Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard Overview

Last updated: November 13, 2024

Published: December 17, 2021

Nautilus Explorer liveaboard dive boat cruising near rugged coastal cliffs

After your adrenaline-filled dives, relax in any of 13 cabins, designed to accommodate a total of 25 guests.

The Nautilus Explorer liveaboard anchored near steep coastal cliffs at sunset

In 2018, the Nautilus Explorer’s main deck was lengthened to 132 feet (40m), giving divers more room to spread out and enjoy their time onboard.

Divers gearing up on deck while a skiff waits alongside for pickup

Choosing the Nautilus Explorer means embarking on an 8-, 9-, or 10-day trip and logging up to 18 dives around world-famous dive sites around Socorro Island.

Aerial view looking straight down on the Nautilus Explorer's deck and sun loungers

To charter these remote, pelagic-filled waters, the Nautilus Explorer is the first dive boat to meet the same international standards as cruise ships.

A diver swimming beside a massive school of mobula rays underwater

The wildlife in Socorro has earned a reputation among divers for being friendly, curious, and playful.

Aerial view of two blue whales surfacing side by side in open ocean

Diving in Socorro promises divers exciting encounters with charismatic marine life, including giant mantas, whale sharks, dolphins, and hammerheads.

A large pod of common dolphins leaping and swimming near the surface

Gigantic schools of dolphins are not uncommon in Socorro.

Scuba diver hovering beside a massive whale shark in blue water

There's nothing quite like seeing a whale shark underwater. (Image courtesy of Nautilus Dive Adventures)

A diver silhouetted beneath a dense school of baitfish swirling near the surface

The dive season in Socorro runs from November to June.

Two large manta rays swimming vertically past each other in blue water

Humpback whales, manta rays, whale sharks, and huge schools of fish are hallmarks of a dive trip with the Nautilus Explorer in Socorro Island.

Large school of hammerhead sharks swimming together in blue open water

This is what you came for: schooling hammerheads are almost a given on a Cocos dive trip. (Image courtesy of Nautilus Dive Adventures)

Common lounge area aboard the Nautilus Explorer with sofas, a coffee table, and a bar counter

The main salon is spacious yet cozy with big couches and a wooden bar counter.

Twin bed cabin aboard the Nautilus Explorer with ocean-view windows and a mounted TV

There are eight staterooms and one triple stateroom on the lower deck, all with AC and plenty of storage space.

Group of whitetip reef sharks resting on a rocky reef ledge

Hammerheads aren't the only common sharks at Cocos. (Image courtesy of Nautilus Dive Adventures)

Aerial view of Chatham Bay at Cocos Island with a boat anchored over turquoise reef below forested hills

Cocos Island is a paradise both above and below water. (Photo courtesy of Nautilus Dive Adventures)

Where to book

PADI TravelSecure online booking Liveaboard.comNo booking fees Divebooker.comFree DAN insurance

The flagship boat of the Nautilus fleet, the Nautilus Explorer really does do it all. Humpback whales, manta rays, whale sharks, and huge schools of fish in Socorro Island; mobulas, orcas, and whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez; and, from August to September each year, the liveaboard visits legendary Cocos Island, 30-plus hours off the coast of Costa Rica. Here you’ll find enormous schools of hammerheads, tiger sharks, ripping currents, and a trip of a lifetime.

To charter these remote, pelagic-filled waters, the Nautilus Explorer is the first dive boat to meet the same international standards as cruise ships. Built in Canada, its safety, stability, navigation and communication machinery on board meet the stringent maritime design and construction requirements to ensure a safe, stable, and pleasant voyage at sea.

Beyond its safety features, in 2018, the Nautilus Explorer’s main deck was lengthened to 132 feet (40m), giving divers more room to spread out and enjoy their time onboard.

There’s a lot more to say, so keep reading as we dive into our review of the Nautilus Explorer.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Disclosure: We are reader supported, and may earn affiliate commissions when you buy through us.

Things we like:

Diving with lots of pelagics
Steel hulled ship certified to the same safety standards as international cruise ships
Caters to technical and rebreather divers
WiFi onboard for a surcharge

Things we don't like:

Nitrox is available but not included
Some cabins have a sink between the beds
Port fee not included ($35 per person)

Where to book

PADI TravelSecure online booking Liveaboard.comNo booking fees Divebooker.comFree DAN insurance

Diving on the Nautilus Explorer liveaboard

A sea lion nuzzling into a coral outcrop underwater

Two orcas swimming close together in open blue water

A striped marlin approaching a tight bait ball of sardines underwater

Choosing the Nautilus Explorer means embarking on an 8-, 9-, or 10-day trip and logging up to 18 dives around world-famous dive sites around Socorro Island, the Sea of Cortez, or legendary Cocos Island.

Diving in Socorro promises exciting encounters with charismatic marine life, including giant mantas, whale sharks, dolphins, and hammerheads, depending on the season. You can even dive with sea lions and may see humpback whales breaching the surface.

The season in Socorro runs from November to June, and because of the strong currents and the advanced dive sites, the Nautilus Explorer only welcomes advanced divers. The dive boat also has the facility and equipment to support technical and rebreather divers.

The Sea of Cortez is not called the “Aquarium of the World” for nothing. The season here runs year-round, and divers may see everything from playful sea lions at Los Islotes to a pod of hunting orcas. Swirling schools of jacks, mantas, mobula rays, sperm whales, and even blue whales visit these waters as well.

Finally, legendary Cocos Island is accessible via the Nautilus Explorer from August through mid-September. This uninhabited—save for rotating national park rangers—tropical paradise gives strong “Jurassic Park” vibes and visitors should not pass up the opportunity for a shore visit. Underwater, expect the greatest hits—huge schools of hammerheads, tiger sharks, marble rays, Galapagos sharks, and more.

The Nautilus Explorer departs and returns to Cabo San Lucas, in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula for Socorro trips, La Paz for Sea of Cortez trips, and Golfito in Costa Rica for Cocos expeditions.

Highlights:

Remote, uncrowded dive sites in Cocos
Tons of pelagic life no matter the destination
Supports technical and rebreather divers

Onboard the Nautilus Explorer

Lounge cabin aboard the Nautilus Explorer with a corner sofa and ocean-view window

Guest stateroom on the Nautilus Explorer with a king bed and twin ocean-view windows

After your adrenaline-filled dives, relax in any of 13 cabins, designed to accommodate a total of 25 guests. There are eight staterooms and one triple stateroom on the lower deck, all with AC and plenty of storage space. Although all cabins are ensuite, some staterooms have a sink between the beds.

There are three superior suites on the wheelhouse deck. These have a desk, larger windows, and one suite also has a TV. There is also one premium suite with floor-to-ceiling windows, a separate lounge area, and a full-size bathtub.

The main salon is spacious yet cozy with big couches and a wooden bar counter. There are also dedicated computers to edit your photos and videos, a small library, and a video-audio entertainment system. The dining room has big tables where everyone has their meals together.

Exterior spaces include a sun deck with sun loungers and a hot tub on the wheelhouse deck for divers to enjoy while indulging in drinks and snacks service.

The back of the boat has a water-level dive platform for easy entry and exit from the water. The spacious dive deck features benches, storage spaces, and a large camera table, giving all divers plenty of room to get ready.

Other than diving, the Nautilus Explorer also has snorkeling gear, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards.

Highlights:

Internet available for a surcharge (depending on destination)
Hot tub on deck
Dedicated computers to edit photos and videos
Kayaks and standup paddle boards available

Dining on board the Nautilus Explorer

Dining lounge aboard the Nautilus Explorer with blue booth seating and wooden tables

When it comes to eating on board the Nautilus Explorer, you can expect a fusion of Mexican and American food. Divers with special dietary requirements must give the crew 30-days’ notice to ensure that needs are accommodated.

All meals are either served buffet-style or made to order. The Nautilus Explorer also has a nice selection of alcoholic drinks available at a reasonable price, including Mexican and international liquor..