Dive Review of
Nautilis Explorer in
Mexico (Western)/Socorro Islands

Fiji, Bonaire, Belize, Honduras, Mexico, Hawaii, Saba, Bahamas, Cozumel,
Caymans

Dive Conditions

Don't go into the blue unless it was a planned "blue water" dive.
   

Although I do underwater photography and video, I did not take my cameras
because everyone else in the group also does photography, so I relied on
them to take the pictures, while I stayed out of the way!  But the
photography table was good.  

Overall Rating

This was our annual New Years Eve trip, and we all had a great time diving
together.  We all arrived in Cabo San Lucas and were taken to a nearby
hotel.  Once the group was gathered, we took a 2 hour bus ride to the
marina in La Paz.  We were greeted by the Nautilis staff, who took our bags
either to the dive deck or to our rooms. Once we settled in, we had dinner.
 We did a safety drill with life jackets, then went to our rooms to unpack.
 Our room had plenty of storage space.  Then we had a long ride to the
diving site (about 30 hours or so) but we enjoyed relaxing and sleeping and
visiting.  Captain Mike, who also owns the boat, was on top of everything.
They could have used another ice machine, but other than that, the boat was
well stocked and very clean.  The staff was friendly and helpful.  Everyone
was required to attend the dive briefing the night prior to diving.  The
chef, Vickie, was from New Zealand, and although she prepared some unique
dishes that were uncommon to us "southerners", I rather enjoyed
the variety!  The food was hot and plentiful.  The diving was great!  We
saw mantas, sharks, hammerheads and dolphins.  Whales were seen at a
distance. We were told we could "interact" with the mantas, on
their terms.  We would reach our hand up, and the mantas would glide over
our hands.  We were not allowed to "ride" the mantas, and we were
warned if we did that, our trip would be over.  We were told not to pet the
top of the mantas as well.  We did some planned "blue water"
dives, which were great.  Many saw schools of hammerheads.  We also saw a
den of white tip sharks.  Nitrox and steel tanks were available for a fee. 
Safety stops were highly encouraged.  Gloves and lights are not allowed. 
Safety sausages and Dive Alerts were provided.  One girl went sailing while
others kayaked.  The hot tub was always inviting!  We spent the evenings
either looking at each other's photos, or viewing the videos that were shot
during the day.  Movies were available for those who preferred that.  Our
room was a little warm (no top sheets were on the beds, just a comforter,
which was a little warm) but we had 2 fans.  There was plenty of hot water.
 Overall, it was a great way to ring in the new year! 

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