SOCORRO LIVEABOARD
15 - 23rd February, 2028
Giant Mantas, Dolphins & 12 Species of Sharks
8 night Liveaboard, Led by Sid and Jo
Liveaboard Departs 15th February, 2028
Pricing from $5,015.00 per person
Led by Sid & Jo, Divemaster Life & Go with Jo
www.divemasterlife.com
Overview:
We love diving Socorro, especially in the spring and early summer. Socorro is always stunning, raw, and primal, offering fantastic diving experiences known for the super-friendly and interactive giant mantas. With 12 different species of sharks and playful bottlenose dolphins trying to outdo the mantas to see who can be the most playful with scuba divers. Despite being only 235 nautical miles from Cabo, it feels like being deep in the Pacific to a remote and unvisited paradise. You almost expect to see Game of Thrones dragons soaring out from behind the active volcano on Socorro. The archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a tightly guarded national park, accessible only to a limited number of permit holders.
Shark sightings are also very good at Socorro Island with common sightings of silky, galapagos, hammerhead, white tip and silver tip sharks. Whale sharks are usually spotted at the beginning of and the latter part of our season.
And, of course, there are the mantas. Nowhere else in the world boasts a population of giant oceanic mantas (Mobula birostris) that literally seek interaction with scuba divers and snorkelers. It is extraordinary. We have been running dive trips to Socorro since 1978, and these friendly giants have never ceased to amaze us. It is incredible when the sun is blotted out as a manta hovers directly above you. It might sound nutty, but we firmly believe that if you have an open heart and feel kindly to these gentle giants, they will respond, looking you directly in the eye and if they like what they see, seek out interaction. And that alone is reason enough to get out to Socorro Island as soon as you can.
January to April - Up close interaction with giant mantas and dolphins happens consistently year-round at Socorro. The unique interaction with giant mantas is what Socorro is famous for! The sharking is not bad either with 10 different species of sharks resident in the Islas. The water temperatures start chilling down to 73 – 74 degrees in January, which is when 1200 humpback whales from Alaska migrate down to Socorro for mating. You will see loads of whales on the surface and you will hear them singing underwater. You may even hear them singing through the hull of the ship at night.
You will have the chance of a lifetime for truly spectacular interaction with giant manta rays. Other dive boats visit these islands but only one of them has the experience necessary to get you up close and intimate with these animals.
Trip boards in Cabo San Lucas at 08:00 pm on February 15, 2028. Meets at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas. Please drop by anytime, checking in at 7 pm the latest. We have transfers arranged at 7:30 pm to your ship.
Ship returns to Cabo San Lucas by 08:30 am on February 23, 2028 and will disembark shortly afterwards.
Price Details:
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8 nights full board accommodation
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Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Welcome Cocktails
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Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Special Dinner,
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Diving Package,
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Kayaks,
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Stand Up Paddleboard,
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Cabin Towels,
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Complimentary Toiletries,
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Deck Towels.
Extra costs:
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Flights
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Socorro Island Park Fees
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Insurance
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Courses
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Equipment rental
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Gases
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Private Dive Guide
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Goods & Services Tax applies to payments made on board for equipment rental, nitrox, courses, alcohol, soft drinks and merchandise.
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Transfers
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Gratuities
Obligatory Charges:
Socorro Island Park Fees
National park fees charged by the Government of Mexico doubled on January 1, 2025. Some discounts and exceptions apply, [Click Here]. Nautilus has always partially subsidized these fees, and the current subsidized fee is US$172 per day in the park. Diving at Socorro has become truly excellent and has recovered from illegal fishing thanks in large part to the massive and costly efforts of the Mexican government. These park fees help cover some of those costs. There are some exceptions to the Park Fee (see below).
Exceptions (No park fee)
• Minors of less than 12 years old
• People with disability (with Medical Certificate)
• Elder people registered as that in the Mexican Institute (INAPAM)
• Retired or pension beneficiary (with certificate or copy of government issued letter)
75% Discount Revillagigedo Park Fee
• Students and teachers (with actual credential)
• People living is certain cities declared marginal by Government
50% Discount Revillagigedo Park Fee
• Mexican nationals (proof with passport, birth certificate or Mexican ID)
• Non Mexican nationals but residents in Mexico (Proof of residency via Immigration Agency Credential -temporary or permanent residency)
Schedule:
We recommend SJD Cabo San Lucas as your gateway airport for seamless transfers from the arrivals hall to Cabo San Lucas. Our concierges will be on standby to assist with arrangements, address special requests, and answer any questions you might have. We recommend flying into Cabo early to enjoy and partake in our Baja hospitality.
Day 1
Complimentary photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas. 8pm boarding.
Day 2
Traveling and relaxing at sea. It’s a one day run out to the socorro islands. Cocktail hour. Sunsets. Arrive at San Benedicto Island by evening.
Days 3-7
Over five full dive days, you will be able to experience some of our favourite sites such as El Canyon, the Boiler, Red Rocks, Roca Partida, Cabo Pearce, Punta Tosca and Roca Oneal. We will do our best to provide 4 dives a day subject to other dive boats being onsite, weather and only 3 dives on the day of mandatory inspection by the Mexican navy. Expect to see the friendliest giant mantas in the world, bottlenose dolphins, up to 12 species of sharks and loads 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 voyage back to Cabo San Lucas. Great time to look back on all your photos and videos, connect with new friends or simply relax during the journey back.
Day 9
Disembark at 8:30am in Cabo.
Further information can be found at the following link Socorro-Nautilus-Pre-Trip-2026-05-13-v2.pdf
CABIN CHOICES
Stateroom, $5,450 per person
6 Cabins, Lower Deck
1 x double & 1 bunk bed
Cabin # A, B, C, D, E & F
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1 Bunk bed (singles)
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Aircon with control
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Ensuite Bathroom
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Max 2 guests
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Mixed gender
Located on the lower deck, these staterooms feature
upper and lower beds, with configurations varying
across the seven staterooms. Each has an en-suite
bathroom with a private shower and individually controlled air conditioning.
Triple Stateroom, $5,015 per person
1 Cabin, Main Deck
2 x bunk beds
Cabin # Triple
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2 Bunk beds (singles)
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Aircon with control
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Ensuite Bathroom
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Max 3 guests
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Solo traveler friendly
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Mixed gender
Triple bunk staterooms offer the best value on the ship. These mixed-gender shared cabins accommodate three guests and are the same size as standard staterooms. They feature bunk beds, an en-suite bathroom with a private shower, and individually controlled air conditioning.
Rosario Suite ADA, $5,450 per person
1 Cabin, Main Deck
2 x twin beds lower
Cabin Rosario
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2 lower twin beds
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Aircon with control
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Ensuite Bathroom
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Max 2 guests
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Mixed gender
Adjacent to the dive deck, wheelchair friendly. Twin
beds, hugh window. Ensuite with private shower and
individually controlled air conditioning.
Premium Suite, $6,699 per person
1 Cabin, Sun Deck
double lower bed
Cabin Emerald
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1 Double or Twin (convertible)
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Aircon with control
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Ensuite Bathroom
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Max 2 guests
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Solo traveler friendly
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Picture Window
A large premium suite on the sun deck that can be
configured with either two full beds or one large bed.
It features a flat-screen TV, multiple windows, an en-suite bathroom, ample storage space, individually controlled air conditioning, and easy access to the hot tub.
BOAT DESCRIPTION AND PICTURES
The latest addition to the Nautilus fleet in Mexico, the 27m Nautilus Under Sea offers divers spectacular dive tours to the Socorro Islands in Mexico. An ex-research vessel with her claims to fame, including being the support boat for the James Bond Movie "License to Kill" and a Deep Rover mission with Dr. Silvia Earle, as well as many research and photography missions, the former Under Sea Hunter, has now re-located to Mexico. She caters to 19 guests in 9 en-suite, air-conditioned cabins. The Undersea Hunter also offers plenty of room for relaxation, with a comfortable lounge and dining area and a large sun deck with loungers.
The UnderSea first entered service in 1968 as the personal submarine tender to Dr. Perry of Perry Oceanographic. This sturdy and brave ship became one of the most famous dive boats in the world as the Undersea Hunter voyaging out to Cocos Island and in IMAX adventures around the South Pacific. We graced the ship with a massive shipyard refit including: stretching the hull out to 105 feet, a new superstructure and extended sun deck, a bulbous bow and stability system.
The dive deck offers ample space for kitting up and gear storage, as well as camera set-up and personal camera storage areas. The Nautilus Under Sea offers an amazing destination - the Socorro Islands. Diving the Socorro Islands, divers will come face to face with Giant Pacific Mantas, known as the friendliest mantas in the world! Also, there are sightings of up to 10 different kinds of sharks, dolphins, whale sharks, hammerheads, and humpback whales. Nautilus Under Sea offers 6-day trips with a pick-up in San Diego and leaving from Ensenada from July to November.
Deck Information
Sun Deck - Sun loungers, al fresco lounge, bar, hot tub and the Premium Suite.
Main Deck - Main lounge and dining room, dive deck, water level platform, ADA compatible stateroom and triple stateroom.
Lower Deck - 6 staterooms on the lower deck
Nautilus Undersea Liveaboard
Deck Plan
Sundeck
Main Deck
Lower Deck
FAQ's
Q - How do we book this?
A - Please get in touch with Mandy at mandy@scubadiveagent.com, or Sid at sijbrand04@gmail.com. Deposit is $1,000 per person,
Q - Can you book everything we need for this trip?
A - Yes, we can book airfares, accommodation and anything else you may want to do before and after your trip.
Q - What if we want to do travel before and after the group tour?
A - That is no problem. If you want to do additional pre and/or post tour travel, Mandy can help you with all your bookings.
Q - Is insurance necessary?
A - Yes, we highly recommend you get insurance. See insurance options below.
Q - What insurance options are available?
A - We have two travel insurance options available.
1) World Wide Travel Protection Policy - This policy will cover you if you are sick and can’t travel at the time of the cruise, this will give you back 100% of your monies paid with medical certificate from Doctor, there are other conditions that this policy pays on. A policy will be provided with all the conditions for you. Your age and the cost of your cabin determines this cost.
2) World Wide Travel Protection With Cancel Anytime - This cancel for any reason insurance must be purchased at time of deposit. It will cover you at 80% of the money you have paid out, but it will allow you to cancel for any reason. Your age and the cost of your cabin determine this cost. This is more slightly expensive than the medical insurance coverage above.
Q - Any other fees I should know about?
A - Creditcard Fees will be added to your package for processing charges. To avoid these fees you can pay by check or venmo or wire transfer etc. There are ways to avoid fees, just ask us.
Bookings: Email Mandy at mandy@scubadiveagent.com or Sid at sijbrand04@gmail.com