas. This is the perfect day to check out photos and videos with the new friends you made onboard, pack your dive gear up, and take time to relax before reality sets back in. The islands, the mantas, the sharks, and the dolphins are almost “otherworldly” and we hope the magic stays with you for a long time.

Day 9:
Check-out from the yacht.

This is a sample itinerary. Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons 

Day 1:
Drop by our SeeCreatures in downtown Cabo to get kitted up with any rental gear you might need and take advantage of the Backscatter photo workshop. Or if you prefer, sign up for some additional Cabo diving before embarkation ng our beautiful Gallant lady. Please be back at the SeeCreatures Cabo by16:00 to board your liveaboard and depart for the Sea of Cortez. There will be a cocktail hour on the deck to watch the sunset. Enjoy a smooth overnight run continuing north.

Days 2-7:
We’ll be exploring the best of the southern Sea of Cortez including our old favorites: the wreck of the ferry Salvatierra, the beautiful Suwanee Reef teeming with life, the charming sea lions at Los Islotes, giant mantas at La Reyna, Las Animas, and Cerralvo Island. Years ago, we stopped offering trips into the Sea of Cortez because the mantas and sharks had disappeared. We are incredibly gratified that the population is rebounding, and we should see sharks, a chance of seeing mantas, as well as the more typical Sea of Cortez life. Our choice of dive sites will depend on weather, visibility, animals, etc. - you can be assured your captain & crew will do their very best to give you the greatest possible dive experience. On the last day, we’ll have dinner and one last night under the stars before departing overnight for Cabo San Lucas. 

Day 8:
Check-out from the yacht.

This is a sample itinerary. Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
We encourage you to take advantage of our complimentary photo imaging workshop at SeeCreatures on the morning of your departure. Our photo pros are experts at coaching you towards that perfect image. They will also have rental GoPros cameras available, along with additional coaching if you want to take one along on your adventure.
Please meet at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas. Feel encourage to drop by anytime to drop your bags off and maybe go for a couple of local dives!! We ask that all our guests are back at SeeCreatures by 4:30 pm for the coach transfer to La Paz.

Day 2:
Your first day at sea typically starts anchored off a quiet beach at Cerralvo Island for a warm-up dive and then over to the incredible tornadoes of fish at La Reyna. This is also our best chance of encountering giant manta rays in the entire Sea of Cortes. We encourage our non-diving guests to arrange before their trip for snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming coaching, or a complimentary discover scuba experience.

Days 3-7:
Where we go next will vary. We might have reports of a huge pod of dolphins or even orcas or sperm whales. Interactions are always on their terms.
During your days at sea, we will almost certainly visit Isla Las Animas, which boasts a large population of sea lions. This can be a great hammerhead shark destination for divers and a great snorkeling opportunity, and a chance for everyone else to go ashore. We’ll likely spend time around the National Park of Espiritu Santo, check out some wreck diving, go ashore for beach time or hikes into the hills guided by our naturalist, and enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, or whatever you want. Divers usually have the option of 4 dives a day. You can expect 2 days in Loreto National Park diving Coronado and Danzante, and perhaps Carmen Island.

Day 8:
Morning breakfast. Disembark at 8:30 am in La Paz and a complimentary transfer back to either SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas or SJD Airport.
Your last day is always sad for us. We hate to say goodbye. But wait, you don’t have to say goodbye just yet. There is still time to head up to Cabo Pulmo with us for a one-day adventure or take advantage of our special offer, staying in a local hotel. Or for divers, this could be your chance to dive the famous pinnacles of Gordo Banks before you go home!

This is a sample itinerary. Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Meet at SeeCreatures Cabo. Afternoon board your liveaboard and depart for cocktails, dinner, and a sunset cruise into the Sea of Cortez.

Day 2:
Wake up in a bay close to Cerralvo Island loaded with aggregating mobula rays. Huge schools of these beautiful rays gather overnight and through 9 or 10 o’clock in the morning and we recommend an early start to the day to get the best in-water experience with the rays. We will likely spend the afternoon diving or snorkelling La Reyna.

Day 3:
Espiritu Santo Unesco World Heritage site and national park.

Day 4:
Wake up at Las Animas for some great diving or snorkelling with sea lions and our best chance to see hammerhead sharks.

Day 5:
Wake up in the Loreto National Park. We’ll likely start with a wreck dive and then some of our favourite sites around Carmen Island, or something equally fun depending on the animals and weather. Our spotter airplane will be out scouting for interesting critters in the area.

Day 6:
Wake up at Isla San Pedro Martir, the jewel of the Sea of Cortez. Experience everything from black coral and interacting with sea lions to great diving to and going ashore to exploring this desert island, under one of the very few permits ever issued. We will be at anchor tonight.

Day 7-9:
Another day exploring San Pedro Martir.

Bahia de Los Angeles. Yes, we can go diving if you want, but this is our chance to spend the day swimming and snorkelling with whale sharks in splendid isolation. With a bit of luck, we will have the whale sharks to ourselves. These whale sharks are often interested in human watching and can become quite friendly with us.

Day 10:
Sea day transiting home. But we will be detouring right through the “sweet spot” we discovered. There are good upwellings in this area, and with the help of our spotter airplane and crew on the top deck glued to their binoculars, we have had good luck with both sperm whales and pilot whales, and sometimes even orcas.

Day 11:
Check-out from the yacht.

This is a sample itinerary. Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Drop by our SeeCreatures in downtown Cabo to get kitted up with any rental gear you might need and take advantage of the Backscatter photo workshop. Or if you prefer, sign up for some additional Cabo diving before embarkation ng our beautiful Gallant lady. Please be back at the SeeCreatures Cabo by16:00 to board your liveaboard and depart for the Sea of Cortez. There will be a cocktail hour on the deck to watch the sunset. Enjoy a smooth overnight run continuing north.

Days 2-5:
We’ll be exploring the best of the southern Sea of Cortez including our old favorites: the wreck of the ferry Salvatierra, the beautiful Suwanee Reef teeming with life, the charming sea lions at Los Islotes, giant mantas at La Reyna, Las Animas, and Cerralvo Island. Years ago, we stopped offering trips into the Sea of Cortez because the mantas and sharks had disappeared. We are incredibly gratified that the population is rebounding, and we should see sharks, a chance of seeing mantas, as well as the more typical Sea of Cortez life. Our choice of dive sites will depend on weather, visibility, animals, etc. - you can be assured your captain & crew will do their very best to give you the greatest possible dive experience. On the last day, we’ll have dinner and one last night under the stars before departing overnight for Cabo San Lucas. 

Day 6:
Check-out from the yacht.

This is a sample itinerary. Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing.

Day 2:
At sea. Evening arrival at San Benedito Island.

Day 3:
Diving Day. San Benedito is home to friendly giant mantas. 4 dives. Manta ID.

Days 4-5:
Dive at Socorro Island. Night snorkel with silky sharks. Shark behavior. Manta ID. 4 dives a day.

Days 6-9:
Diving at Roca Partida. 4 dives a day.

Day 10:
Return to the port.

Day 11:
Check-out from the yacht.

This is a sample itinerary. Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons 

Day 1:
Meet & greet at the airport. Group transfer to the port. Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing.

Days 2-5:
Departing & check dive. Safari according to the planned route.
During October and November, a magical event happens in the nutrient rich swirling blue waters off Magdalena Bay where striped marlin gathers to hunt on the second largest sardine run in the world. This thrilling underwater action is spectacular. There is an excellent chance of also seeing california sea lions, dolphins, wahoo, pelicans, different species of gulls, boobie birds, frigate birds, shearwaters, and even the awe inspiring albatross.

While it’s best to snorkel or free dive around the bait balls there will be plenty of scuba diving opportunities on your week long trip with massive schools of fish, turtles, and the wreck of a WW1 submarine and the passenger steamship SS Independence. But wait, there is more! Humpback whales are on the move at this time of year and if we are really lucky, we might even see orcas or blue whales!

Day 6:
2 dives on the last day. Return to the port.

Day 7:
Check-out from the yacht, group transfer to the airport.

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure, or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Complimentary photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas. Either 5 pm meet and board in Cabo or mid-afternoon transfer to La Paz. This trip is predominantly focused on snorkelling and freediving, however if you would like to dive we have rental gear available at SeeCreatures before boarding, or you can bring your own gear.

Days 2-7:
We usually start off at our favourite hotspot for masses of mobula rays leaping for joy first thing in the morning because, well, it’s really fun! And then we will weigh anchor and make our way. During your week onboard, we hope to get you in the water with mega pods of bottlenose dolphins. If we are lucky, we might spot spinner and Risso’s dolphins, known for their well-deserved reputation for amazing aerobatics. We will also encounter California sea lions, mobula rays, and hopefully cow-nose rays.

Big animals should be in the area, and our naturalist will be in touch with our network of friends and colleagues, exchanging notes. Scout, our spotter aircraft, will take to the air as often as possible, subject to wind and weather conditions. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for interactions with whale sharks. We will be actively searching for sperm whales, fin whales, and sometimes even minkes and pseudo orcas.

The highlight of any trip is if we spot the black fins of orcas slicing through the water. All interactions are conducted in compliance with the laws and regulations of Mexico. For our diving friends, bring your dive gear, and we will be sure to get you some splashes on local dive sites.

On several evenings, we will anchor in our best spots for in-water night interactions with the mobulas. Otherwise, enjoy the sunset, cocktail hour, dinner, and an evening presentation. Important note that strategic use of our accompanying fast boat will ensure the best sightings and interactions, but this may involve spending some time in the smaller boat cruising around in search of marine creatures.

Day 8:
Breakfast and disembarkation around 8:30 am. Check-out from the yacht.

This is a sample itinerary. Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing.

Days 2-10:
Departing & check dive. Safari according to the planned route.

Day 11:
2 dives on the last day. Return to the port.

Day 12:
Check-out from the yacht.

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Drop by our SeeCreatures in downtown Cabo to get kitted up with any rental gear you might need and take advantage of the Backscatter photo workshop. Or if you prefer, sign up for some additional Cabo diving before embarkation ng our beautiful Gallant lady. Please be back at the SeeCreatures Cabo by16:00 to board your liveaboard and depart for the Sea of Cortez. There will be a cocktail hour on the deck to watch the sunset. Enjoy a smooth overnight run continuing north.

Days 2-6:
We’ll be exploring the best of the southern Sea of Cortez including our old favorites: the wreck of the ferry Salvatierra, the beautiful Suwanee Reef teeming with life, the charming sea lions at Los Islotes, giant mantas at La Reyna, Las Animas, and Cerralvo Island. Years ago, we stopped offering trips into the Sea of Cortez because the mantas and sharks had disappeared. We are incredibly gratified that the population is rebounding, and we should see sharks, a chance of seeing mantas, as well as the more typical Sea of Cortez life. Our choice of dive sites will depend on weather, visibility, animals, etc. - you can be assured your captain & crew will do their very best to give you the greatest possible dive experience. On the last day, we’ll have dinner and one last night under the stars before departing overnight for Cabo San Lucas. 

Day 7:
Check-out from the yacht.

This is a sample itinerary. Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Complimentary backscatter photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas. Either 17:00 meet and board in Cabo or mid-afternoon transfer to La Paz. This trip is predominantly focused on snorkelling and freediving, however if you would like to dive we have rental gear available at SeeCreatures before boarding, or you can bring your own gear.

Day 2:
We always start off at our favourite hotspot for masses of mobula rays leaping for joy first thing in the morning because, well it’s really fun! Our airplane will be in the air scouting for orcas and other big critters and our naturalist will be in touch with friends up and down Baja to trade notes on animal sightings. We have been on the water running charters since 1974 and have a large network of colleagues that work together with us. Your captain will be in comm’s with your pilot for the latest updates and we will fire up the fast boat during the day to get close to any big animals. Cocktail hour. Sunset. Dinner. Evening presentation!

Days 3-4:
The local corumel wind tends to start blowing every evening until 10:30 am or so. Shore hikes, kayaking or scuba will be on offer in the morning. With our airplane taking off when the corumel wind dies down as critter spotting is very difficult when it’s choppy. We will spend the rest of the day trying to get you the best encounters possible within the bounds of the utmost respect for the animals.

Day 5:
Breakfast and disembarkation around 8:30 am. Check-out from the yacht.

This is a sample itinerary. Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons