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Dive Review of Nautilus Explorer in
Mexico (Western)/Revillagigedos Islands

Nautilus Explorer, Jan, 2009,

by Michael J. Millet, CA, USA (Top Contributor Top Contributor 91 reports with 57 Helpful votes). Report 4632.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Up until less than a week before embarking, the information that I had received from NE was that we would be leaving from the marina in San Jose Del Cabo. Luckily, I happened to peruse the online NE newsletter to learn that the boat was actually leaving from Cabo San Lucas. This required the canceling and booking of hotels. NE should have done a better job in letting us know what was going on. Double check this before you depart.

It is about a 26-28 hour boat ride out to/from San Benedicto Island so bring something to read and your Bonine if prone to seasickness. We had flat seas this trip.

The diving at the Boiler at SBI was superb with a great manta encounter. Unfortunately, due to conditions, we only did 2 dives here. The rest of the dives at SBI were at the Canyon. The viz was low. Did manage about 90 seconds with a school of hammerheads (about 15 sharks).

Next, we dived at Socorro Island for 2 days; had a great manta encounter and also a fantastic encounter with about 5 dolphins. SI had rather low viz and a steady current.

The last 2 dive days were spent at Roca Partida, an interesting looking seamount. The viz was over 100' with little current. We had great manta encounters; one for over 20 minutes.
Also, many sharks -- whitetips, silvertips, Galapagos and hammerheads. Lots of eels, too.
Also, had another dolphin encounter. Lots of whale sightings at the surface.

The diving in the Revillagigedos can be challenging but it's well worth it.

The NE is a very comfortable boat. We had an upper-deck suite which was plenty spacious. This was my 3rd time on this boat. It seemed to me that the food, although plentiful and tasty, was not as good as my previous trips. The crew were all very helpful and friendly; also very knowledgeable re: the marine life and dive sights.

When we disembarked, Mike Lever, the owner, came on board. It was too bad that he didn't take the time to meet and greet us; thank us for our business. Not good customer relations. Nevertheless, I would still dive on this boat again.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Palau, Yap, Truk, Solomon Islands, Coral Sea, Galapagos, Fiji, Vanuatu, all over the Caribbean.
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy, surge, currents
Water Temp 74-76°F / 23-24°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 20-120 Ft/ 6-37 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No deco diving; no longer than 1 hour dives; no night dives
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 1 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments The Nautilus Explorer has a decent sized camera table with adequate battery charging capabilities. No compressed air for drying housings. Unfortunately, the camera table is very near to the designated smoking area. Cough, Cough.

Most of the diving is from inflatables; one had to be diligent and aggressive to be sure that his/her camera was loaded on the rubber boat.

To minimize the handling of camera gear and due to the dive conditions, it is recommended that you hold on to your camera while doing back rolls from the inflatables.
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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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