Dive Review of Nautilus Explorer in
Mexico (Western)/Baja California

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Nautilus Explorer: "Magdalena Bay Sardine Run: Beyond My Wildest Dream", Nov, 2023, by Judy Orange, CA, US ( Sr. Reviewer 8 reports with 8 Helpful votes). Report 12780 has 1 Helpful vote.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Diving with bait balls have always been on my bucket list, and as soon as I see "Magdalena Bay Sardine Run" on the liveaboard the Nautilus Gallant Lady, Nov 11-18, 2023, I signed up for it back in December, 2022. The trip is chartered by our LDS (www.oceansafariscuba.com). The sardine chase is mainly done by snorkeling or free diving, although scuba diving is also available for 2 days at dive sites closer to the mainland. The area is not fully explored and there are few established dive sites. In fact, 4 days of spotting bait balls are done on pangas operated by subcontractors from Cabo San Lucas. The success of these sardine runs entirely depends on the skill of the panga captains as they have to navigate in open water away from the coastline, sometimes for hours at a time. They mostly rely on bird behavior, such as that of pelicans, to locate these bait balls, and when they spot them, they have to kill the engines at the right moment so that we could jump into the water at a safe but close distance from the action. Supposedly the sardines run in circles, sometimes in spiralling formations at dizzying speed, to protect themselves from predators. These bait balls would create a feeding frenzy among marlins, dorados or dolphin fish, bonitos, and sea lions. We have witnessed an entire bait ball being devoured by their natural predators. The hapless sardines would also behave as if we are their safe havens. Some of us are engulfed by swirling sardines as part of their centrifugal action. One could reach out a hand and grab a sardine. One time, bait and predators attempt to follow me back to the panga. The sardines would often form a single ball, but sometimes the little fish converge and disperse in wavy patterns, their silvery bodies sparkling in the blue water like shooting stars in a night sky, a spectacle that far exceeds any videos I’ve seen. As a variation from this epic drama of nature’s food chain, one day is dedicated to chasing whales, and we are rewarded by several encounters with humpback whales. As soon as they appear on the surface to breathe however, they would dive down and disappear at lightning speed into the deep. There is also a fascinating boat ride through the mangroves and a stroll on land through the sand dunes, another well-known local attraction. The scuba diving is somewhat marred by low visibility and surge. But the mix of temperate and tropical flora and fauna is intriguing, and the wreck of the WWI submarine Seawolf, full of colorful gorgonians, invertebrates and fish, is a delight. Although this trip is done mainly by snorkeling or free diving, it is more suitable for intrepid, advance divers who can handle the unpredictability of the open sea and wildlife. Safety is foremost as a consideration for the Nautilus and we are issued individual lifeline signaling devices while diving or snorkeling. At the start of the cruise, a full safety drill is conducted. Other venues may offer a similar itinerary, but the Nautilus arguably provides the most creature comforts, and thanks to the exemplary skill, experience and dedication of the panga captains, we come away with an experience that is truly extraordinary.
Websites	Nautilus Explorer
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	California, Papua New Guinea, Red Sea, Fiji, Hawaii, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Panama, etc.
Closest Airport	Cabo San Lucas	Getting There	Southwest airline nonstop from Orange County
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, dry	Seas	surge
Water Temp	75-77°F / 24-25°C	Wetsuit Thickness	5
Water Visibility	50- Ft/ 15- M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	[Unspecified]
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	no
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	> 2
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals	N/A	Tropical Fish	N/A
Small Critters	N/A	Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	No bucket for camera in pangas, bucket on dive deck of main boat, adequate charging outlets in salon/dining area and in cabins, no unattended charging on boat, overnight watchman

Report currently has 1 Helpful vote

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Dive Review of Nautilus Explorer in Mexico (Western)/Baja California

Nautilus Explorer: "Magdalena Bay Sardine Run: Beyond My Wildest Dream", Nov, 2023,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Nautilus Explorer in
Mexico (Western)/Baja California