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Dive Review of Nautilus Explorer in
Mexico (Western)/Socorro

Nautilus Explorer: "Socorro Islands - bait balls, pilot whales and manta madness!", Apr, 2022,

by Kabir Teja (Dive Hard), FL, US (Reviewer Reviewer 5 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 12074.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments For the full overview of this trip, check out the full DIVE HARD trip report on our YouTube channel: [youtu.be link]

The last time I visited Socorro (successfully), it was on this boat, around the same time of year and roughly 10 year prior. What struck me was that there were actually MORE sharks this time than last, which is extremely rare these days. As always, the mantas were incredibly friendly, approaching divers, circling around them, making eye contact etc. Really special behavior, especially from such large and majestic animals. We had a few, short dolphin encounters, but nothing like the magic they gave me last time around (when they spent 20 minutes with us, imitating divers and blowing bubbles from their blow holes). However, we were graced with pilot whales at Roca Partida (and a massive bait ball!!) which gave us plenty of magic to work with. I just love diving in Socorro - it is an incredible place and if you have the means to go, you should go!

The Nautilus Explorer is a great boat - its comfortable, the food is great, a spacious dive deck and amazing crew. One BIG complaint: there are only every 4 15L tanks, which is massively problematic for folks like me that carry huge camera rigs and are swimming around gathering specific shots, etc. Despite asking for tanks well in advance, and having the shop confirm them, I had to use a 12L tank for the trip (so did another diver with the second biggest camera rig). For such an expensive trip, this is ridiculous and unacceptable. However, this is the only negative comment I have about the operation. I would go back with the Nautilus in a heartbeat - but next time, I will secure my own tank in Cabo San Lucas and bring it on board with me :)



Websites Nautilus Explorer   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Lots of places! Eastern Pacific (Cocos, Malpelo, Galapagos, Socorro), Indonesia (Raja Ampat, Komodo, Lembeh, Bali), Philippines (Malapascua, Cebu, Dumaguete, Anilao), South Africa, Maldives, all over the Caribbean, etc.
Closest Airport SJD Getting There Direct flight to San Jose del Cabo from NYC, JetBlue makes it easy

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, dry Seas calm, surge
Water Temp 78-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 60-100 Ft/ 18-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales 1 or 2
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Great dive deck and dedicated dry area for cameras, air blowers, rinse tanks, etc. Overall very good for big rigs
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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